For many dedicated educators, the career path leads to school leadership. But what happens when the view from the principal’s office isn't what you expected? What if the daily demands of managing a building pull you further and further away from the instructional coaching that first inspired you? This is a common crossroad for many administrators, and it’s one that can lead to profound questions about the future.
In a recent episode of the Always A Teacher podcast, I spoke with Laura Litton, Director of Success at LiveSchool, who navigated this exact challenge. Her journey from instructional coach to principal and back to a role centered on supporting teachers offers a compelling road map for anyone feeling disconnected from their professional passion. Her story is a testament to the power of self-reflection and the courage to realign your career with what truly drives you.
The Reality of the Role: When Operations Overtake Instruction
Laura’s experience as a principal highlights a critical reality of school leadership. While she ascended to the role hoping to improve instruction on a larger scale, she quickly found her days consumed by non-instructional, operational crises. Her story is both a relatable and illuminating look at the daily pressures that can obscure a leader’s original mission.
"Our flag got stuck at half mast. And then we got in the newspaper because the veterans felt like we weren't being respectful. Literally, you know, the bathrooms broke all of them in one day... And I had to lean on other people in the building to act as instructional coaches. And that felt just the opposite of what I got into this to do."
The Essential Question: What Gets You Excited Every Day?
Recognizing this disconnect was the first step. The next, and most crucial, was an honest self-inventory. Laura’s core advice for anyone considering a career change is to move beyond a simple list of frustrations and ask a deeper question: What is the work that genuinely excites you? By identifying that core driver, you can create a clear filter for evaluating new opportunities. For Laura, the answer was clear.
"If you don't align what you really love to do with what you're able to do with the majority of your job, you're always going to feel a little lost... For me, it was the coming back to I really liked coaching teachers... What could get me back to coaching teachers was the thing that was going to get me really excited."
Finding Your Fit: From a Conference Hall to a New Career
Listen to the Full Conversation
Laura’s journey is a powerful example of how to thoughtfully pivot from a career in school administration to a role that reignites your professional passion. Her insights on self-reflection and finding true alignment are invaluable for any educator looking to write their next chapter.
Listen to our full conversation on the Always A Teacher podcast to hear more.
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