"Don't be afraid to speak up and negotiate your terms."
Former Deputy Head and SENDCO Catherine left a role she loved when burnout, wearing too many hats, and increasing expectations became unsustainable. Despite her specialised knowledge and passion for the work, she found herself physically, emotionally, and socially exhausted - struggling to perform her multiple roles as effectively as she wanted to.
After using the Academy's burnout recovery materials to heal and rebuild, Catherine embarked on a "squiggly journey" that included supply work, a remote Education Navigator role, redundancy, and ultimately a return to a school-based SENDCO position - but this time, completely on her own terms. Now working just two days in school and the rest from home, Catherine has reclaimed her boundaries whilst also venturing into consultancy work supporting families with special educational needs.
In this episode, we also talk about:
If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom!
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