Show Notes

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 life, Susan has always followed her curiosity. Today, she is an Account Executive for Pear Deck Learning, where she continues to impact education on a massive scale. In this episode, Susan shares how staying curious and saying "yes" to professional development opened doors she never knew existed.

• The "Accidental" Educator: Susan shares her unique journey from PTA President and classroom volunteer to a credentialed teacher, proving that it is never too late to step into your calling.
• Curiosity as a Career Strategy: How Susan leveraged her natural curiosity—attending tech conferences and seeking out new certifications—to build a resume that made her undeniable to edtech companies.
• From the Classroom to Employee #24: Susan discusses the leap from a structured school schedule to the chaotic, exciting world of an early-stage startup, and how she helped grow Pear Deck from the ground up.
• Reframing Sales: If the word "sales" makes you cringe, Susan offers a new perspective: it isn't about pushing products; it’s about consulting, problem-solving, and helping districts align their budgets with their goals.
• Look Local Before You Leap: Susan offers vital advice for teachers looking to leave the classroom but stay in education, suggesting that the perfect intermediate step might be waiting at your local County Office or Education Service Center.

Episode Article

The most successful educators aren’t just teachers; they are lifelong learners.

When we feel stuck in the classroom, we often assume the only way out is a giant, terrifying leap into the corporate unknown. But sometimes, the bridge to your next career is built simply by following your curiosity.

My guest this week, Susan Casey, is the perfect example of where an open mind can take you.

Susan is currently an Account Executive for Pear Deck Learning (part of the GoGuardian family), covering the massive territory of Texas. But her resume reads like a masterclass in adaptability. She went from being a stay-at-home mom and PTA President to a credentialed teacher, then pivoted to educational sales with Frog Street, eventually becoming Employee #24 at Pear Deck.

What struck me most about Susan’s story was how she "future-proofed" her career without even realizing it.

While she was in the classroom, she didn't just stick to the curriculum. She was the teacher signing up for the gifted and talented conferences. She was the one attending science academies at the Lawrence Hall of Science. She was the early adopter embracing new technology before anyone else in her building.

She wasn’t doing this to leave teaching; she was doing it because she wanted to be better for her students.

But when life circumstances changed—becoming a single mom and needing more income—she had a toolkit ready to go. She had built a personal brand as an innovator before "personal branding" was even a buzzword.

In our conversation, Susan touched on a reality that many teachers face: the fear of the "Sales" label.

Moving from education to sales can feel like a betrayal of values for some. But Susan reframes this beautifully. She doesn't view her role as selling widgets; she views it as high-level problem solving. She uses her background to help Directors of Technology and Curriculum align their disjointed budgets to actually serve kids.

She is still differentiating instruction; she’s just doing it for adults and school districts now.

Susan also offers a piece of advice that I think is critical for anyone feeling burnout: Don't assume you have to leave the ecosystem entirely.

Before you jump straight to corporate, look at your County Offices of Education or your Education Service Centers (ESCs). There is often a wealth of opportunity in curriculum design, training, and professional development that allows you to keep your pension and your purpose while escaping the daily grind of the bell schedule.

Susan’s journey reminds us that your skills are transferable, but your curiosity is what makes you marketable. If you keep learning, you will always have options.