A Note from Vanessa

I’m still buzzing—because I was able to get tickets to the 50-something tour for Rush. 🎸🎶 Just the idea of the concert sparked a discussion on Facebook friends. A bunch of us who went to high school together ended up reminiscing about a introduction to poetry lesson by the Sophomore English teacher comparing Rush and Metallica song lyrics for literary devices.

That single lesson clearly stuck. Several of us remember very specific details.  Decades later, we’re quoting lyrics and sharing stories.

Also: Ticketmaster is still the worst. But at least now I can suffer through their chaos from the comfort of my office chair instead of standing in line outside a mall.

Education Is Its Own Language

If you’ve ever looked at a job posting and felt like you were reading a foreign language, you’re not imagining it. Teachers operate in a world with its own terms, acronyms, and values. RTI, IEPs, differentiated instruction…these mean everything in our space, and absolutely nothing to a hiring manager in another industry.

The result? Teachers get overlooked—not because they’re unqualified, but because the language on their resumes doesn’t translate. If your resume includes a line like:
“Planned, developed, and delivered engaging lessons according to state standards,”
you’re in good company. That phrase—or something close to it—lives on thousands of teacher resumes.

But here’s the problem: it doesn’t say what you think it says.

It’s technically accurate. It shows that you followed curriculum guidelines and built lessons. But to someone outside of education, it’s vague, generic, and doesn’t communicate the depth of your work.

Let’s break it down:

  • “Planned and developed” - Okay, but what was the impact of your planning? Did it improve outcomes? Did it align with student needs or district goals?
  • “Engaging lessons” - Engaging for whom? How do you know? What changed as a result?
  • “According to state standards” - This might matter in education, but it doesn’t land outside it. Most employers care more about objectives and outcomes than compliance.

Now try this instead:
“Designed and implemented targeted instruction aligned to organizational goals, increasing learner engagement and improving performance benchmarks by 20%.”

Or, if you want to highlight versatility:
“Created dynamic, goal-oriented learning experiences tailored to diverse learning needs, resulting in measurable growth across key performance areas.”

Notice what we’re doing here:

  • Translating “standards” into “goals”
  • Replacing “lessons” with “learning experiences” or “instruction”
  • Adding metrics or outcomes to show impact
  • Using language that fits across industries—like “performance,” “benchmarks,” “stakeholders,” or “strategic alignment”

This is more than wordsmithing. It’s reframing your experience so the right people understand it.

You don’t need to invent new achievements. You just need to write about them in a way that works outside the classroom.

Start by rewriting this one bullet. Then keep going. You’ve got more to offer than most hiring managers realize—and now, you’re learning how to show it.

Stop Underselling Yourself in Your Resume

Let’s be honest: teachers are experts at deflecting praise. We’re trained to redirect the spotlight with thing like, “It was a team effort,” “The kids worked so hard,” or “I just did what needed to be done.” And while that humility serves you well in the classroom, it doesn’t translate well in a job search.

Hiring managers don’t give bonus points for humility. They’re skimming for clear, measurable impact. If your resume is filled with vague duties or overused phrases, it’s likely being passed over - not because you lack experience, but because the story isn’t landing.

Here’s a common example:
“Planned and delivered daily math instruction.”
That’s true, but it doesn’t show what changed because of you.

Now try this:
“Designed and implemented math instruction that increased benchmark scores by 18% in one semester.”
That version is specific. It’s results-driven. It makes your value visible.

This kind of reframing can make a huge difference. Focus on outcomes, not activities. Use numbers wherever possible—even rough estimates help. And replace “student-focused” language with terms that speak across industries. Think “team,” “clients,” or “stakeholders” if you’re applying outside of education.

Also: audit your verbs. “Supported,” “helped,” or “assisted” are… fine…, but they don’t reflect leadership. If you led, built, designed, or delivered something then say so. Own it.

Your resume isn’t a list of everything you have ever done.  It’s a curated reflection of your impact that directly addresses the job description. Think like a teacher writing objectives: what was the goal? What did you execute? What improved because you were there?

You’re not inflating your story. You’re telling the truth with the clarity it deserves. And that truth is more than enough.

 

The Latest Podcast Episode!

🎙️ If you’d like to hear more, check out the podcast for a deeper dive!
Stop Underselling Yourself: Why Your Resume Isn’t Getting Results

TEACHER HACK OF THE WEEK

Want to see what your resume actually says to someone outside of education?
Here’s a hack straight from the podcast:

Give your resume to a non-educator. Ask them to highlight everything they don’t understand.

This "Highlighter Hack" is a low-stress, high-impact way to reveal the edu-jargon that might be holding you back.

Simple. Free. Insightful. And probably overdue. 

Let this be the week you stop underselling yourself. You've given enough. It's time to build a future that gives back.

 

I'D LOVE TO CONNECT! 

📧 Email me at Vanessa@teachersintransition.com
📱 Leave a voicemail or text at 512-640-9099
📅 Schedule a free Discovery Session with me: https://teachersintransition.com/calendar
🌐 Visit the website: https://teachersintransition.com
📸 Follow on Instagram + Threads: @teachers.in.transition
📘 Like the Facebook page: Teachers in Transition

 

Vanessa 

 

P.S. If your resume isn’t getting traction - or you’re just not sure what to change - I’ve got tools that can help. Book a free discovery session to see what resources might support your next step: https://teachersintransition.com/calendar You've given enough. It's time to build a future that gives back.