When I look back on my 25-year educational career, I’m very grateful. 

I began my career as a high-school teacher, and from there went to graduate school to earn my Masters of Arts in Teaching. Then, I was a middle school mathematics teacher for fourteen years. I served as a mathematics coordinator and instructional coach. I worked as an adjunct faculty member instructing teacher training courses. I served as a Professional Development Specialist and a Manager for an Instructional Coaching Program for the District of Columbia Public Schools. I worked as an assessment specialist for the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in Washington, D.C. And I went on to serve as a Training and Staffing Director for an educational non-profit. 

Whew! I’m exhausting just writing all of that. 

But the truth is, each job was wonderful!

Sure, they had their challenges, but being a teacher and an educational administrator were fantastic opportunities. 

But, I wanted to do something “more.”

I’m often asked by educators how I got out of the classroom and started my own business. In fact, I was presenting at a conference several years ago, and a participant came up to me after and told me she wanted “my career path.” I was honored and humbled. 

Our “next advancement opportunity” is whatever we want. 

We get to choose how we want to define it and how we want to create it. 

When I was teaching, I have always worked another job. 

It’s just part of many teachers’ lives.

I started a tutoring and consulting business, where I tutored everyone from elementary mathematics to SAT prep. I also consulted with a textbook publisher as well as an educational technology company. I was developing content, giving workshops, and reviewing textbooks. 

Oh, and I was also making money. The money I was earning was a great supplement to my teaching income. It allowed me to pay off some debt and set aside some money for some projects and vacations. It’s important to acknowledge that it’s okay to make money. Honoring our financial obligations and wishes, allows us to take care of our responsibilities such as rent, utilities, cars, etc., take care of our loved one, donate to charities, and have some fun as well.

I always enjoyed “the other part of my workday.”

Something was exciting about meeting with my tutoring students or going home and doing consulting work. Sure, I loved being in the classroom. But when I made that switch, I felt different, and I needed to listen to that inner voice. 

But every time I wanted to create my next advancement opportunity, it was out of a desire to do something bigger than I was currently doing. 

When I made the decision to leave the classroom and take an administrative job leading other coaches and teachers, it was far more significant than I was previously doing. But I also knew it was time. It was time for me to move out of the classroom because I felt as if I was getting stale. I was “too comfortable,” and it wasn’t fair to the kids. Sure, the kids were great. But my heart wasn’t into it as much as it once was. It was time for me to do the right thing, and own where I was at (My third strategy in how to SHOW UP professionally and energetically) and progress.

2017 was a pivotal year for my career. I had every intention of taking my coach training and bringing it into my organization, but that wasn’t meant to be. After much consideration, planning, business coaching, and a lot of heartfelt talks, I made the decision to launch my coaching practice full-time. 

Currently, I help professionals who are ambitious about their careers, create their next advancement opportunity. I help people find their passion and go to work satisfied. I help them get a internal promotion. I help leaders develop their teams and grow their organizations. I help people pivot to create something different which might be securing a new position or growing their side hustle so they too can ultimately launch their own business.  And I deliver workshops, seminars, and keynotes as well.

Today, I LOVE owning my business. I enjoy every aspect that comes from it, but mostly, I enjoy being able to connect with people and help them lead a more satisfying and gratifying career. After all, life really is too short to go to work feeling miserable and feeling as if you are not making the impact you know you want to make. 

And I talk to a lot of teachers who want the same thing. 

They are looking for something outside of the classroom, and I get to help them achieve their dreams.

If you want to learn more about creating your next advancement opportunity, email me at john@johnneral.comor check out https://johnneral.comfor more information and download my free workbook, “Three Steps to Creating Your Next Advancement Opportunity Without Feeling Overwhelmed.”