Why I’m Going All In on Redesigning the Teaching Profession
Photo by Dose Media on Unsplash
For years, I’ve worked at the intersection of teaching, leadership, and innovation. I’ve taught in classrooms, led teams, trained educators, and designed programs that challenge the status quo. But something’s shifted.
I’m no longer content with tinkering around the edges.
I’m going all in on one big, urgent goal: redesigning the teaching profession from the ground up.
What’s Changing
Up until now, this space has held a mix of my reflections on education, innovation, and the evolving world we teach in. That won’t completely go away—but it’s narrowing in, getting sharper.
From this point forward, this space (The Profession) will become the digital home base for the ideas, frameworks, and movements I’m building around one central mission:
Build a teaching profession that attracts, retains, and honors the people we can’t afford to lose. That means a profession that’s not just sustainable—but inspiring. Not just functional—but aspirational.
One where teachers are paid like experts, treated like professionals, and given the time and freedom to grow, rest, and lead.
My Manifesto
We cannot solve the teacher shortage without solving the profession.
And we can’t solve the profession until we rethink its very foundation.
So I’m working to build something bold and actionable—a new blueprint for the teaching profession rooted in four pillars:
Financial Growth: Clear, ambitious compensation frameworks that reflect expertise and impact.
Professional Growth: Real leadership paths, relevant development, and space to grow without burning out.
Voice: A seat at the table—designing systems, shaping policy, and leading innovation.
Time: Strategic scheduling, sabbaticals, and built-in breathing room that sustains longevity.
This isn’t a think tank for the sake of ideas. It’s a design lab for change.
What to Expect Moving Forward
You’ll get an inside look at what I’m building—from frameworks and blueprints to book drafts and behind-the-scenes thinking. I’ll share:
Behind-the-scenes of my upcoming book
Frameworks to shift how schools structure, fund, and support the profession
Concrete models—like a paid teacher sabbatical program—that districts can adopt now
Narrative strategy to reframe tired talking points and build public support
Fresh ideas for building a profession people want to enter—and stay in
We cannot recruit and retain high-quality educators in a profession designed to exhaust them.
If you’re a teacher, school leader, policymaker, journalist, or just someone who cares about the future of education—this is for you.
This work is personal.
It’s urgent.
And it’s just getting started.
Let’s redesign The Profession, together.
—Jennifer