Welcome Session with Prizes, Prep, and What to Expect.

If you’ve been stuck in career confusion—applying for jobs you’re not even sure you want, second-guessing your skills, or wondering if you’ll ever feel confident again—you are not alone.

In this keynote session, Lisa Harding, co-founder of the Teacher Career Transition Academy, shares what she’s learned from working with thousands of teachers navigating life beyond the classroom. You’ll get a powerful, honest look at what it really takes to change careers—and why so many teachers stall out along the way.

More than inspiration, this session offers clarity: a new way to understand where you are, what’s holding you back, and how to move forward with purpose.

This session sets the tone for the entire day—and will help you get the most out of every panel, conversation, and opportunity that follows.

💡 Key Takeaways:
• A clear breakdown of what career change actually looks like for teachers (and why it’s not your fault if it feels hard)
• The hidden stages of a successful transition—and how to recognize where you are right now
• What’s keeping so many teachers stuck (hint: it’s not just your resume)
• How to finally build momentum—without going back to school, starting over, or guessing your way forward

 You’ve set up your LinkedIn profile… now what?

If you’re feeling stuck about what to post—or nervous about showing up publicly while you’re still in the classroom—this session is for you.

Join us to learn exactly how to use LinkedIn as a visibility tool without needing to announce you’re leaving teaching. You’ll discover how to engage intentionally, share content that builds your credibility, and get noticed by recruiters and career changers alike—even if you don’t know your next step yet.

In this session, you'll learn:
• What types of posts are safe and effective while career exploring
• How to comment with purpose to boost your visibility
• Why engagement matters—and how it gets you seen by the right people
• Easy post ideas (even if you're nervous or stuck!)
• Common LinkedIn posting mistakes to avoid as a career changer

Whether you’re actively job searching or just starting to explore your options, this session will give you the confidence and clarity to start showing up on LinkedIn with intention.

Ever wonder how former teachers actually land jobs outside the classroom—and what hiring managers are really looking for?

In this behind-the-scenes panel, four former teachers turned corporate leaders pull back the curtain on the hiring process—and what makes a former educator stand out.

You’ll hear from:

· Steven Anderson, engineering solutions for schools at PowerSchool

· Timothy Gwynn, now leading global learning at Krispy Kreme

· Nicholas Provenzano, managing training and content at SchoolAI

Together, they’ll share the lessons they’ve learned from both sides of the career transition—how they navigated the leap, what helped them succeed, and what they now look for when hiring former teachers.

If you’ve ever thought, “Could I really make a move like that?”—this session will show you the answer is yes.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• What hiring managers look for in former teachers
• How to confidently position your teaching experience on a resume or in an interview
• The biggest mistakes teachers make when applying—and how to avoid them
• Encouragement and advice from educators who have successfully made the leap—and now help others do the same

What does it really look like to leave teaching and start over?

In this honest and inspiring panel, former educators share the behind-the-scenes stories of how they made the leap—from self-doubt and identity shifts to confidence, clarity, and new careers they love.

You’ll hear from:

· Katie Fielding, Content Manager at Book Creator

· Amy Donato, Instructional Coaching and Professional Learning at Elevate K12

· Holly Owens, Instructional Designer

You’ll hear their real stories of how they navigated uncertainty, overcame imposter syndrome, explored new possibilities, and found their footing outside of education. Each panelist brings a unique path, industry, and perspective—but all share one powerful message: it’s possible, and you’re not alone.

Whether you're just beginning to explore new paths or in the thick of your job search, this session will remind you that reinvention is within reach.

💡 Key Takeaways:
· Candid stories from teachers who’ve successfully changed careers
· Insights into new and different career paths
· Confidence-building insights and mindset shifts that helped them move forward
· Real talk on the emotional side of career change—and how to navigate it
· Encouragement and practical advice from people who’ve been exactly where you are

Your resume isn’t just a document—it’s your first impression. But if you’re still using the language, format, and tone of a teaching resume, it might be the very thing standing between you and your next opportunity.

In this eye-opening session, we’ll break down the 5 most common resume mistakes former teachers make—and show you exactly how to fix them. You’ll learn how to translate your experience, highlight your value, and write resume content that actually resonates with hiring managers outside of education.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or tweaking what you have, this session will help you create a resume that works for you—not against you.

💡 Key Takeaways:
· Why teacher-focused language confuses non-education employers (and what to say instead)
· How to replace vague responsibilities with impact-driven bullet points
· Where to showcase transferable skills that matter in the corporate world
· What formatting issues turn hiring managers off (and how to clean it up fast)
· How to tailor your resume to stand out in any industry

Wrap up your day with this high-energy closing session! We’ll celebrate your progress, give away some exciting prizes, and share practical tips to help you keep moving forward in your career transition. If you’ve been wondering how to build on everything you learned today—this is the session you don’t want to miss.