Always A Teacher Podcast
What happens when you decide to leave teaching and pursue the next chapter in your career? The Always A Teacher podcast provides teachers with insights and advice for breaking into the EdTech space. Hosted by Matt Gambino, the nation's top trainer of EdTech industry professionals, Always a Teacher features wide-ranging interviews with former teachers and administrators who share their stories about transitioning from the classroom to EdTech, and how they apply their unique skills and passion for students to a business setting.
Episodes
31 episodes
#031 Amanda Lanicek: Chief Technology Officer
Is it possible to lead a district’s technology department without a background in networking or computer science?For Amanda Lanicek, the answer is a resounding "yes." In this episo...
#030 Courtney Johnson: Account Executive
Can setting boundaries actually make you a better advocate for your students?For Courtney Johnson, the journey from Special Education teacher to District Administrator, and finally to edtech Account Executive and Entrepreneur, wasn't jus...
#029 Susan Casey: Account Executive
Is your curiosity the key to your next career chapter?For Susan Casey, the path to the classroom—and eventually out of it—was anything but traditional. Starting as a dedicated PTA volunteer before becoming a credentialed teacher later in...
#028 Laura Busch: Customer Success Lead
Do you feel like your skills are limited to the walls of your classroom?For Laura Busch, transitioning from an 18-year teaching career to the corporate world was a strategic move. In this episode, Laura shares how she went from Instructi...
#027 Jess Hammond: Senior Director of Learning and Development
Is the teacher guilt of leaving the classroom holding you back from your next chapter? For Jess Hammond, the decision to leave her Pre-K students was heart-wrenching, but it opened the door to a career where she now impacts thousands of classro...
#026 Maggie Fiorentino: Vice President of Product Marketing
What does the journey from a Pre-K classroom to a Vice President of Product Marketing look like? For Maggie Fiorentino, it was a path defined by the core skills she built as an educator. In this episode, Maggie shares her story of transitioning...
#025 Ivey Harrison: Senior Territory Manager
In this episode, Matt speaks with Ivey Harrison, a former college administrator who successfully transitioned into the EdTech industry. Ivey shares her inspiring journey from col...
#024 Laura Litton: Director of Success
What happens when you reach a leadership role in education, only to find that the day-to-day work has pulled you away from your true passion? How do you pivot from a role like school principal to find a new path that realigns with what drives y...
#023 Caelan Boone: Customer Success Associate
How do you turn a passion for teaching into a thriving career in EdTech? And what are the real, tangible skills that companies are looking for when they hire former educators?In this episode, Matt talks with
#022 David Thomas: National Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
Do EdTech companies really value classroom experience? How does a career dedicated to serving students in K-12 and higher education translate to a leadership role in a corporate environment?In this episode, Matt talks with
#021 Marybeth Schultz: School Partnerships Manager
How do you translate a rich career as a teacher and administrator into a new role in EdTech, especially when you don't see yourself as a "salesperson"? Where do you find the confidence to take that leap?In this episode, Matt talks with ...
#020 Tyler Post: Account Executive
What happens when you achieve a leadership position in education, like a school principal, only to find that the path forward isn’t sustainable for you? How do you pivot from a role at the heart of a school building to a new career in the EdTec...
#019 Janna Tolleson: High School Sales Rep
What does it really take to make a strategic move from the classroom to a rewarding EdTech sales career?Matt Gambino sits down with Janna Tolleson, a...
#018 Jonathan Strout: Enterprise Account Executive
What does it really take to go from the principal's office to a top-tier role in an EdTech company?Matt Gambino sits down with Jonathan Strout, a former high school prin...
#017 Chelsea Avirett: Founder
Are you tired of endlessly scrolling through massive job boards, feeling like the right EdTech role is impossible to find? What if you could get a curated list of ideal jobs sent right to you?Matt sits down with
#016 Ciara Newby: Senior Director of Global University Partnerships
In this episode, Matt speaks with former high school languages teacher Ciara Newby, now a Senior Director of Global University Partnerships at Cialfo.
#015 Mike Cronley: Founder & CEO
In this episode, Matt speaks with former elementary school teacher Mike Cronley, now Founder and CEO of Class Composer.
#014 Lissa Johnson: Founder & CEO
In this episode, Matt speaks with former middle- and high-school science teacher Lissa Johnson, now Founder and CEO of Mosa Mack Science.
#013 Kiana Porter-Isom: Chief Improvement Officer
In this episode, Matt speaks with former middle school math teacher Kiana Porter-Isom, now Chief Improvement Officer with Reading Horizons.
#012 Cris Slotoroff: Manager of Client Partnerships
In this episode, Matt speaks with former high school English teacher Cris Slotoroff now Manager of Client Partnerships with The Juice Learning.
#011 Donna McConnell: Account Executive
In this episode, Matt speaks with former English teacher Donna McConnell, now an Account Executive with 95 Percent Group.
#010 Christine Hayes: Director of Customer Success
In this episode, Matt speaks with former art teacher Christine Hayes, now the Senior Director of Customer Success and Sales Enablement with Zūm.
#009 Stephen Guerriero: Chief Learning Officer
In this episode, Matt speaks with former middle school social studies teacher Steve Guerriero, now the Chief Learning Officer with Litmus Learn.