Teachers in Transition: Episode 222 – Art as Therapy, Avoid toxicity, and Five Teacher SuperSkills

In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa explores the calming power of art therapy—focusing on personal, creative outlets that bring peace and balance. From quilting to painting, art offers a way to soothe the mind and combat stress. We also touch on the importance of reducing social media distractions, particularly in the face of online toxicity. Plus, we discuss five key skills (super skills!) that teachers already possess, which can open doors in various industries—skills like communication, strategy, and creative problem-solving. Tune in for insights on mental health, job search tips, and practical advice for teachers ready to pivot careers.

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Peanuts Strip with Lucy

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The transcript of this podcast can be found on the podcasts’ homepage at Buzzsprout. 

Transcript

Are you a teacher who is feeling stressed out and overwhelmed? do you worry that you're feeling symptoms of burnout - or are you sure you've already gotten there? Have you started to dream of doing something different or a new job or perhaps pursuing an entirely different career - but you don't know what else you're qualified to do? You don't know how to start a job search and you just feel stuck. if that sounds like you, I promise you are not alone. my name is Vanessa Jackson; and I am a career transition and job search coach and I specialize in helping burnt out teachers just like you deal with the overwhelmingly stressful nature of your day-to-day job and to consider what other careers might be out there waiting for you. You might ask yourself, What tools do I need to find a new career?  Are my skills valuable outside the classroom?  How and where do I even get started?  These are all questions you deserve answers to, and I can help you find them.  I’m Vanessa Jackson. Come and join me for Teachers in Transition.  

***Hi!  And Welcome back to another episode of Teachers in Transition. I am your host, Vanessa Jackson - a compassionate Career transition and job search coach who specializes in working with burnt out teachers who are stressed and overwhelmed. We talk about stress and mental health, hacks to help you with your day, and of course, information on career transition and job hunting! 
 
 Today on the podcast we are going to explore the power of art as therapy, a tech hack that will save you HOURS, and we’ll talk about 5 big translatable skills that you already have!

In today’s segment on stress and mental health, we’re going to talk about the importance of art as therapy.
Now, quick disclaimer: I’m not talking about therapist-led therapy here. What I’m referring to is more like the “wind therapy” my dad got from riding his motorcycle. It’s that personal, soothing, creative outlet that helps you reconnect with yourself. Art, in any form, brings peace. It feeds our souls in a way that few other things can.

It’s worth noting that we’re seeing a huge rise in mental health issues among youth, at the same time that daily access to art and music in schools has been stripped away. In some places, it’s completely gone. That’s just a little nugget for your brain to chew on.

There are many people who can attest to the power of art. For example, former President George W. Bush took up painting after his presidency. He even sells his work and donates the proceeds to charity. I remember hearing him in an interview,  admitting that he was under no delusions about how good his art was. He knew that people were buying it for the signature rather than the work itself. But here’s the thing—he turned to art as a way to soothe and comfort his soul after the stress of a Presidency that included 9/11.

I also have a friend who started painting, sharing her work on Facebook, and her pieces are beautiful. I’m dying to get one for my wall. She talks openly about how painting has been good for her mental health. Another friend, whom I’ve mentioned before, turned to art as a new career path after leaving teaching. She wasn’t even an art teacher! But she says it’s been calming and healing for her mind. The first friend paints in a more traditional way, while the second friend’s art has a more mathematical precision to it. They’re both beautiful. 

And art comes in so many forms—it's not just painting on canvas. I, for one, love quilting. When I’m at my sewing machine, it’s one of the rare times when my mind truly quiets down. Quilting is art plus math, especially when you’re designing and making sure everything aligns perfectly. There’s a lot of math involved, even if it’s subconscious.
 
 I want to take a little extra time to talk about quilting because I enjoy it so much. Quilting is my personal form of art therapy, and what I love about it is that it combines creativity with precision. When I sit down at my sewing machine, it’s like a switch flips in my brain. The constant noise of a thousand thoughts slows down, and I can finally focus. I feel it is important to point out that I feel this with quilts – not with actual garments.  But I have a friend who makes these amazing clothes, and it fills the same need for her. For those of you who struggle with racing thoughts, stress, or possibly anxiety, you might find that working with your hands, whether it’s quilting, knitting, crocheting, or something else gives you that same sense of calm. This might also be why fidget spinners were so popular for awhile.

What’s fascinating about quilting is how much math is involved. We don’t always think about it, but when you’re planning a quilt, it’s like a puzzle. You’re figuring out how many pieces of fabric you need, what size each piece should be, and how they all fit together. There’s a logical sequence to it—cut, piece, sew, iron, repeat. But at the same time, it’s highly creative because the color combinations, fabric patterns, and overall design are entirely up to you. It’s art and math working in perfect harmony.  And honestly, all you have to do is sew straight lines. 

Quilting also brings a sense of accomplishment. There’s something really satisfying about watching a pile of random fabric slowly transform into something beautiful and functional. Quilts can carry a sense of history and meaning. You can use fabric that has personal significance.  When my grandfather died, an aunt made my grandmother a quilt out of his shirts. Each piece tells a story, and by the end, you’ve not only created something to keep you warm, (or a friend or a family member warm) but something that holds memories and emotions.

I think that’s one of the reasons quilting is such a grounding activity for me. It’s tactile and visual. I can feel the fabric in my hands, watch the pattern come together, and—best of all—enjoy the finished product for years to come or donate it to help a group make money. The repetitive nature of sewing also brings a rhythm to my day that calms my nerves and gives me something to focus on, especially when life is chaotic.

If you’re looking for a way to unwind, this is one I will recommend. There’s a quiet power in creating something from nothing.

Speaking of creativity and color, let’s talk about the duo behind The Home Edit. They’re known for organizing by color, making everything visually appealing and easier to maintain, especially for kids. I watched an episode where they organized the playroom for  Neil Patrick Harris’s family by color, and he was surprised at how well it worked. He thought it wasn’t going to work – he admits it at the reveal. This idea of organizing by color taps into something we all love—visual harmony. And just like in art, you can make things flow in your favorite colors.

A lot of people find calm in coloring books, which have made quite a resurgence with adults. I find it funny that coloring, once thought to be a waste of time in schools, might actually be the very thing that helps kids (and adults) focus and de-stress. Maybe we should reconsider that in classrooms.

Then there’s ceramics. Some people love playing with clay, molding it into something new. Even if you don’t like the mess, many places let you paint pre-made pieces. I may or may not have done one for my daughter as a Christmas gift (don’t tell her!), and it turned out amazing. And the process of making it was just as much fun as it will be to watch her open it

For today’s episode, I’ve been focusing on visual arts because they engage so many of your senses. You can see and touch the art that you’re creating. If you’re sewing, painting, or working with clay, there’s a smell that comes with it—your olfactory senses are involved too. Just don’t taste the crayons, okay? Let’s leave taste out of this! Add some music in the background, and you’ve involved nearly all of your senses. This is why art is such a grounding, calming activity that can be incredibly beneficial for both mental and emotional health.

If you’re willing to give it a try, maybe pull out coloring page into your classroom for upper elementary or older students. I’d love to hear how it goes. It might be hard to get them to buy into the idea at first, but it’s worth a shot. A lot of those kids make amazing art. And if you already have a favorite art activity that helps you unwind, I want to hear about it! Shoot me an email or leave me a voice message—I’ll have all the contact details at the end of the podcast.

It's time to move on to our  teacher hack – these hacks are designed to save you some time in your day to clear up space in your brain to spend that time on things that YOU want – whether that is your family, your friends, your self-care time, or your JOB HUNT. 

Get out of Facebook groups / online social forums that aren’t helpful or useful
 
 

Okay, here’s a little tough love: you’re probably spending too much time on social media. I get it – me too.  BUT especially as we are pulling up on election season in the States, there is a LOT of toxicity running rampart in any direction. I promise you this isn’t doing your mental health any good AND it’s sucking up a LOT of your time.  Besides, when have you ever been able to change someone’s mind on social media?
 
 If you're spending time in Facebook groups or online forums that aren’t doing you any good or if groups keep popping up that no longer interest you -  it's time to hit that "leave group" button. Seriously. You can also use the “snooze for 30 days’ feature” if someone is driving you particularly bonkers. So many of these online spaces right now are just stirring up trouble for the clicks and other reactions. Don’t fall for it 

If it’s toxic, unhelpful, or just wasting your time, ditch it. You don’t need that in your life!

Moving on, in our job hunting segment, I want to dive into five common skills that teachers often overlook but are incredibly valuable. These are the types of skills that not only make you successful in the classroom but can also open doors in countless other industries. So, when you’re considering how your abilities translate into the "outside world," let’s start with the basics:

1. Communication

As a teacher, you are an expert communicator—both in writing and verbally, and across a variety of mediums. Whether it's sending a quick text, crafting an email, or making a phone call, you know how to adjust your tone and approach based on your audience. But here’s the real gem: you make complex concepts understandable. That’s the mark of a master communicator. You break things down and make them accessible, helping others grasp ideas they didn’t understand before. Don’t underestimate this ability; it's gold in any field.

Think about it—every industry needs people who can explain complex information in simple terms. In business, that might mean taking data from a report and presenting it in a way that non-experts can understand. In healthcare, it might mean explaining a complicated procedure to a worried patient. As a teacher, you've been doing this sice you started —whether you're simplifying algebra for a teenager or breaking down a historical event into bite-sized pieces, or explaining why they shouldn’t hit their friends. Your communication skills don’t apply just to kids; they translate beautifully to adults who need information presented clearly and concisely.

2. Customer service

You might not realize it, but teaching is one of the best customer service gigs out there. Every day, you manage stakeholders—parents, students, colleagues—and navigate complex, emotionally charged situations. You’ve de-escalated upset parents, soothed anxious students, and found solutions where others see only chaos. Those are real customer service skills, the kind that people pay top dollar for in other industries. You know how to listen, how to negotiate, and how to bring people back from the edge. That’s not something most people ever have to deal with, much less perfect.

In customer-facing roles, empathy and patience are critical—and you’ve already mastered that. Think about how many times you’ve had to address a parent’s concerns or manage a classroom full of kids with wildly different needs. Your ability to keep cool under pressure, to listen actively, and to solve problems on the fly is a rare and highly sought-after skill. In industries like retail, hospitality, or corporate client services, these same skills make you a powerhouse when it comes to building relationships, retaining clients, and handling crises.

3. Strategy

Teachers are some of the best strategists out there. You’re constantly looking ahead, planning out every possible outcome, and adjusting based on what’s happening in real-time. In fact, if you’re not strategic, you probably won’t last long in the teaching world. Let’s say you need to get from point A to point Z. You not only map out every step, but you also anticipate the hurdles and know exactly how long each part of the process will take. This is the essence of strategy. Planning isn’t just about logistics; it’s about foresight and adaptation.

Consider how strategic planning shows up in other fields like business, marketing, or project management. In these environments, you’re expected to not only plan projects but to anticipate challenges, allocate resources, and stay agile when things change. These are second nature to you as a teacher. You’ve already navigated lesson plans, behavioral challenges, and curriculum shifts while juggling multiple priorities. Strategy is your bread and butter, and it’s a skill that can propel you into leadership roles where long-term planning and adaptability are crucial.

4. Creative problem solving

When resources are tight—whether it's budget, time, or engagement—you figure out a way to make things work. You become an efficiency expert out of necessity. You’ve probably rigged together systems to maximize time and minimize frustration. I remember once during the pandemic, the computer provided to me was painfully slow. SO SLOOOOW. So, I brought my personal laptop and I ran two systems at the same time.  So the school laptop would be very slowly processing  in the gradebook while I was entering new grads on my personal laptop, which was processing painfully slowly because it was on the guest network.—  I became a master of multitasking just to get the job done and not waste time buffering. That’s problem-solving at its finest.

Creativity in problem-solving isn’t just about finding a quick fix—it’s about innovating with the tools and resources at hand. In tech, they call this "hacking the system." In business, it’s called "thinking outside the box." Whatever term you prefer, teachers are pros at it. You’re constantly faced with limitations, yet you find ways to engage students, meet deadlines, and stay within budget – a budget of often ZERO. This kind of creative resourcefulness is exactly what companies in fast-paced industries need. They want employees who can think on their feet and come up with inventive solutions when things don’t go as planned.

5. Presentation skills

Every day, you get up in front of a room full of people and deliver. You’ve learned how to engage an audience, adapt when things go wrong (and let’s be real, they always do), and keep everyone on the same page. You’ve created visuals, crafted lessons, and pivoted on a dime when needed. Imagine what it would be like to give a presentation where you didn’t have to create the visuals yourself—sounds like a vacation, right? These presentation skills are invaluable and transferable to countless other fields.

Think about all the times you’ve had to modify a lesson mid-presentation or shift gears entirely because the projector wasn’t working or the Wi-Fi went down or the computer decided to reboot right in the middle. Now imagine transferring that ability into a corporate setting where presentations are essential for training, pitching ideas, or leading meetings. Not only do you know how to present, but you’ve mastered the art of keeping an audience engaged—even when they don’t want to be there. You’re already miles ahead of many professionals who are still struggling with public speaking and keeping their audience’s attention.

These five skills—communication, customer service, strategy, creative problem-solving, and presentation—form the foundations of project management. Teachers have a natural aptitude for this career path, and it’s one I often recommend. While learning and development roles are popular with former teachers, they’re tough to break into. Project management, however, is a booming field. You already have the core skills—what you need is to learn the language and tools used in the corporate world ad pick up the certification. And truth be told, as you go through project management training, you’ll likely realize that you already know many of the steps—you’ve just been doing them more efficiently.

I'm going to link this in the show notes, but I want to refer you to a Peanuts comic strip It’s a Sunday panel with Lucy, and to be fair, Lucy is working off of an intimidation factor with her little brother here to get her way, so that’s not where I’m headed. But she says, “These five fingers individually are nothing. But when I curl them together into a single unit they become a fighting force terrible to behold.”  As she shows her borther her clenched fist So many of your teaching skills can work together to become a force that is not necessarily terrible to behold, but definitely a force to be reckoned with.
 
 So, don’t sell yourself short. Your teaching skills are powerful when combined. They’re not just valuable in education; they’re valuable everywhere.

You’ve got this.

 I want to encourage you to join our Facebook group – Teachers in Transition Podcast Club and to follow our Teachers in Transition Facebook page.  Ou can join the pdcast club to talk with other teachers looking to leave teaching  - share tips, get ideas, and find support. Talk with teachers who have left teaching. Just search for Teachers in Transition Podcast Club and answer the quick questions that ensure you aren’t a bot.   

 If you are stuck in your job search, or are having trouble getting started, please feel free to reach out to me to schedule a complimentary discovery session to see how I can help you pivot careers and find the job of your dreams. 

That’s the podcast for today! If you liked this podcast, tell a friend, and don’t forget to rate and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in weekly to Teachers in Transition where we discuss Job Search strategies as well as stress management techniques.  And I want to hear from you!  Please reach out and leave me a message at Teacher in transition coaching at gmail dot com.  You can also leave a voicemail or text at 512-640-9099. 

I’ll see you here again next week and remember – YOU are amazing!