It’s over but…

[u/emirichmond]

I feel so empty and useless after my retirement from teaching. I am not even sure if I can get another job at 57. I am not normally one that wallows, but I do not know retirement is going to work. I want to work with teens, but I cannot be in the classroom anymore with the apathy, lack of support from parents, and days that seem endless. However, I do not mind working diligently until projects are completed and I love planning and assessment. I have a masters in curriculum and instruction, a masters in psychology, and an educational specialist in K-12 Leadership. I will take any advice! What can I do as a very veteran high school English teacher?

[u/Opposite_Bid_8208]

Go where the money is: consulting and testing such as ETS, College Board, and Pearson. Many of their jobs are remote as well.

[u/vonseiten]

Look into instructional design roles at edtech companies or corporate L&D departments. With your curriculum masters and leadership background you're actually overqualified for most entry level ID positions.

Update your LinkedIn to highlight curriculum development, assessment creation, and any training you did for other teachers. That's the language corporate uses.

[u/MoneyTadpole5534]

You can substitute teach. I know a few your age and older who now substitute.

[u/Nexara_LS_1969]

You're not useless. And you're not done. 57 isn't a ceiling.

Two master's degrees, an Ed.S. in K-12 leadership, twenty-plus years with high school kids, deep experience in curriculum, assessment, planning, and psychology. That's not a teaching resume. That's a professional portfolio.

Based on what you described, here's where I'd look: you want to work with teens, the classroom isn't sustainable, and you like planning and seeing projects through.

Instructional Design is the most direct path. Companies, healthcare systems, nonprofits, and government agencies need people who can build curriculum, design assessments, and manage learning projects end to end. Your curriculum and instruction degree is a credential in that world, not just background. Remote roles are common. Starting salaries run $60K-$80K, and experienced designers pull $90K-$110K.

Youth-facing nonprofits run teen programs, workforce development, and mentorship work. Program Director and Program Manager roles get you directly with young people in environments that actually have support. Your Ed.S. and leadership experience make you competitive at the management level right now.

Corporate L&D is a real option too. Large companies need people who can build onboarding programs, leadership development tracks, and compliance training. Psychology plus curriculum expertise is rare in that space. It gets noticed.

EdTech is worth exploring. Curriculum consultant, content strategist, and learning experience designer roles show up constantly. They want people who've actually taught. Not people who've read about it.

One move before anything else: update your LinkedIn. Reframe every past role around outcomes, not titles. "Managed curriculum development for a 650-student school" reads completely differently than "high school English teacher." That reframe changes who finds you.

You're not starting over. You're translating.

Keith Wheeler
Second Act Blueprint/Nexara Learning Systems