Leaving the Classroom: A Teacher Transition Podcast

Leaving the Classroom Podcast: How to Start a Microschool with KaiPod CEO Amar Kumar | 36

In this episode of Leaving the Classroom podcast, host Kristi Oliva interviews Amar Kumar, CEO of KaiPod Learning.

Tune in to hear:

- About KaiPod Learning, a company that helps educators start their own microschools. Amar discusses how microschools can provide a personalized learning experience for students while also giving teachers more flexibility and impact.

- About KaiPod's Catalyst program, which provides training and resources for teachers interested in starting their own microschool. The program helps educators develop business plans, find funding, and get their microschool up and running.

- Examples of different types of microschools, from ones focused on student athletes or neurodiverse learners to schools targeting gifted students. Amar discusses how microschools can meet the needs of diverse learners.

Connect with Kristi on LinkedIn

Connect with Amar on LinkedIn

This podcast is sponsored by IDOL Courses and is the only authorized vocational school and implementation program of its kind that not only shows you exactly how to create your job application assets and build a portfolio from scratch, but also includes credentials, mentorship, expert coaching, and paid experience opportunities in corporate instructional design and online learning for life! Learn more about the program here.

Leaving the Classroom Podcast: Day in the Life of a Non-Profit ID with Pamela Wynter | 35

In this episode of Leaving the Classroom, host Kristi Oliva interviews Pamela Wynter about her experience transitioning from teaching to becoming an instructional designer at a nonprofit organization. Pamela discusses her background as a teacher and how she discovered IDOL Academy, deciding to make the transition out of the classroom. She describes her journey through the IDOL program and landing a job as a senior manager and instructional designer at the American Diabetes Association. Pamela also discusses her daily responsibilities in her remote role and how she applies skills from her teaching experience.

 

Tune in to hear:

1. How Pamela committed fully to IDOL Academy, treating it like a full-time job to successfully transition out of teaching.
2. The importance of networking on LinkedIn and putting yourself out there through consistent posting to attract opportunities aligned with your passions.
3. Strategies Pamela uses from her teaching experience that serve her well in her new role, like organization, discipline, and flexibility.

 

Connect with Kristi on LinkedIn

Connect with Pamela on LinkedIn

This podcast is sponsored by IDOL Courses and is the only authorized vocational school and implementation program of its kind that not only shows you exactly how to create your job application assets and build a portfolio from scratch, but also includes credentials, mentorship, expert coaching, and paid experience opportunities in corporate instructional design and online learning for life! Learn more about the program here.

Leaving the Classroom Podcast: Day in the Life of a Corporate ID with Samiya Hai | 34

In this episode of Day in the Life of a Corporate ID with Samiya Hai, Kristi Oliva interviews her friend Samiya about her career transition from teaching to becoming an instructional designer. 

Tune in to hear:

• How Samiya decided to make the change from her 15-year teaching career after feeling unsafe returning to the classroom during the pandemic
• That through the IDOL courses Academy program, Samiya was able to get her first instructional design job at Cigna within 6 months of starting the program
• Some of the skills Samiya brought over from teaching, like relationship building and being a self-starter, that served her well in her corporate roles

Leaving the Classroom Podcast: 3 Steps to Leave the Classroom | 33

In this episode host Kristi Oliva discusses three steps for teachers who want to leave the classroom for a new career. She talks about picking a new career path through research and networking, discusses rewriting your resume to focus on results and skills instead of just tasks, and addresses practicing interviewing skills since interviews are important for getting jobs outside of teaching.

 

Tune in to find out:

 

- Why picking a new career path through research and networking is important

- Why rewriting your resume to focus on results and skills instead of just tasks is necessary 

- Why practicing interviewing skills is crucial for getting jobs outside of teaching

Connect with Kristi on LinkedIn 

This podcast is sponsored by IDOL Courses and is the only authorized vocational school and implementation program of its kind that not only shows you exactly how to create your job application assets and build a portfolio from scratch, but also includes credentials, mentorship, expert coaching, and paid experience opportunities in corporate instructional design and online learning for life! Learn more about the program here.

Leaving the Classroom Podcast: Day in the Life of a Corporate Instructional Designer with Amanda Kulik | 32

In this episode, Kristi Oliva interviews Amanda Kulik about her experience transitioning from teaching to becoming a corporate instructional designer. Amanda details her journey from getting her master's degree to finding IDOL courses Academy to landing her first instructional design job.

 

Tune in to find out:

1. Her journey from getting her master's degree and teaching for 15 years to discovering IDOL courses Academy and landing her first instructional design job within a few months of completing the program.
2. The differences between her contract role and full-time corporate roles, including benefits, team structure, and ability to see projects through.
3. The skills she uses from teaching like communication, organization, and writing that have translated well to her current role as an instructional designer.

Connect with Kristi on LinkedIn 

Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn

This podcast is sponsored by IDOL Courses and is the only authorized vocational school and implementation program of its kind that not only shows you exactly how to create your job application assets and build a portfolio from scratch, but also includes credentials, mentorship, expert coaching, and paid experience opportunities in corporate instructional design and online learning for life! Learn more about the program here.

Leaving the Classroom Podcast: 3 Ways to Adapt to a Male-Dominated Team | 31

In this episode, Kristi Oliva discusses three ways she has learned to adapt to working in a male-dominated corporate environment after transitioning from the female-dominated field of teaching. She talks about managing her emotions, participating in meetings, and stopping unnecessary apologizing. The goal of the podcast is to help other teachers gain confidence and skills to make a career change.

 

Tune in to find out:

- The three ways Kristi Oliva has learned to adapt to working in a male-dominated corporate environment after transitioning from teaching, including managing emotions, participating in meetings, and stopping unnecessary apologizing

 

- How Kristi Oliva manages her emotions in meetings by listening more than speaking, taking notes, and not taking things personally

 

- How Kristi Oliva participates in meetings with colleagues she sees as smarter than her by speaking up, asking questions, and showing her full attention

 

Connect with Kristi on LinkedIn.

This podcast is sponsored by IDOL Courses and is the only authorized vocational school and implementation program of its kind that not only shows you exactly how to create your job application assets and build a portfolio from scratch, but also includes credentials, mentorship, expert coaching, and paid experience opportunities in corporate instructional design and online learning for life! Learn more about the program here.

Leaving the Classroom Podcast: Embrace Your Potential. Beat Self-Sabotage | 30

In this episode, we discuss how to overcome self-sabotage and embrace your potential. 

 

Tune in to find out…

 

1) Identifying patterns of self-sabotage and finding where you dismiss yourself before others get a chance.

 

2) Embracing challenges like getting 100 rejections as a way to take opportunities without fear of rejection.

 

3) Keeping a record or journal of rejections to track progress and reframe rejection as a non-emotional challenge rather than a blow to self-worth.

 

Connect with Kristi on LinkedIn

 

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

3 Ways to Cultivate an Abundance Mindset | Episode 29

In this episode, the host Kristi Oliva discusses the importance of cultivating an abundance mindset and how it can lead to happiness, success and fulfillment. She shares three ways to develop an abundance mindset: awareness, challenging scarcity thoughts, and surrounding yourself with abundance-minded people.