20 After Teaching Careers if You Want to Leave the Classroom.

So yesterday we talked about special education teacher salaries. But maybe, you’re already there. But what if you go to school, get the degree, land the job, and then… hate it?

What careers after teaching are there? Is education or special education too niche of a degree to do anything else? Absolutely not!

Like, not just “I need a break” hate it. I mean the “this job is draining the life out of me and I’m Googling ‘remote jobs no meetings’ during lunch” kind of hate it.

You’re not broken. And you’re not alone.

Let’s talk about what comes after teaching. Because yes, there is life after the classroom. And no, you didn’t waste your degree.

Why Teachers Quit

1. Burnout – It’s real. And it’s not just “I’m tired.” It’s “I’ve lost all joy and my blood pressure spikes when I see my inbox.”
2. Low pay – See: yesterday’s post. It’s not getting better.
3. Lack of support – From admin, from parents, from literally everyone.
4. Behavioral challenges – Especially in special ed. And especially when no one is backing you up.
5. Paperwork mountain – “I got into teaching for the endless documentation,” said no one ever.
6. You changed – And that’s okay. Sometimes the job fits… until it doesn’t.
7. Retirement – Sometimes teachers want to hit that minimum mark for a pension, and that may only be 20 or 25 years. At that point, most of us are not ready to retire because we’re not even 50 years old and the pension isn’t enough to live on …. so, like a second act.

Careers After Teaching: Ideas for What’s Next

Here’s a list of after-teaching careers, using the skills you already have. Spoiler: You don’t have to start from scratch.

1. Special Education Advocate: Use that IEP knowledge for good. Help parents navigate the system (without losing their minds).
2. Principal or Admin: Hear me out– being an admin is not stress-free by any means, but it’s a different kind of stress. Moving up in ranks in your district might be the scenery change you need. At least see what the requirements are for a principal’s certificate and such.
3. Adjunct College Professor: Many colleges are getting away from tenured faculty positions and hiring adjunct instead. In most cases, you need at least a Masters degree.
4. Instructional Designer: Build training courses and materials. It’s like lesson planning, but for adults… and usually with better pay.
5. Education Consultant: Work with schools, districts, or ed-tech companies. Guide curriculum decisions, professional development, etc.
6. Corporate Trainer: You already know how to manage a group and explain concepts. This is just doing that… without a classroom full of 14-year-olds.
7. Curriculum Developer: Design learning programs and materials. You’ve done it before—this time you’ll be paid for it.
8. IEP Coach or Parent Trainer: Yep, parents need help. You’ve got the background. Provide workshops, consulting, or 1:1 support.
9. Speech or Reading Specialist (with cert): Want to stay in the field but not in the classroom? Specialize. Bonus: smaller caseloads, focused work.
10. Freelance Writer / Blogger: Know your stuff? Write about it. Or ghostwrite for someone else. Education is a niche that pays.
11. Homeschool Consultant or Evaluator: More parents are homeschooling. They need support and guidance. That could be you.
12. Case Manager or Service Coordinator: Work with agencies or nonprofits, helping families access the services they need. Familiar territory.
13. Therapeutic Support Staff / Behavioral Tech: Still working with kids, but with a clinical focus. Many of these roles offer on-the-job training.
14. Academic Coach or Tutor: One-on-one. No IEP meetings. No staff meetings. Just helping kids learn.
15. Specialist in your Topic: What did you teach? Math? Look for math apps and websites and see if they need content creators. You taught English or LA? Look for editing and writing jobs. SS/History? Is a local museum or historical society hiring? See where I’m going?
16. Library/Media Specialist: Many schools hire for this role with a teaching certificate. It’s a more peaceful, tech-integrated job.
17. Education Policy Analyst or Lobbyist: Get into systems change. Use your experience to influence legislation or work with advocacy orgs.
18. Virtual Assistant for Ed-Based Businesses: Help curriculum companies, consultants, or coaches with backend stuff. Bonus: sweatpants and no commute.
19. You’re Organized: Teachers are some of the most organized and resourceful people I know. What can you turn that into– a professional organizer? Wedding planner? Party planner? Personal assistant, executive assistant…. no one knows how to juggle multiple demands like a teacher.
20. Start your own business: If it seems scary, do it as a side hustle first. Follow your dreams. Seriously– not enough people do that anymore.

So… Now What?

You didn’t fail. You just outgrew a system that was never set up to support you.

There’s no shame in that.

If you’re eyeing that “advocate” option, I’ve got a whole training built for people just like you. Teachers who’ve lived it, and now want to help others survive it.

Learn more about becoming a Special Education Advocate here. Shameless self promotion: my online training is the best out there. And…it offers small business set up and support. Advocates regularly meet to discuss the business sides of things. How to get started, what to charge clients, contracts and much more.

Still in the classroom for now? That’s okay too. But keep this list handy for when you’re ready to peace out.