This case study highlights the success of Deanna Forsythe, a teacher from Wisconsin.
Deanna enrolled in my “Jumpstart Your Job Search Program” in late April 2017. She landed her new job as the Director of a Mathnasium Center in mid-June
This was, without a doubt, the quickest success I have seen as a Career Transition Coach!
I would like to take credit for it, but Deanna did the hard work. My program and our one-on-one consultations contributed to her success. She was responsible for her fast transition, though.
The average job search today, from start to finish, is generally four to nine months. Given that Deanna’s process from start to finish took place over seven weeks is definitely not the norm.
What I observed about Deanna was her positive, “go-getter” attitude. I am sure she was a phenomenal teacher. She has all the right characteristics for an outstanding educator. She is extremely organized; she was highly motivated and hyper- focused; and she was eager to be successful.
When she first approached me, Deanna expressed a combination of frustrations.
She felt that the system didn’t respect her expertise as an educator anymore. She had even changed from one position to another in hopes of a better situation. She was disappointed to find that that change didn’t fix the problem, however.
Respect vs. Disrespect
She also felt that she had more to offer than was being used in her current situation. Hear in her own words what she wrote to me about what led her to seek out my services:
“I have been an educator for over 20 years, working in the private, public, and choice sectors. I have supported children of varying ages, academic abilities, and behavioral needs. Over that time, I noticed a profound shift in the field of education. Demands placed on teachers continue to increase, Autonomy continues to decrease. I recognized at that point that it was time to utilize my skill set from both my BS and MA in a way that was far more productive, meaningful, and fulfilling to me.”
She took to the program with enthusiasm. The program includes online tutorials, recommended reading, exercises, and activities. She tackled the program as though she were undertaking a new advanced degree. She set up a system for herself, and when we held our first consultation, she was wide open to suggestions. She didn’t come into the program with a preconceived idea of where it might lead.
I discovered that Deanna has a deep intuitive nature. Part of what she was heeding was her gut instinct.
She knew there had to be something “out there” where she could contribute in a more meaningful way.
She also expressed her love for animals and how her dream is to one day be an animal healer. I encouraged her to continue to explore that. We don’t listen to our inner wisdom often enough. We shut down because we have convinced ourselves that certain things “aren’t possible.” I try to get my clients to embrace the idea that “anything is possible.” It is, in fact, “possible” once you believe it is.
Listen to Deanna’s testimony in her own words as they relate to her experience of the work we did together:
Deanna’s Case Study: https://youtu.be/IOtJN7H31E4.
This video conversation holds several key pieces of information. Deanna made use of the entire program starting with getting in touch with herself and remembering what brought her job and peace.
Here is what she said about the nature of the instruction and inspiration she got from following the modules and the results she saw:
“I developed my professional portfolio through LinkedIn (lesson 7). Others in the field I am in accepted my invitations, and I continue to meet and expand my network today.
Also, I closely followed Kitty’s modules regarding bringing life to one’s cover letter/resume (lessons 3-4). I applied for the position I currently accepted, and within 24 hours, I received a response of interest.
A breakthrough I experienced was I recognized that I held the cards. I simply needed the support of someone like Kitty who has ‘been there, done that’ to guide me through the process of reinventing myself.”
There are usually side benefits to taking part in programs like this. Sometimes they can be unexpected. Here is what Deanna said about one of the benefits she received from working with me one-on-one:
“Kitty’s ability to relate to and validate my frustrations as an educator in today’s world was valuable to me. I no longer felt alone. She is an excellent empathic listener!
I also felt supported in taking baby steps, as reinventing one’s self can be an overwhelming process. She understands the challenge in breaking new ground, as she was once in my shoes.”
I always ask people if they would be willing to offer a recommendation on LinkedIn or a testimonial for my website as I draw my work with a client to a close. I did the same with Deanna. Here is what she offered that she would tell her friends and colleagues about working with me:
“I would (and already have) recommend you to others who are looking for more fulfillment in their professional lives. You are authentic. You have experienced this journey firsthand, and that lends credibility to your interest in supporting me to do the same.
You also have experience leading others outside of this realm/position, as former president of VEA, and that also lends credibility to coaching others, in my opinion.”
Happy Client
So, there you have it. Another satisfied client. Another teacher who has decided that the system has failed her and it’s time to move on. I am confident that Deanna will be successful in her new role. She only need bring half of her enthusiasm to her new role as she brought to her job transition program, to that, but I know she will bring 100% to that new endeavor.
I am also confident that while she will bring tremendous value to her new position, she will learn as well as contribute and she may have even greater things waiting for her in her future.
It is a pleasure working with people like Deanna. She saw a need to make a change in her life, and she made it with confidence and determination.
What about you? Are you ready to take charge of your career and your life?
If so, I urge you to contact me for a 20-minute complimentary Discovery Session. Just go to my calendar here to sign up. It won’t cost a thing but 20-minutes of your time: https://kittyatcareermakeover.coachesconsole.com/calendar/.
Teachers in Distress 