PERSONAL NOTE
One of my favorite summer rituals is catching up on movies I missed during the school year (or ones I just love enough to rewatch). While flying back from a conference a couple of weeks ago, I got to watch Secondhand Lions—a 2003 gem that’s part coming-of-age, part reminder that we’re never too old (or too burnt out) for a second chance.
And y’all, it hit differently this time. Maybe because so many teachers are sitting with the question: Is there more for me than this?
If that’s you, I want to share what this film reminded me—and what I think every teacher needs to hear right now.
🎥 Secondhand Lions & Second Chances
Secondhand Lions is the story of Walter, a young boy dropped off with two cranky old uncles who seem like the last people to give him what he needs. But as the movie unfolds, what Walter really receives is dignity, truth, and the quiet miracle of being taken seriously.
Sound familiar?
Teachers don’t always get that kind of respect. When you say you’re overwhelmed or want out, you’re often met with guilt trips or gaslighting. But like Walter, what you need isn’t fixing—it’s someone to say: I hear you. I believe you. Let’s figure out what’s next.
Here’s what I want you to consider:
👉 What stories have you been told about who you are?
👉 Who told you those stories?
👉 Are they even true anymore?
Because the truth is: your time in the classroom wasn’t wasted. It was foundational. You led, managed, mediated, created, and held it all together with duct tape and determination.
It’s time to stop thinking, “I’m not qualified for anything else,” and start asking, “What kind of life do I want my work to support?”
Want a concrete first step?
Write yourself a short summary using these prompts:
This isn’t fluff. It’s the start of a clearer job search—and a reclaimed identity that isn’t tied to a title or a badge.
COOL RESOURCE
A couple of weeks ago, I had the good fortune to sit down with Dr Shaun Woodly, PhD where we talked about classroom strategies for teachers who are worn down by behavior issues, but aren't ready to leave the classroom. We talked about the primary drivers behind behavior and how our environment affects those behaviors. We were speaking in the context of students, but in the spirit of Maslow before Bloom, I want to make the argument that teachers have those same needs and the fact that we're not getting them is one of the reasons teachers are so stressed and burned out in the classroom.
I wanted to take this opportunity to share a link to his books - MC Means Move the Class and The League of Extraordinary Educators
The we understand the information, the more we can do with the knowledge we've gain.
🎧 New Podcast Episode: Second Acts & Secondhand Lions
Episode 255 is live! In this episode of Teachers in Transition, I break down Secondhand Lions and what it teaches us about self-trust, story editing, and quiet transformation. If you're feeling stuck, misunderstood, or just exhausted—it’s for you.
🔗 Click here to listen on Buzzsprout
CONNECT WITH ME
email me at Vanessa@teachersintransition.com
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