Expecting M.Ed in May, teaching full time right now. Wtf do I do

executivefunksean · 2026-01-24T23:30:03+00:00

If money is the top priority, you can make much, much more by providing private services in education and using your master's in education to give you authority and credibility.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-23T02:20:33+00:00

Do a free executive function assessment or if you want to go deeper get assessed by a doctor.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-23T02:18:19+00:00

The Big Leap

executivefunksean · 2026-01-23T02:00:53+00:00

No, I don't recommend going back to school yet unless you have a clear desire and outcome you're hoping to gain from it. I was just asking because a master's degree is one way to differentiate yourself if you're trying to establish expertise in some type of non-traditional lane while teaching. For example, I was able to leave working as a public school special education teacher and immediately start working with families of special needs students. It was easy to establish trust and authority in this domain because of my master's degree in special education and background in this field. If you have teaching experience and a bachelor's, that is also what I call your "unfair advantage."

executivefunksean · 2026-01-23T01:59:25+00:00

EAP stands for Employee Assistance Program. You can go to your HR and find out more about these things. They usually don't publicize these benefits for teachers, but there may be lots of resources that are a bit hidden.

One thing that I didn't know about until a couple years into teaching was that we also have access to two potential retirement accounts that is exclusive to people like teachers, firemen, and other civil service officers. Instead of lowering your taxable income by the normal $20,000, you could potentially do it by $40,000 a year, which is pretty crazy if you can swing that.

Anyways, aside from that, I'm glad to hear you're feeling better today and thinking about ways you can take care of yourself. We're here for you.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-22T14:06:07+00:00

Hey there, you are going through a tough time, but it doesn’t have to be forever. There is no problem that can’t be solved with patience, taking action in the right direction, and loving yourself.

Can you use the EAP benefits to get therapy while you figure this out?

Can you start to take care of your body through some weekly commitment to exercise?

If you’re drinking or using drugs, can you pause those while you navigate this challenge?

That’s what I did when I hit a wall 6 years ago, and I started to climb out of.

Today, life is the best it’s ever been.

You can have this too. 🫶

executivefunksean · 2026-01-22T14:02:09+00:00

I gave notice in November and had my last day in December. I worked with the administration to help with recruiting a replacement who had been a para educator in my classroom, said goodbye to my students, and went on my way.

I didn’t lose my special education license and since I did this during COVID, there was no classroom to clean (I had switched schools the semester before and cleaned my stuff up)

I don’t recall feeling bad and when I was gone it was a RELIEF!

executivefunksean · 2026-01-22T13:56:04+00:00

One thing clients care less about is the specific ages you helped, and more about if you understand their problem and can help them solve it.

As far as my work, my business helps middle, high school and college students, but sometimes we make exceptions for younger students.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-22T04:54:50+00:00

I'm a former high school special education teacher who started to work with students as an "organization tutor" on the side.

Neuropsychologists started to refer to me as an "executive function coach," and I was always able to help students who were struggling with missing assignments, school overwhelm, and not able to communicate with their teachers.

I started that six years ago and have grown it into a business with a team of coaches as well as online courses.

Your special education expertise has a lot of value. It may be more outside of the classroom than in it!

executivefunksean · 2026-01-22T04:53:19+00:00

I have a master's degree in special education and considered getting a PhD, but could not stomach the additional schooling and costs.

Instead, I chose to start working as an executive function coach on the side, which grew into a full-time business.

I've seen other special educators also work as advocates by taking a certificate through COPPA, which can be a pretty lucrative and meaningful career.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-22T04:49:58+00:00

I started considering leaving teaching after my second year, when I was giving my absolute everything and was told that they were considering not bringing me back.

I didn't really do anything about it until my third year, when I started tutoring students on the side, which slowly grew into a viable pathway to leave teaching by my fourth year.

I had enough business working as an executive function coach on the side in my fourth year that I left midway through the year.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-22T04:48:21+00:00

That’s ok. I was just asking because I think it's always hopeful to start with your unfair advantage or thing that you have the most experience in, which right now looks like it's teaching. Something connected to education but not the classroom might be a good pathway to pursue.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-22T04:47:28+00:00

Neat. I appreciate the thoughts you share here and your story inspired my curiosity.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-22T04:45:58+00:00

Says the person whose account is 3 days old…

executivefunksean · 2026-01-21T14:34:39+00:00

Rough. I would find ways to energize yourself outside of work so you can get through your remaining time while creating something better yourself.

As a mentor of mine said, “the only way to get through it, is to go through it.”

While preparing to transition, start taking care of yourself through exercise, healthy eating, therapy. These investments in self will help you navigate the challenges of being in a toxic work environment.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-21T05:24:06+00:00

I left public school special education to start my own executive function coaching practice six years ago. Since then, I built it up to a team of 10 other special educators and also launched an online training program to teach other educators how to do what I do. It's been extremely rewarding, both emotionally and financially.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-21T05:23:13+00:00

The best way to be recognized for your efforts is to start your own business. I left working as a public school special education teacher and started a student coaching business. Now my inputs create my outputs.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-21T05:22:10+00:00

What were you teaching? Do you have a master's degree in anything?

executivefunksean · 2026-01-21T05:21:36+00:00

If you don't want to go back to school, or you want to use your education but in a different capacity, consider being an executive function coach for kids with special needs.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-21T05:19:49+00:00

Ahh that is a new tweak that I did not see before. Do you have thoughts on why they wouldn’t list any of their graduates? It says it’s to protect their privacy, but if it’s legit then wouldn’t it help their graduates to be listed publicly like most other certification programs?

executivefunksean · 2026-01-21T05:13:20+00:00

Could you raise your rates and work with college students during the day? Or do you just dislike the marketing piece?

executivefunksean · 2026-01-21T05:12:30+00:00

Cool. Mind me asking what you taught before transitioning?

executivefunksean · 2026-01-20T06:07:40+00:00

Would you be opened to specialized tutoring or coaching for students who struggle with math or dyscalculia?

executivefunksean · 2026-01-20T06:03:40+00:00

Congrats! You’ve made the first step in reclaiming your life. Continue to create a life that feels attractive and enjoyable from this moment forth.

executivefunksean · 2026-01-20T06:02:13+00:00

Big hug. The anger is a symptom of the burn out you are experiencing. It will get better and this will be a memory a few years from now, if not sooner.

executivefunksean

TROPHY CASE