In episode 169 of the Teacher Career Coach podcast, Blake Fisher, a former teacher who transitioned to an administrative assistant role at a tax firm. Blake shares her journey from teaching seventh-grade science to navigating the corporate world.
Elizabeth and Blake discuss the challenges of teaching, especially during the pandemic, and the importance of work-life balance.
Blake highlights how her teaching skills, like organization and communication, helped her succeed in her new role.
Listen to the episode in the podcast player below, or find it on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Explore the course that has helped thousands of teachers successfully transition out of the classroom and into new careers: The Teacher Career Coach Course
Mentioned in the episode:
- Use code “TCC” to get 50% off of everything at Aspireship
- Our career path quiz at www.teachercareercoach.com/quiz
- Explore the course that has helped thousands of teachers successfully transition out of the classroom and into new careers: The Teacher Career Coach Course
Episode Transcript:
Elizabeth: Hi, everyone, and welcome back to this next episode today. I’m so excited for you to get to know Blake Fisher. Blake’s a former teacher and now an administrative assistant at a tax firm. Join us today. As we discuss the challenges of teaching and how an entry level position can set you up for success for learning and growth.
When you leave the classroom, hope you enjoy.
Welcome back, everyone. I’m so excited to have Blake Fisher with us. Welcome, Blake.
Blake: Thank you.
Elizabeth: Well, we love to kick these off by hearing a bit about your educational journey. What got you into education in the first place?
Blake: Yeah. So I, um, well, I grew up in Connecticut and I went to prep school there and, um, ended up going to Montana for college, which was like kind of a wild start. Step in a like literally different direction, but just very, yeah, I’d never been to the state before actually. Um, and I applied and showed up for orientation and that had been it.
So, um, that was kind of like an adventure in itself. And when I was in Montana fell in love with like the outdoors and the environment. Cause like, it’s Montana. So, and when I got to senior year, I was like, oh, you know, I like. The environment and I also was into like econ. So I was like, wanted to explore that, but.
I don’t know. It was like senior year. It’s just, I like, I was like, I just need more time. Um, so I bought myself more time and I applied for teach for America. And it was like, I was not like an elementary ed major. Like I was in forestry, like I was just like, someone had recommended. I look into it and I was kind of like.
All right, that’ll buy me two years. Like sounds good kind of thing. And was, you know, super fortunate, like, you know, God accepted into teacher America and then I was placed, uh, back East in Providence, Rhode Island. So, um, I taught two years, um, at a middle school in Providence and in like one of the public middle schools.
So I wasn’t in a charter or anything. Um, so in a public school there and taught seventh grade science, which no experience in middle school, but I fell in love with middle schoolers in a non weird way. And I just, I had so much fun with them. I was like, Oh, teaching is cool. And like the kids, I don’t know, like they need that, like people who are excited and enthusiastic and You know, in middle school and science and girls, you know, there’s so much stuff there that I realized I feel really strongly about and was like, oh, like, I like, want to be here.
And I really like this. I met, you know, an awesome group of people through teacher America and also just like veterans at my school who. I learned so much from and just got really excited about it. And so I ended up, uh, sticking with it. So I did my two years for teacher America and while I was in Providence, I was also coaching, uh, field hockey for one of the private schools in the area.
And like, I’d grown up going to private school, um, and kind of got into that community. And so I ended up. After my two years getting a job at one of the independent schools in the area. So I kind of made that switch. Which was different and has its own challenges and like a lot of different ways.
And so I taught there for three years and I taught seventh and eighth grade science and math. I coached field hockey. I coached a little bit of basketball, coached lacrosse. And yeah, I mean, you know, all the teachers know, like we all wear bajillion hats. Like, I don’t even remember what else I did.
Um, you know, it was like an advisor, all that kind of stuff. So, yeah, so that was there. And then I ended up moving to Colorado got married one summer, moved out here and, um, I’ve been here for eight years, I guess now And so I got a job at an independent school in Boulder pretty similar to the school that I grew up going to.
So independent K through 12, um, you know, like 500 kids. So like really small community, um, lots of sports. And so I was there for seven years and obviously seven years was super happy there. So I taught, and this is where it’s going to be like seven years of hats. I’m like, Oh my God. Um, I taught seventh grade science.
I taught, I’ve taught seventh grade math. ninth grade math. I coached, uh, volleyball. I laugh because I never played volleyball, but coached a little bit of basketball. I actually started the girls lacrosse program at that school. Um, so that was like a super exciting thing for me. It’s an area that doesn’t have a huge girls lacrosse like population, I guess.
And so, I started the program. We went from a middle school team, had JV varsity, so that was pretty exciting for me. I was an advisor. I ended up I was the department chair for the science department for sixth through twelfth grade for a couple of years. I was like the seventh grade team leader. I was about like again, you know all the hats.
Um, But loved it and loved that community so much and still do I actually my first year out. I was still coaching there and yeah, so I guess that’s like the Like my resume, if you will, of education.
Elizabeth: That’s awesome to hear, and I have a few questions.
Blake: Yeah. Uh,
Elizabeth: so Montana, just from moving to Connecticut to Montana, is it as beautiful and outdoorsy as we see on the movies and TV?
Blake: yes, it was incredible. I, yeah, I mean, I, it was the best decision I ever made in my life. I went to college in Missoula, Montana, which is like Western Montana. The college has a mountain on campus. Like, I don’t, there’s just like such cool things. I. Did like field trips to Yellowstone. Like I, it was just, it’s, it was so cool and so different for me.
And I, you know, met a ton of amazing people there too. And, um, but yes, point is it is incredible and beautiful. And I think in Missoula, it’s like some like ridiculous amount of ski resorts within like a 30 mile radius. Like. You know, it’s just like everyone’s skiing and hiking all the time. And it’s just like, that’s, yeah, it’s incredible.
Elizabeth: Wonderful. I will have to add that to the list of places to visit.
Blake: Definitely.
Elizabeth: And then it’s so fun that you mentioned you got into teaching through Teach for America. We had another guest, um, just recently who also went through that program. And so I kind of love hearing the experience because you, you really sound like you got a gamut of experiences directly from for America to the school in Rhode Island and then to this independent school in Colorado. And I know, um, That when teachers are thinking about leaving or they’re on the fence, they try different environments. So after you had tried those different environments, was the point where you kind of thought, you know, I’m, I’m ready to exit.
Blake: Mm hmm. Yeah. I mean, well, teacher America, I absolutely loved, and I know it’s a hot topic sometimes, and I know there are like a lot of opinions and, I’m so grateful that it got me into teaching. Um, I’m so grateful that, you know, if I was teaching for what, a total of, Oh, 12 years. You know, I think about the number of kids and students who came through my classroom and I, like, I mean, I guess, like, hundreds, you know, like, and I’m, I’m so thankful that, like, even though I’m not staying in teaching that, like, I at least got to, You know, be with those kids and affect those lives, hopefully in a good way.
And so I am like, so thankful for teacher America for just even getting me interested in teaching and even getting me into education for the amount of time I was just, you know, so I love the program for that reason, for just like people that never saw themselves here, like. Here we are. So, um, but yeah, so I switched into the independent school environment.
Definitely, I mean, it was something where I, that was an environment like I grew up in and was something like, I just, I always loved my experience in independent schools. I love my teachers, like my ninth grade history teacher, she spoke at my wedding, you know, like I like have connections with my teachers.
From growing up, I’ve had them forever. And so I just, I’ve, I’ve always been drawn to that community and it’s kind of like, Ooh, teaching and like, Oh, I liked independent schools and there’s so many coaching opportunities. And that was also a really big part of like something that I enjoy and something that like I wanted to be involved in.
And so that switch, you know, for me, brought me a lot of other opportunities to like be engaged with like the school community and like You know, we had teams at the school I was at, uh, for Teach for America, but not field hockey and lacrosse, which like sounds like super privileged, obviously. Um, but so I, you know, was looking for those opportunities and found them in independent schools.
Um, and yeah, so, I mean, as far as my kind of like experiences that led me to leave the classroom. First of all, like I, I didn’t want to lead with this, but I, I can’t help but not lead with it. I had a baby, um, in 2022 and like, I, like, I don’t want to lead with that because I feel like a lot of people are like, Oh, they had a kid that like, They’re leaving and I had a incredible friend, co worker, have an incredible friend, who, you know, when I told him I was pregnant, he was like, Oh God, like, are you going to be one of those teachers that leave?
And I was like, okay, like let’s, maybe we should have places that support women with babies, but like, you know, that’s a whole other thing. But it was one of those things that I just never, never thought I would leave. I remember crying to my head of middle school at the time, when I found out I was pregnant, being so worried that I would suddenly become a bad teacher that like, this kid is going to take up all of my time and emotion and how like teaching is like everything for me and how scared I was that like, I was just gonna lose all of that.
So that was like being pregnant was really hard for me in like identifying this like potential like change in identity. And like I was really scared for it and didn’t want it because I just love my students so much. I love my co workers, I love my community, like. I’m coaching, like I’m there like, you know, every day I’m tutoring, like, I was like, I couldn’t even imagine having a child to like, like how I was even going to find time to care for a child.
So that, um, And then so I had my child in the summer of 2022 and I took those like couple of months off. It was like weird. You’d think I planned it, but like we didn’t we he was born May 31st. So it was literally like the week after our last week of school. Like, I worked until the end, so I took the whole summer off, and then I actually, I had so much anxiety about coming back mid year, and like, I really believe in like classroom culture and setting expectations, and I was like, I can’t, I do not want to come back mid year.
Because the kids, like, it’ll just, I don’t, that gives me too much anxiety. And so I ended up going back to school for September and October or like August, September, October. And then I took maternity leave for most of October, November and December. So it was really nice. Cause I got to go back for the first couple of months, like.
You know, set the expectations, decorate my classroom, you know, like all those things. Um, and then was gone for a few months and then came back for second semester. And I remember this one night in September, like a few weeks into the school year and which, you know, my inability to compartmentalize and.
I shouldn’t have had my email on my phone, like all those things. But like, you know, I got an email from a parent. Well, actually I read the email during the school day in my defense, but you know, brought the email home and the emotions home and every, any teacher out there knows, like, you can get 5, 000 amazing emails from teachers and students, but like, you always focus on that one email.
And I got this one email that just made me so. mad and it was about like a kid being put in like a lab group that they didn’t like. And I was like, are you serious? Like I’m at home right now with like a four month old and I want to like be present, but like, I’m stressed out about some kids like lab group.
And I’m like, and that was, I was like, this is not okay. This is not what I want for myself or like anyone. So that was kind of like a big moment of realization, but I also want to make it clear, like, it’s not just about, like, having a kid.
I’m not, like, just, I didn’t just leave because I had a kid. There were also some like things that came up at my school. I don’t want to say like politically, but like, um, the politics of like the school that came up that, um, I wasn’t happy with that, like affected me enough that I was like, This isn’t really gonna work for me.
Blake: And it was enough to like, it was just changes were like, you know, I could only do tutoring like on campus between like 3. and like, Which like, you know, I’ve tutored kids after like high school practice, you know, so it was like, they’re in practice, like, I can’t, like, that doesn’t work. Or like, I would tutor kids in the summer, like that wasn’t allowed.
I was, and all my students were really excited too, to like babysit my child. And they made a pretty serious rule about not letting students babysit. And that was like a really big deal for me, because I was like, okay, I have this like three month old. I’m a brand new parent. I don’t know what I’m doing.
Like, I need someone to babysit, but like, I don’t want to find some like random kid in the neighborhood.
Elizabeth: Right.
Blake: Like, I have these students who I’ve known for five, six, seven years that like, I tru I trust them. I trust their families. Like, I trust them to babysit my child. And I wasn’t, that opportunity didn’t happen.
And so that was upsetting, um, and upsetting enough that that was like, that really affected me. was tired after that. And so I think that I fell to that. I just, and I think it was at a point too, where I kind of was wondering like, Where am I going next?
I had always been really interested in administration in schools, but honestly, after covid I was like, oh, my God, I feel so bad for them. Like, I do not want to be in that position. And, you know, Not that we should expect COVID to happen again, but like, you know, I, I just, I saw what they all went through and was like that I have no interest in that anymore.
Elizabeth: You know, like everyone has these different experiences and I loved, like it was very vivid when you spoke about that email coming home with you. And I think that kind of resonates a lot of teachers, you know, you, you care and you’re invested.
And so it’s hard to. that stopping point at the end of the day, because that does follow you through because these are families relationships. It’s, it’s a continuous cycle. And then just kind of hearing about some of the changes after covid. And. you’re in a position, you’re an administrative assistant, and I can’t wait to hear about that and kind of. you chose that and how you decided to go that route. I know you mentioned you noticed admin at school, but, you know, didn’t quite want to be back in the school environment. So tell us a little bit about leaving education and getting your foot in the door with this position as an admin. an admin assistant.
Blake: Yeah. So I’m going to be like totally on this journey with you because it’s a little like, I mean, I guess, honestly, similar to how I went from like Connecticut to Montana, I just kind of went for something like that’s kind of, that is basically how I ended up here. I. You know, I took the teacher Career coach course.
I listened to the podcast for probably like a couple years, like before I even like, had made the decision to leave, like, you know, I, all the podcasts, everyone was like, oh, these are so great. So I like always listened to them. I did the course, you know, so I had gone through the little like quiz at the beginning and I haven’t looked at the website recently, so I assume it’s still there, but.
Like I had done the quiz. It’s like, you know, you’re a teacher, which like field do you think you’ll go into? And, you know, I, I took it and took it very seriously and it was like, Oh, you would be great at corporate training or like, um, yeah, I think corporate training was just kind of like the general, Like that would be like a route for you.
And I was like, Oh, that sounds so cool. Like designing lessons, designing curriculum, like for adults and I get paid more, you know, I was like, this is what I do every day, but I, yeah, would get paid more I’m parent Aren’t going to be emailing me at night. And like this. Like I was like, yes, this sounds like exactly what I want to do.
And so when I started applying for jobs, like I, you know, didn’t go back 2023, like that school year, I didn’t go back. And so I started applying for jobs and. You know, apply, I like a bajillion different kinds of like, yeah, corporate training. So I was looking into all those roles and they all sounded so fun and cool and you get paid more. And like, I was like, great. And honestly I just didn’t get any, like I, I got to the final round for two, um, that I was excited about, but didn’t get the jobs.
And so, you know, it was kind of like, and as I’m sure people who are out there looking for jobs, like it’s defeating, it’s hard, like you can do all these courses all you want, but it’s, there’s still that, you know, and you all talk about the, um. Oh my gosh, what’s it called? Imposter syndrome, like, having that imposter syndrome, like, you know, I could try as hard as I want to tell myself it’ll be fine, but like, when you keep getting no’s, it gets harder to tell yourself that.
And so, I, I, this is like literally what I did, is I, I went on to like LinkedIn or, um, zip recruiter or whatever. And I clicked like one click apply on like 10 jobs. Cause I was like, you know what? I’m so like, I’m so frustrated. And at some point you’re like, I just also just need a job. Like I need to get paid.
And so I one clicked applied for administrative assistant jobs. At like a few like, like random places that had one click applies and I chose that because I was like, okay, like as I researched jobs, I was like, well, if I’m not going to get one of these, like, you know, jobs that I got that I, my quiz results that, you know, said that that would be a good job for me.
I was like, okay, like administrative assistant, everything I’ve read, it’s, you know, entry level. So, you know, thinking that I have no skills apparently, like, you know, I’m like, oh, this will, I should be good at this. Like I can write emails, I can schedule things on a calendar, like, You know, I was like, okay, this is like, this should be fine.
So I got, I got a call from one of the places, the place where I am now, I got a call from them and the one of the owners was like, hi, this is so and so from Timberline tax.
You applied for a job here. And
Like I, why not try something new first of all, and why not try something that, you know, I feel like when you’re shifting careers. You know, maybe won’t be, I don’t know, like, I think some of the skills required, I’m like, okay, like I feel confident in writing emails. Like maybe I don’t feel super confident, like corporate culture.
But like, I know kind of like the requirements for this job. I like felt good about, so I was kind of like, okay, like that piece I felt confident in. And so. That’s why I kind of tried out administrative assistant positions. And that is where I am now. So, yeah,
Elizabeth: Oh, I love hearing that, um, transition. And I think a lot of job seekers and teachers right now who are, who are in the spot, they’re applying to jobs, you know, maybe have a specific career in mind. What advice or thoughts would you tell them to maybe kind of think? Outside of the box, or if there’s a certain pathway that they’re going to be maybe open minded, uh, to a different position.
Do you have, cause I know that was kind of your story. You were looking at corporate training and then you kind of found this alternative path that you now really enjoy and work with great people. So is, are there any tips or thoughts about that process?
Blake: yeah. So one thing, you know, when I look back, like, so I started working here in November of 2023. So I have not even been here for a year yet. And I came in and the content Learning, like the learning curve for tax was like wild. I mean that, like I bought like taxes for dummies. Like I went home and I was like to my husband, I’m like, please help me.
I don’t get any of this. Like, and just like teaching, they have all these acronyms and do, do, do. And you’re like, what is happening? And so the content was why, I mean, that was just like, I truly went from zero. To where I am now, which is definitely not a zero. but one thing I, I’ve been really excited about that.
I feel excited that why I want to share to other teachers who are thinking about leaving, like, why to look into administrative assistance or kind of those kind of roles is that, you know, I came in and was handed a literal binder for new employee training. And I was like, binders, like I didn’t, you know, I’m like, it’s not online.
Like, you know, I was like, okay. And kind of went through things. And then I said to the owner one day, like just off the cuff, like, you know, I, I would love to redesign these training materials. Like, I feel like we could do better than a binder. And. Like I, I like designing curriculum. I like doing this kind of stuff.
Like I’d be happy to do it. And unlike teaching, he was like, Hey, I would love that. And we’ll pay you to do this. So I was like, cool. I get rewarded and recognized for doing something extra. So that was nice. And so I, with my, with one of the owners kind of, we set up, have set up a schedule that was like every month I would submit like, frankly, lessons basically to him on different topics that we need employees to understand.
We need new employees, especially to understand. And it was funny because the first conversation I had, I. Went home to my husband. I was like, Oh my gosh, they’re going to let me design the curriculum for new employees. Like, I’m so excited. Like, should I, like, I was like, okay, I need to start learning Canva.
Like, should I, I’m going to have like, Like pay for a membership for like these websites. So I can like design these like really like crazy things that will be so exciting and engaging and to do. And my husband was like, Blake, they had a binder. Like I think the bar is set pretty low. Like you, you know, don’t, don’t go crazy here.
So um, I, you know, I was like a huge, I am a huge like Google person. So I, Made like a Google sites, which I’d done a ton of times at my school. I made a bunch of slides and docs and like literally I’ve used every, yeah, every Google products that I was like, Oh, I’ll just throw that in there. And. Everyone was really impressed.
Like it was, it was just funny cause it’s things that I’m like, Oh, I do this every day. Do, do, do, do, do throwing stuff together that, you know, when, when I was teaching, it’d be like midnight or like 30 minutes before class starts. And I’m like throwing together a lesson or something. And I was like, Oh, like they like appreciate this and are impressed by something that I do.
Did so like, like without even thinking about it at one point in my life, like it was just like, no thoughts were given to putting slideshows together. And all of a sudden it was like, meant a lot more here than it ever did anywhere else at my school. So it, that was kind of a moment for me where I was like, Oh, wow, I have these skills of designing curriculum that like, I would never be like, Oh, a tax company needs someone to like design lessons.
Like. I don’t even think they knew that that was like, they didn’t post for some person, like to design curriculum for new employees. Like I just came and was like, this is something I like, I feel like there’s an opportunity here for me to bring this skill. And I have now, like now it’s this whole thing that I’m super excited about in my role.
So I just had, we had two new employees start, uh, like a couple months ago. I’ve been like one on one training them and we have like incredible people here. So I’m not like the only one training them, but I’ve kind of been like in charge of them, if you will. Like they’ve gone through my like learning modules.
I’m kind of one of their resource to ask questions were having a training in a couple days about like I’m running a training that’s like how to write professional emails. So again, things that are like second nature to me, I feel like at this point, but it’s actually, there are things that if you’re not like emailing every day, I don’t, you don’t think about these things.
And so there are again, like holes that we’re kind of recognizing, like, Oh. This would be great. Um, I’m also studying right now to get my enrolled agent license. So it’s basically a, um, like I had take three exams. It’s kind of like a little like the CPA, but not quite as intense. But basically I will be able to represent people in front of the IRS.
And at my job, I’ll be able to like call like special numbers that I’m not able to call right now. And so, and I get a pay raise. So. I, I’m doing that right now, which is also exciting and also very intimidating because it’s again all this content that I just know nothing about. I’m like, wow, this is actually really interesting. And like studying for tests. I’m like, wow. Like, I don’t, like, I actually have like some motivation to read and learn new things where I feel like when I was in the thick of teaching. Like I was like, I don’t even want to look at a book when I got home.
I was like, I don’t want to look at words. I don’t want to learn anything new. Like, I was just like, I’m so tired and I just can’t. And suddenly I’m like, Oh, like I want to learn. So that’s been really fun. And so I also, once I get my EA license, like the idea is that I’ll be able to run, Kind of industry required trainings at our business.
So, you know, there are all these kinds of like, like my, the owners of the company are really supportive and looking, looking at a future with me of like, Hey, these are clearly your strengths. We see you like a year or two from now and so on. And so it’s also kind of nice. I’m like, okay, like I’m not getting fired, but you know, they see this potential that can really serve this company.
And I think was a hole that, you know, they didn’t realize they had or didn’t realize they could do something about or that someone could, you know, come and be like, hey, let me address this. So that’s been something, you know, that’s really exciting for me. And, you know, to get into like the logistics of it, you know, I haven’t even been here a year and I’ve already gotten now like, or, you know, Like I’m getting paid more to do this training.
I will hopefully be getting my EA license. So I’ll be getting a pay bump with that. Um, I guess like any job you get pay bumps every year or whatever, but like, I’m already seeing like these opportunities for growth that like, I’m like, I haven’t even been here a year and I’m already getting like new roles and responsibilities and like, Doing all these cool things that I don’t know.
I, I just, I feel re energized, I guess, and feel appreciated and feel yeah, I don’t, I just, I feel, I’m really excited about doing these things and I have incredible work hours. I work 6. 30 to 2. 30 and I’m an early person, so that doesn’t bother me. But, like, I’m Done at 2 30 every day. And I have to pick up my child at 4 30.
So I have like two hours every day, which right now I go and study for these exams, but I could go exercise. I could do all these things. And that’s amazing. We don’t bring work home. I don’t even have like a work laptop. I don’t have email on my phone. I mean, I like me on the weekends now is just, I don’t even recognize.
Like, like I don’t sit on my laptop all weekend and like watch TV and plan lessons and like email and like, even just when I go home at night, I’m like, I pick up my kid and like, can be with him, which like, to be fair, that it is very like, that’s a lot every day, but like, I, I just, I’m able to do these things.
I’m like mentally, emotionally, so much more presence than I was previously. And. That makes me happy. And I guess that’s this like happiness. This like, I feel very like balanced. I feel like I’m able to be present and like when I come to work, I do work. And when I clock out, I clock out. And that like concept to me, It is so unknown and just so wild.
Elizabeth: All of that, like, I love hearing all of that. You went into growth opportunities in your position, what you do day to day, and just what you said about the skills. The skills that teachers bring with them to new positions. Sometimes we’re not, like you said, we’re not even thinking about them because they’re second nature.
And you got into this position. And found these little holes or room for improvement. when you work hard, ask to improve things and they say, yes, please. Of course. And in administrative assistant positions, I think. There’s sometimes this like preconceived notion with entry level positions that it’ll just be emails or it’ll just be scheduling you’re doing onboarding. know, you’re writing curriculum training. Uh, there are so many things involved with it. And then in my, in my Um, experience too. I went into administrative assistant right after my transition. So, it was like a whole new world as well because it’s, it is so much more than just calendar and email.
You really have to, there are so many parallels from teaching, I think, because you, you’re keeping everything organized as you did with your classroom, your team. Um, so it’s just, so excited to get to meet with you because I do think that’s kind of like a career path that’s that’s explored a little bit, but but not too heavily.
So I’m excited for people to hear and listen and kind of maybe, you know, start exploring that area. See what they find or their specific skills. I know you kind of mentioned, you know, organization lesson planning for for those teachers who are looking to get into this. What kind of things should they start to do now? To be prepared.
Blake: Um, on like a, like minor thing. I mean, this isn’t like funny, but it is kind of funny is that like I, my school was all like Google and like Macs. And now I’m in like the PC world, which is like, so that was like a lot for me. I was like, I haven’t used a PC since I was in like seventh grade. And so that was like a lot for me.
So I don’t know, like, Microsoft Word, like, revisit that, I guess. Um, I, I think some other things that I have really, like, didn’t realize the skills that I, like, like multitasking is this just, like, Like saying multitasking sounds like, yeah, I can multitask, but it’s like, it is like a real skill that I didn’t even, I wouldn’t even be like, Oh yeah, I’m a good multitasker.
Like, I’d be like, yeah, I’m just a teacher. Like, that’s just like what we do, but that’s not a skill everyone has. And you come out like in my job, I’m like emailing clients. I’m the phone. I’m on the phone. I’m on hold with the IRS. I’m writing letters. You know, I’ve got, my boss is like messaging me like, okay, we have to do this right now.
Like. I mean, there are 5 billion things going on at the same time, but it’s like, I have organization systems that I know work for me. I know how to like jump from one thing to the other. I know how to like do all that and stay like calm, cool, and collected. Like there are all these things that like, I, I didn’t even have to, like, I didn’t need a lot of support of like, okay, once you’re done on the phone, now go write a note on our little, like.
You know where we record notes and now go do this and like it was just like it came so quickly to me I also we work with clients So my boss and I like we have like a book of clients who we work with and like the relationship building has been so funny because Like all my co workers Like make fun of me.
Cause they’re like, Blake, why do you know so much about your clients? I asked them questions and like, we’re chit chatting. And it’s just, that’s been kind of funny that I like, I’m also at this point with some of my clients where it’s just like that relationship building piece is, was something I did every freaking day, you know?
And like, I’m like, Oh, like I’m just naturally like chit chatting with people and. Then we, you know, these clients are really happy with our work. They’re, you know, they continue to want our help. And, and, you know, it’s like, I’m, I’m just chit chatting with them. And that’s something that. You know, I just, I didn’t really think a whole lot about but yeah, I’m in this job where I’m talking to clients a lot who are also in really vulnerable positions there.
They are, their homes are getting levied. Their wages are getting garnished. Like, they are getting scary letters in the mail from the IRS and like, they’re like, emotions are high. Similar to like working with middle schoolers. And I’m just like, I’m like, yeah, like can really like talk people down. And which again, I just, I’m just used to doing, um, so I have found that that has transferred really well also.
Elizabeth: That conflict resolution. Absolutely.
And you mentioned a little bit earlier, but I’d love to hear a bit more about your work life balance. You know, you told us about your new schedule, which sounds great. You can get home in time to pick up your child, um, any other things and, you know, I know you mentioned on the weekend, you feel a bit freer.
Blake: Yeah, I mean, I, I, my balance has been so much better and I think I’m also, I think like, you know, I’m also I’ve been in a professional world for 12 years. So I’m also like better at boundaries now. And I think, I guess one thing that also. I have realized a lot more now that I’ve left teaching and this sounds really dramatic, but I’m pretty sure I’ve also like, this is also common narrative.
I feel like is leaving teaching was kind of like leaving this like toxic relationship that I was like, wow, the guilt that goes on with like, Like, oh, well, you’re not going to do that. Like the kids will be so sad. Like, you know, this, the constant narrative of like, well, like, you know, we really trust you.
We believe that you can do this, like take on these extra tasks and, you know, you’ll be tired. It doesn’t matter. Like you’re the hard worker. Like we recognize that. And all these, just like these messages of just like work harder, do a lot more stuff and don’t get paid. And just the, the guilt of the kids.
Being out of it now, I’m like, wow, like it’s so unhealthy. And now that I don’t have that as much anymore, it’s like, okay. Like, I don’t need to like, like if I have a client who’s, you know, has stuff going on, I don’t go home anymore. Like. Worried about it. Like, I’m like, okay, like, you know what it is? Like, I’m not, no one is guilting me into being like, Ooh, can you just like check your email later and see what they said?
Like, you know, they like, you know, they’re, I don’t know, they’re students and like, we need to like, you know, keep an eye on them kind of thing. I’m like, Nope, there’s no, there’s none of that guilt. There’s none of the like pressure to do things outside of work, which like, frankly, I always had while I was teaching.
And even that comes with like coaching, like every day I was at my school after school doing coaching and games. And like, but that’s not something, you know, which is, it’s super nice. It’s like those boundaries are. Like, and I don’t know, I feel like there are some teachers who did set boundaries and then it was like, they almost got this like reputation for like not being helpful.
And it’s like, okay, like these boundaries are important and that’s helped a lot, but also everyone has boundaries here. Like it’s just normal not to like check your work email. And it’s just normal to like clock out and not do work at home. So that has been interesting. And it’s also like, I, like, I think perspective has been really interesting.
Like I’m like. I’m working with clients who like are literally losing their homes to the IRS. And like, they’re more like professional with me than like a parent who’s pissed about what lab group their kid is in like, like, that’s also I’m like, wow, like, that has just been also really just mind blowing to me is like, how, how much more professionally treated, I don’t know how I feel like I’ve been treated more professionally.
Elizabeth: Just hearing that contrast. I appreciate you sharing that because I also think a lot of teachers will, will just connect with it. And I’m so excited that you got to share today about your position and your new work life balance. I can’t wait for everyone to listen. And we love to kind of wrap these up by hearing about, um, what did you learn about yourself during this process?
From, from leaving a place that you loved. In education to moving into this whole new world of tax and new career.
Blake: Yeah, yeah, it feels like I joked in the beginning, I was like, it feels very like Elle Woods of me, you know, I’m like, law school, like, why not? I’m like, uh, taxes, why not? And, but it is really like, I don’t, like, I do really feel like teachers can do anything. I mean, it’s just, like, I think about what we all did during COVID is just wild to even, like, I get tired thinking about what I did during COVID.
And I think just being able teaching in COVID. I think in that alone is like you can literally do anything. But I don’t know. It’s also I’ve realized that I do have all these like little weird skill, not weird skills, but I have all these skills that other people don’t have that, you know, it’s like, yeah, little things like writing emails.
Like, I wrote professional emails like all freaking day long to like, to students, to families, to administrators, to colleagues, like that, that wrote emails all day. And now it’s like, that’s something that’s like a skill that you specifically need here that I feel like just wasn’t like, it was just an understood skill, I guess, um, as a teacher.
And now it’s actually something like, like I’m going to be training a couple of new employees on like writing professional emails this week, like. That’s something people need to learn, and it’s not something that is, um, inherent, I guess, to everyone, as much as it is to teaching.
elizabeth-suto_1_09-17-2024_103302: Well, I love to hear that and thank you so much for your time today, Blake. We really appreciate having you and I can’t wait for everyone to tune in.
Blake: thank you, and I’m sorry if I talk too much, I’m just like, I am super excited. Like I’m in a really good place and I, you know, want the best for everyone. And I think that a year ago I was like, a year ago, I would have been like, I wonder where I’ll be in a year. And I don’t think I would have said here, but I’m so happy about where I am.
And I’m happy that I went through the process and I’m happy that like, I kind of listened to myself and I’m doing what’s best for me right now.
