Making the Switch as a K-5 Teacher

At Miaplaza, we know that leaving the classroom for a new career can be daunting. Sudden change can be difficult, especially if you’ve been teaching for years.?

To take some of the pressure off and help you feel more confident, we’ve interviewed four of our amazing K-5 developers about their experiences making the switch! In this article, see the personal experiences of our K-5 teachers making the big jump from the classroom to Miaplaza:

What made you choose Mia??

• “I wanted to continue to work in education after leaving the classroom, build my skills in curriculum and instruction, and work in an environment that was supportive of me and my growth.”
• “The people! During my interview process, every single person that I talked to was not only kind and welcoming, but also spoke to me in a way that revealed they already saw me as an expert in my field. Feeling like I have a voice at work and can advocate for what is best for students is very important to me, and it was clear from the interview process that I would find that here -- and I have!”
• “There were a few different reasons I chose Mia but a big part of it was how open, genuine, and friendly everyone was throughout every step of the application/interview process. Beyond that, the work life balance that was described by the interviewer and the employees I reached out to sounded like the perfect fit, especially knowing I'd still be able to use the skills I learned as an educator to provide quality materials for kids.”
• “The job description - it felt like it was describing me and exactly what I wanted to do with my teaching experience.”

What was something you were worried about when leaving the classroom??

• “Feeling like I was a part of a community. I was definitely worried about feeling isolated while working remotely, as well as missing the students.”
• “I have chronic imposter syndrome, so I had a fear that since 'teaching' was all that I had ever done, I wouldn't actually have the skills needed to do something outside of the classroom. Boy, was I wrong! The multitude of skills we practice every day as teachers are applicable elsewhere -- it's just a matter of deciding on which skills you enjoy the most and finding a career path that utilizes those skills frequently. For me, I wanted a job where I could continue with the skills of creativity, data analysis, critical thinking, and multitasking. I found that here at Miaplaza!”
• “Being a teacher felt like an ingrained part of my identity; I was worried I would feel like the work I was doing wasn't meaningful or impacting anyone. Working at Mia has allowed me to keep using my skills and knowledge from teaching in a new and exciting way.”
• “I was worried about losing my connection and time with students. Any student put in my class would be successful, because I took the time to get to know them - their quirks, their strengths, their frustrations, their learning styles, their interests, their passions, everything. Each class became a family and I knew leaving that would be hard. However, I've found that I keep all those students in mind when creating my content and know they'd all get something out of it. I also get to work with students at MOHS through academic advising, hosting Minecraft Club, and being a guest speaker. So I still get my student interaction, it's just a little different now.”

What was something that surprised you about leaving the classroom??

• “Students are still the center of everything we do, even if we don't get to meet with them face-to-face each day.”
• “I was a classroom teacher for my entire career up until transitioning to Miaplaza, so I didn't even realize that it was possible to work a job where you don't feel micromanaged. "What's best for students," has always been top-of-mind for me as an educator, but now I don't have to try to balance that against constant and unyielding demands (that often went against my beliefs about what was developmentally appropriate for students: state testing, clip charts, a lack of play and social-emotional learning embedded into the curriculum, etc). Now, I can focus on what I KNOW is best for students and put all of my effort into creating quality content that will produce positive results.”
• “I was surprised how many transferable skills I actually was able to bring to a new role and just how many things teachers are expected to do, and do really well. Running a classroom is like managing 25 employees, their personal projects and goals for a year, the needs of their parents and other family members, the needs of district and even governmental stakeholders, ALL while balancing their physical, mental, and emotional needs as well. We really do gain and use an immense number of skills that other employers value. Another aspect that's very surprising is how much of teaching is people telling you to do things for the kids, to take on more and handle more work because that's what's best for kids. But it's not always what's best for the teachers and staff, who are also human beings with their own lives and needs. Being out of a system and working at a place that truly values the work we do AND values us as people with our own lives and needs has been the biggest, most positive adjustment about leaving the classroom.”
• “I actually discovered this back in 2020, but I'm shocked at how productive and focused I can be working from home. I didn't realize just how distracting the school environment was. It really makes me wonder what systems we could have in place for students that also learn better in less stimulating environments and what options are out there.”

Going from the classroom to Miaplaza can be a big change, but as our K-5 developers shared, it’s full of rewarding opportunities. They’ve found a supportive environment where their skills are valued, and they can still make a meaningful impact in education. If their stories have inspired you, why not consider making the switch yourself? We’re hiring K-5 curriculum developers now!