A More Human Way to Understand Your Teaching Career
A More Human Way to Understand Your Teaching Career
Teaching is often described as a progression. We talk about beginning teachers, experienced teachers, leaders. It sounds simple, structured, and linear.
But if you have spent any time in the profession, you know that is not how it feels.
At different points in your career, you may feel energised and inspired, deeply connected to your purpose and making a meaningful impact. At other times, you may feel uncertain, questioning what is next, or simply trying to sustain the energy to keep going. And sometimes, without warning, that sense of clarity shifts. What once felt right begins to feel heavy, and the question quietly emerges, “Is this still for me?”
The reality is that a teaching career is not a straight path. It is a cycle. One that moves through phases of growth, stability, fulfilment, questioning, disconnection, and renewal. These phases can happen at any point in your career. You might experience them as a new teacher, or years later as a leader stepping into a new role. You may move forward, pause, revisit a phase, or find yourself somewhere unexpected.
What matters is not where you should be, but where you are.
I also recognise that no two teaching journeys look the same. My own path has never followed a conventional route. I have lived and worked in different countries, moved between city and regional settings, and embraced a career that allows for movement, change, and exploration. I am someone who often finds myself thriving in a role while also feeling curious about what else is possible. That sense of exploration is part of who I am.
At the same time, I know that this is not everyone’s experience. Many educators find deep fulfilment in stability, in building long-term relationships, and in being part of a consistent school community. For some, the idea of staying, sustaining, and growing within one place brings a strong sense of purpose and belonging.
This is why it is so important to understand that there is no single “right” way to move through a teaching career. The journey is not about fitting into a prescribed path, but about recognising where you are, what you need, and what feels aligned for you at that point in time.
When you are able to recognise your current phase, something shifts. You gain language for what you are experiencing. You begin to understand your wellbeing, your energy, and your needs more clearly. And from there, you can make more intentional choices about how to move forward.
This is why I created the Teacher Career Wellbeing Progression Framework. It is a reflective tool designed to help educators, mentors, and leaders better understand the journey of teaching in a way that feels human, not linear.
It is not about labels or judgement. It is about awareness, support, and renewal.
At Release to Rise, this is the work we do.
We support teachers and leaders to navigate their professional journey with greater clarity, confidence, and self-awareness. Whether you are feeling energised and ready to grow, questioning your next step, or considering a change, we help you make career decisions with insight and a sense of mastery over your direction.
Through coaching, reflection, and practical tools, we create space for you to pause, understand where you are, and move forward in a way that is aligned, sustainable, and meaningful.
Because every phase has value.
And every teacher deserves to feel supported within it.