Aussie Teacher Quit the Classroom for Love in New York City

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Cara quit the classroom and followed the love of her life to New York City, not only did she find love but she also found a new career outside of traditional teaching. Explore Aussie Teacher, Cara Zelas’ inspiring journey! Discover how her passion for social and emotional learning led her to create her business, “Big World of Little Dude.” Gain insights into her transferable teaching skills, valuable resources, and actionable advice for teachers who are considering a career change. Join Cara on her path to making a positive impact in education beyond the classroom. Cara Zelas, an Australian teacher with a degree from Macquarie University, embarked on a remarkable journey that took her from a Grade 4 classroom to the bustling streets of New York City. Her teaching career evolved as she discovered her passion for social and emotional learning (SEL) and the profound impact of kindness. In this blog post, we delve into Cara’s story of transitioning from a traditional teaching role to becoming an educational entrepreneur.

Life before Cara Quit Teaching

Cara’s teaching journey began in a Grade 4 classroom, where she nurtured young minds and witnessed the transformative power of education. Her pursuit of further education led her to obtain Montessori certification for early childhood education, opening doors to a new chapter in New York City. However, it was during her time teaching in a Montessori school that she stumbled upon a newfound passion – volunteering with her therapy dog, Little Dude, through the Good Dog Foundation. “This experience profoundly impressed upon me the value of kindness. Motivated by the desire to instil this essential quality in the young minds of my early childhood classroom, I began bringing Little Dude to school”. This experience profoundly impacted Cara, leading her to question the focus of traditional education. Carla explains, “It was a transformative “aha” moment: we meticulously teach children their ABCs and 123s, but why not explicitly teach vital life skills like empathy, kindness, manners, respect, and a growth mindset??” This pivotal moment set her on a path of exploration into social and emotional learning (SEL), where she discovered robust research consistently highlighting positive outcomes for all children.

The passion and conviction inspired her creation of a book series and curriculum aimed at teaching social and emotional skills in an explicit and impactful manner. Cara’s transition from a traditional teaching role to becoming an educational entrepreneur aligned with her desire for balance as she anticipated motherhood. She understood the demands of a traditional classroom didn’t allow her the space she craved and although she loved the school where she was working, the idea to quit the classroom came to life. Cara reflects, “The timing aligned with my desire for balance – to be present with my child while continuing to make a difference in the field of education, but on my terms.” Her desire for balance, to have time for her child but still keep her passion alive is something many mothers can empathise with. This marked the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey with a vision to reach more children than those in her classroom and to instil essential life skills through her platform, “Big World of Little Dude.”

Transferable Skills from Teaching

One of the key takeaways from learning about Cara’s story is her emphasis on how valuable transferable skills from her teaching career have been for her in her entrepreneurial journey. Cara emphasised, “The pedagogical principles and educational philosophy instilled in me during my university years have unequivocally paved the way for a profound comprehension of child development.” Her hands-on experience in the classroom has allowed her to view curriculum development through a teacher’s lens, making it seamless to integrate her curriculum plans into busy classrooms.

Furthermore, her direct interaction with students while teaching has honed her ability to create captivating and efficacious lesson plans. Teachers are equipped with a holistic understanding of the vital role parents play in their children’s growth and learning, as well as the intricate dynamics within school communities. Teaching bestows essential skills, including adeptness in interpersonal relations, impeccable organisational abilities, and the capability to thrive under high-pressure scenarios – all of which have served as a solid foundation for her successful career transition into the entrepreneurial world. This is a common theme we have heard from many of the teacher-turned-entrepreneurs who are in our Exit Stage Teach community.

Investing in Training

Cara’s interest in social and emotional learning (SEL) prompted her to enrol in a course offered by Colorado University. This educational experience not only provided her with invaluable information but also ignited her aspiration to develop a comprehensive social and emotional learning curriculum. “Upon recognising the well-documented benefits and outcomes associated with SEL, I was deeply inspired,” Cara emphasises the importance of courses and specialised training tailored to one’s unique circumstances and objectives.

In the pursuit of a career change, investing in education and training can be a game-changer. It not only equips individuals with the knowledge they need but also fosters a deep understanding of the subject matter, which is crucial for success in a new career path. Cara also recommends finding the right course of training specific to your needs and doing your due diligence first. Given the plethora of available courses, it is crucial to invest time in diligent research to identify the most suitable course or training program tailored to your unique circumstances and objectives. This is something we value at Exit Stage Teach through offering a range of curated further study recommendations for our community. You can head to our resources section on our website for great recommendations for courses and other support for teachers wanting to leave teaching.

Quit the classroom and start an Educational Business

Starting your own business can be a daunting endeavour, especially when venturing into uncharted territory. We love Cara’s approach which involved her taking small, manageable steps, fostering a strong appetite for learning, and establishing connections with fellow entrepreneurs. Sharing her business ideas with others held her accountable and highlighted the reality of her endeavour, “As I gradually solidified my initial concept, I started sharing it with others; this not only lent a tangible sense of reality to my endeavour but also held me accountable for its realization. The more I engaged in conversations about my business idea, the more my confidence grew. It became evident that success in entrepreneurship often requires venturing outside one’s comfort zone.”

The idea for “Big World of Little Dude” emerged from Cara’s volunteer work with her therapy dog, Little Dude, through the Good Dog Foundation. It was the exchange of kindness and connections with the people they encountered that inspired her to instil the values of kindness in young students. This revelation led her to explore social and emotional learning, ultimately resulting in the creation of a series of books and lesson plans.

Networking and Building Connections

Networking played a pivotal role in Cara’s career transition and getting her phenomenal work out into the community. “Networking is a vital component of my business strategy. It provides a means to establish connections within my industry, connect with the right individuals, and ensure that my business doesn’t go unnoticed in the community. People genuinely seek to connect with the individuals behind the brands they encounter, and stepping into your local community is key to achieving that visibility.

She became a member of the HeyMama network, an association dedicated to supporting entrepreneurial mothers. This group provided her with essential connections, professional development opportunities, and meaningful relationships with others who shared similar entrepreneurial journeys. “This group has proven to be an indispensable asset, linking me with like-minded peers, presenting opportunities for professional development through its diverse range of webinars, and fostering meaningful relationships with others who share similar entrepreneurial journeys.” Networking events, industry associations, and online communities can be invaluable for making connections and gaining insights into your desired industry.

Favourite Resources for Entrepreneurs

Cara recommends using Canva for its versatility and ease of use, a valuable resource for creating engaging content. It’s a fabulous platform to support marketing and brand development. Additionally, she’s an avid podcast listener and finds inspiration and knowledge from podcasts like Seth Godin’s “Akimbo,” “Lady Start-Up Stories,” and “How I Built This with Guy Raz.”

I am an avid podcast listener, some of my favorites:
Seth Godin, Akimbo (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/akimbo-a-podcast-from-seth-godin/id1345042626)
Lady Start-Up Stories (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lady-startup-stories/id1361401612)
Guy Raz How I Built This (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297)

Quit the classroom and stay motivated

Cara’s motivation and resilience are rooted in her deep sense of purpose, she describes, “My business embodies my true purpose, and I am deeply passionate about child education and development.” This sense of purpose drives her forward, even in the face of challenging moments and setbacks. “Consequently, when I encounter challenging moments, which are abundant in the entrepreneurial journey, and face numerous rejections and disappointments, it is my sense of purpose – the drive to create thoughtful and engaging content to support children, teachers, and parents – that keeps me steadfastly motivated.” Discovering your own purpose and allowing it to propel you toward your next career endeavour is crucial for finding fulfilment and perseverance.

Unexpected Benefits and Positive Outcomes

Leaving the traditional teaching profession brought about several positive outcomes for Cara, including newfound flexibility in balancing family life and work. While challenges exist in entrepreneurship and she acknowledges the risk associated with entrepreneurship, the ability to shape her own schedule and make a positive impact in education beyond the classroom has been a significant reward, “the ability to balance family life and work has been a significant and positive outcome of this transition.”

Advice for Teachers who want to quit the classroom

Cara’s advice to fellow teachers who want to quit the classroom is,“Start by self-assessing your skills, interests, and desires. Explore alternative career paths that align with your strengths, research diligently, and network in your chosen field. Recognise the value of your transferable skills, maintain resilience, and view change as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Trust in your adaptability and seize the chance to pursue a purpose-driven career beyond teaching.” We all deserve to be happy and finding that happy place might actually be closer than you think.

Overcoming Obstacles and Setbacks

Cara acknowledges that her entrepreneurial journey had its share of obstacles. Navigating the competitive landscape of educational content creation and managing the demands of entrepreneurship as a solo entrepreneur were significant challenges. “My journey with my business, Big World of Little Dude, has been an incredible adventure filled with both ups and downs. While I’ve been passionate about promoting social and emotional learning (SEL) through engaging content for children, teachers, and parents, I certainly encountered obstacles along the way. One of the main hurdles was navigating the competitive landscape of educational content creation and gaining visibility in a crowded market.” However, she highlights the importance of continuous learning, seeking mentorship, and refining her business strategy. Leveraging her teaching experience to create valuable, engaging content that resonated with her target audience has been instrumental in overcoming these obstacles. She recommends you be consistent. We have a number of articles and resources in our Exit Stage Teach community to help support you in your journey to quit the classroom and head out into the entrepreneurial space. Our Blogs ‘How to quit teaching to launch a tutoring business’ and ‘Building a thriving business as a Teacherpreneur‘ offer some excellent insight into how to set up your own business.

Expanding a business outside of the Australian market

Cara describes her experience of working in the Australian and American business markets, “The difference between the Australian and American markets is size and spending capacity. And also how you network – networking in Australia and America, in my opinion and experience is very different. There is a different culture of abundance versus scarcity. The internet and e-commerce have opened a wide door for opportunity for anyone looking at expanding outside the Australian market. There are so many skills that teachers have that can be applied outside the classroom, it is a matter of looking outside of the box and being open to taking risks.” Looking to markets outside of Australia offers more opportunities for your business however, as Cara describes this is something you need to research and understand before jumping in.

Cara Zelas’ journey from teaching to entrepreneurship is a testament to the potential for a career change for teachers. Cara simply describes her journey,”My business began organically – it started with me bringing my dog, Little Dude, into the classroom to teach the children about being kind and dog therapy. I began writing the Big World of Little Dude Book series and curriculum while I was still a classroom teacher. I wanted to have time with my newborn, usually, maternity leave here in the USA is 6-weeks, and I knew that going back into the classroom after 6 weeks post-birth wasn’t an option for me. I also found my passion – Social and Emotional Learning – and I wanted to pursue a mission of bringing SEL to classrooms. I love teaching. Of course, there are challenges with any job however, I worked in schools that were supportive and innovative.” It’s refreshing to hear that Cara loved her teaching career and has been able to create a business around her passion of Social and Emotional Learning. We thank Cara for her fantastic advice and getting in touch with our Exit Stage Teach team all the way from the USA. We wish her the best in her journey with Big World of Little Dude. Read below to find out more about Cara and how you might benefit from Cara’s business.

More about Cara and the Big World of Little Dude

Cara Zelas – I am a teacher, entrepreneur and the founder of Big World of Little Dude, an educational platform teaching children, aged 3-7, social and emotional skills delivered via a book series and toys for home and curriculum for teachers in the classroom. The main character of the book is based on Little Dude, a real-life therapy dog, we volunteer with the Good Dog Foundation. It was our experience volunteering and being kind to people in our community that inspired me to start teaching about kindness in the classroom. We are also about to launch the HumanKIND Curriculum, which is a 13-week, literacy-based program for preschool and kindergarten. I grew up in Australia, and currently reside in the USA and my company Big World of Little Dude straddles both the Australian and US markets.

Cara also has a new program, EmpowerED Partners, which will comprise a select group of people to help champion and sell the humanKIND Curriculum. This could be a great opportunity for Exit Stage Teach members, please reach out to Cara if this is something you are interested in. Cara has also kindly offered the Exit Stage Teach community who what to learn about the EmpowerED Partner program to get in touch and she will waive the $150 sign-up fee.

Connect with Cara and Big World of Little Dude

If you’re interested in exploring Cara’s educational platform, “Big World of Little Dude,” you can find her on the following platforms: