You spend a lot of time at work. Don't you deserve to love what you are doing?
NICE TO MEET YOU
I'm John Neral
After a 25-year career in education that took me from the middle school mathematics classroom to working for a state superintendent and an educational non-profit, I launched my coaching practice full-time to help people be happier in their careers.
I remember what it was like being unhappy in my career. I remember wanting "more" but wasn't sure what that looked like. I remember beating myself up because I didn't "have it all figured out at mid-career." It was all normal and part of the process we go through along our professional journeys.
Today, I help mid-career professionals who feel stuck, undervalued, and underutilized SHOW UP to find a job they love or love the job they have by helping them build a professional GPS to get there.
My Story
I was a classroom teacher for 16 years. I loved every minute of it. It was a great job and I enjoyed teaching and watching my students grow. But in 2010, I knew I wanted to do something different. I was getting “stale” and “tired” of teaching and wanted to make a bigger impact. So I left my wonderfully tenured and secure teaching position to work as a Professional Development Specialist and Manager of an Instructional Coaching program in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). I worked with a team of 21 instructional coaches across 13 middle schools. Together, we built an amazing team, set clear expectations for our performance and the performance of the teachers whom we supported and worked directly at impacting student achievement.
The following year, I had an opportunity to work at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in Washington, D.C. There I worked with our local education agencies and helped lead a transition of their assessment to a new set of standards.
From there, another opportunity presented itself and I went to work for an education non-profit, still working on assessment but also helping to lead a team and build an onboarding program. I am particularly proud of this work because it directly supported team members as they transitioned into the organization.
"With John's help, I successfully landed three great offers in a period of 2 weeks. I cannot thank John enough for his help."
- Siddharth Dhing
"I can't speak highly enough about John's support and guidance in finding a new job. He truly listens to you and supports your journey through transitioning during one of the hardest times in your life!"
- Carrie Lang
"Because of John, I was able to successfully transition from a toxic work environment into a new career field. From our first meeting, John was the epitome of professionalism. His thought-provoking questions opened up my understanding of myself both personally and professionally in every meeting. I felt like John really understood me. Thanks to John, I have successfully transitioned to a new career."
- Heidi Schuster
Why I Am A Coach
Across all of my jobs, I have done some sort of coaching. Coaching is energizing, thought-provoking and most importantly, empowering. I have worked with people across a variety of levels and organizations, but the energy mid-career professionals possess is magnetic.
I appreciate the people I've coached and am proud of them for the ways they “SHOW UP” and went after that next career opportunity.
When asked why I am a coach, the answer is simple. I truly enjoy helping people focus and take steps toward the goals important to them. To me, it’s about a connection and helping people work toward the career and life they dream.
