My Journey Back to Education After a Career Break—What I Wish I Knew

The Decision to Return

After dedicating years to my career in teaching, curriculum development, instructional design, and education effectiveness, I made the decision to step away from full-time work to focus on raising my children. It was a choice I don’t regret, but like many professionals who take a career break, returning felt daunting.

I worried:
✅ Would my skills still be relevant?
✅ How would I explain the career gap on my resume?
✅ Could I keep up with the latest trends in education and instructional design?
✅ Would potential employers or clients view my break as a weakness?

Looking back, I realize I was not alone in these concerns. Many educators, instructional designers, and consultants take breaks for family, personal growth, or other commitments. If you're in this position, you can absolutely make a successful return—but there are things I wish I had known before I started.

Lesson #1: Your Skills Are More Relevant Than You Think

One of my biggest fears was that I had fallen behind. But as I started reviewing job postings, networking, and talking to colleagues, I realized that my core skills were still in high demand.

✅ Curriculum development remains essential in education and corporate learning.
✅ Instructional design continues to evolve, but foundational principles like backward design, Bloom’s taxonomy, and UDL are timeless.
✅ Educational effectiveness & assessment are still critical for schools and organizations.

💡 What I Wish I Knew: Instead of doubting myself, I should have started with a skills inventory—listing all the ways my experience still applied to today’s educational landscape.

Tip: Even if you’ve been away, your problem-solving skills, leadership, and instructional expertise haven’t disappeared! You may just need to refresh your knowledge of new tools and trends.

Lesson #2: Take a Core Course to Refresh Your Knowledge

One of the best decisions I made in my return was taking a core course through Educator Forever.

✅ Why? It provided a structured, up-to-date learning experience that helped me get back on track.
✅ What I Gained: Practical strategies in curriculum design, instructional coaching, and new trends in education.
✅ Biggest Benefit: It boosted my confidence and provided instant credibility when applying for jobs and consulting work.

💡 What I Wish I Knew: Taking one high-quality course is more impactful than trying to self-teach everything at once.

Tip: If you're re-entering education, enroll in a focused course that aligns with your career goals—whether it's curriculum design, EdTech, or instructional leadership. It’s an investment that pays off!

Lesson #3: Networking is Your Biggest Asset

During my career break, I lost touch with some professional connections. I assumed that job searching was about applying to positions, but I quickly realized that networking is more powerful than any resume.

How I Rebuilt My Network (and How You Can Too!)

✅ I reached out to former colleagues – They offered insights, references, and opportunities.
✅ I engaged on LinkedIn – Sharing my expertise and interacting with educators helped me re-establish credibility.
✅ I joined professional communities – Online groups in curriculum design and instructional effectiveness opened doors to consulting work.
✅ I attended virtual networking events – Engaging in Educator Forever's networking spaces, instructional design webinars, and K-12 curriculum conferences helped me connect with like-minded professionals.

💡 What I Wish I Knew: I didn’t have to restart alone. A strong network can accelerate your return, whether you want to find a job or start consulting.

Tip: If you’ve been away for a while, start reconnecting by commenting on posts, sharing insights, and joining virtual meetups in your field.

Lesson #4: Consulting & Freelancing Can Be a Smart Way to Re-Enter

At first, I assumed returning to education meant finding a full-time job. But through networking, I discovered consulting and freelance opportunities that gave me flexibility and helped me ease back in without committing to a rigid schedule.

✅ Curriculum development projects for schools and educational companies.
✅ Instructional design contracts for online course providers.
✅ Teacher professional development sessions on curriculum alignment.

💡 What I Wish I Knew: I didn’t need a traditional job to re-establish my career. Freelance and contract work allowed me to update my portfolio, build confidence, and gradually transition back into the field.

Tip: If full-time work feels overwhelming, explore short-term projects, part-time roles, or consulting. You can rebuild your career on your own terms.

Lesson #5: Confidence Comes with Action, Not Perfection

For a long time, I hesitated because I wanted to be fully prepared before making a move. I thought I needed:
❌ More certifications
❌ More courses
❌ More job applications

But what actually helped me rebuild my career was taking small, consistent actions.

✅ I updated my LinkedIn and personal website – Showcasing my skills and past work.
✅ I started writing about curriculum design trends – Blogging helped position me as an expert again.
✅ I applied for roles & reached out to contacts – Even if I wasn’t 100% “ready.”

💡 What I Wish I Knew: You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to start. The more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities will come your way.

Tip: Take one step each week—whether that’s sending a message, applying for a contract, or attending an education webinar. Confidence comes through action, not overthinking.

Final Thoughts: Your Career Break is Not a Weakness—It’s a Strength

If you’ve taken time off from education, know this: Your skills, experience, and expertise are still valuable.

Your break was not wasted time—it was a period of growth, learning, and reflection. And when you return, you’ll bring fresh insights, resilience, and renewed purpose to your work.

🚀 Whether you choose full-time work, consulting, or freelancing—there is a place for you in education.

Are you re-entering education after a break? I’d love to hear your experiences! Comment below or connect with me—let’s support each other.

Next Steps: How to Take Action Today

📌 Update Your Resume & Portfolio – Highlight your relevant skills and past experience.
📌 Re-engage Your Network – Reach out to former colleagues and join professional groups.
📌 Start Small – Apply for short-term projects, freelance work, or part-time roles.
📌 Learn Strategically – Focus on 1-2 new trends in education and instructional design.

💡 Want help structuring your career comeback? Let’s connect!