From the Classroom to Building a New Business and a Community

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The decision to leave a long-standing career in teaching is never an easy one. For many educators, the classroom represents more than just a job—it’s a vocation, a passion, and a central part of their identity. Michelle Gilchrist, founder of Embrace Education Services, knows this all too well. Her journey from a dedicated teacher in rural New South Wales to the owner of a neuro-affirming support service is one marked by courage, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping children and their families. In this blog post, Michelle shares her story, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of her career transition and the birth of Embrace Education Services and her journey to becoming a Childhood Intervention Specialist, Special Education Teacher, Key Worker and a Neurodiversity Affirming Practitioner, all the while being a Mum of two.

The Teaching Journey

Michelle’s teaching career began in the small town of Wagga Wagga, NSW, where she pursued her teaching degree. With a sense of adventure and a desire to make a difference, she took on an internship in the remote outback town of Broken Hill. What was meant to be a short-term stint during Term 4 of 2010 turned into a five-year commitment, during which Michelle not only honed her teaching skills but also pursued a Master’s degree in Special Education. This was thanks to the encouragement of a kind and inspiring principal who saw her potential and pushed her to further her education. “I planned to stay for Term 4 of 2010 and ended up leaving in 2015 with a Masters in Special Education – thanks to my kind, inspiring principal at the time, who gave me the push to go for the Masters.”

After leaving Broken Hill, Michelle relocated to Albury, where she continued her work as a teacher at a School for Specific Purposes (SSP). Her experience there was transformative, allowing her to specialise in working with children who had unique learning needs. However, after several years in the SSP environment, Michelle made the transition back to mainstream teaching, a change that coincided with the birth of her child. Despite the joy of starting a family, Michelle began to feel the strains of the teaching profession.

The Burnout and the Birth of a New Dream

As time went on, Michelle’s enthusiasm for teaching began to wane. The physical and mental demands of the job became overwhelming, and she found herself struggling to cope. “I was burnt out,” Michelle recalls. “I did not feel safe or supported in my role and struggled every day.” It was during this challenging period that Michelle began to contemplate her future and the possibility of leaving the profession she had dedicated her life to. The idea of a “Plan B” started to take shape in her mind, but the thought of stepping away from teaching filled her with anxiety and uncertainty.

Unable to envision herself doing anything besides teaching, yet knowing she could not continue in her current role, Michelle found herself at a crossroads. “I was stuck between a rock and a hard place,” she explains. During a period of leave, she began to explore other career options, searching for jobs online with the keyword “educator.” It was through this search that Michelle discovered a new path—one that would eventually lead her to establish Embrace Education Services.

Navigating the Transition out of Teaching

The transition out of teaching was not without its challenges. For Michelle, one of the most complex parts was the sense of grief she felt over leaving the profession. “I had dedicated my life to teaching, and I had lost what I thought at the time was my professional identity,” she shares. This loss was difficult to overcome, and it took time for Michelle to reconcile her new career path with the identity she had built as a teacher.

In addition to the emotional challenges, Michelle also had to navigate the practicalities of entering a new field. The learning curves were steep, especially as she moved into roles that required her to adopt different views of the world, children, and learning. Despite these obstacles, Michelle’s background in education proved to be a valuable asset, as she soon realised just how much her teaching experience had equipped her with a deep understanding of child development, learning, and relationships. “Teachers are so adaptable,” she reflects. “This knowledge is invaluable and highly valued by families and health professionals.”

Building a New Skill Set as a Key Worker

Michelle’s journey into her new career began with a role as a Key Worker – Educator at a private practice, where she gained invaluable experience in the allied health world. Working alongside occupational therapists and speech pathologists deepened her understanding of child development from a multidisciplinary perspective. “I learnt a lot, and the act of learning while in the job was amazingly invaluable,” Michelle says.

Her background in Special Education also played a crucial role in her transition. Having already completed a Master’s degree, Michelle had the skills to conduct formal assessments and analyse data. She further enhanced her qualifications by completing the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) assessment training and other online courses to provide screenings for neurodiversity and educational assessments.

Michelle is enrolled in a Master’s program in Developmental Education and Leadership to become a Developmental Educator. Her commitment to continuous learning has been a cornerstone of her success in her new career, allowing her to offer high expertise and support to the children and families she works with.

Classroom to building a new business Embrace Education

The idea for Embrace Education Services was born out of Michelle’s personal experience with her son, who was diagnosed as Twice-Exceptional—intellectually gifted and having ADHD. Dissatisfied with the services available in her area, Michelle began exploring ways to better support her son and others like him. This curiosity and drive to make a difference led her to think about the broader needs of children with developmental delays and disabilities.

While working at a private practice, Michelle’s ideas for supporting children continued to grow. She envisioned social groups, family seminars, weekly support groups, and professional development sessions for schools—ideas that eventually became too big to be contained within the practice she was working in. “I had the intense desire to get my ideas out into the world. I wanted to see them come to life and work,” she says. “And I wanted to do it right.”

With encouragement from her aunt, a professor of entrepreneurship at Melbourne University, and the unwavering support of her husband, Michelle leaped and started her own business. Embrace Education Services was born, offering neuro-affirming support services for children and families, including 1:1 support, group programs, and comprehensive assessments.

Michelle sees Embrace Education Services as a space where she endeavours to share her insights, experiences, and resources. Whether her clients are parents or carers navigating the beautiful complexities of neurodiversity or educators seeking innovative approaches to inclusion, she hopes Embrace Education offers inspiration, support, and a sense of community. This strong bond with building a community is really what sets her apart from other practitioners. Finding this sense of ‘why’ has helped to give her a point of difference in her business.

Networking and Building Connections

One key to Michelle’s success has been her ability to build a strong network of allied health professionals. Regular meetings with other Key Workers and allied health professionals have provided her invaluable support in learning and accountability. “It is wonderful to work with a team to support a child and family holistically,” Michelle notes.

These connections have enriched Michelle’s professional development and helped her establish Embrace Education Services as a trusted and respected provider in her community. The collaborative approach she has fostered ensures that children and families receive the best possible care, with all aspects of their development and well-being considered.

Resources and Strategies for Success

Throughout her career transition, Michelle has relied on various resources to help her navigate the challenges and opportunities of her new path. While much of her recent learning has come from her Master’s studies, she has also found practical tools, such as a professionally designed resume template from Etsy, to be incredibly helpful. This template allowed her to present herself in a polished and professional manner when applying for non-teaching positions.

Michelle advises others considering a career change to start small and gradually build their knowledge and experience. “I wouldn’t recommend starting your own business straight away,” she cautions. “There’s so much to learn out there, and so many people are willing to teach and share their knowledge. Try something new out at an already established business. Dip your toes in the water.”

The Impact of Career Change on Well-being

Since leaving teaching, Michelle has experienced significant improvements in her overall happiness and well-being. The initial grief she felt over leaving the classroom eventually gave way to a sense of fulfilment and contentment. “Once I overcame the initial grief—which was helped by realising I will always be an educator—I was the happiest I had ever been,” she says. Friends and family noticed the positive change in her demeanour, and Michelle felt like she could finally take a deep breath after years of stress and exhaustion.

One of Michelle’s most unexpected benefits from her career change is that it improved her mental health. No longer burdened by the demands and pressures of teaching, she feels more transparent about her role and impact on children’s and their families’ lives. This clarity has allowed her to develop a more vital work-life balance, dedicating time to her career and family. She schedules one day a week with her daughter, leaving her laptop at work and putting her phone away to ensure quality time together. “Certainly, my improved mental health. I’ve felt much clearer about my role and profession and the impact I am having. I have more time for my family and friends and feel more connected to them. I have also learnt an abundance about children and families and disability that I would have never had the chance to learn in the classroom. I have really cherished this and the time spent working with other allied health professionals.”

Long-Term Goals and Future Aspirations

Michelle’s long-term goal is to continue growing Embrace Education Services at a sustainable pace, eventually expanding to include other allied health professionals when the time is right. Completing her Master’s degree in Developmental Education and Leadership will be a significant milestone in her journey, providing her with the credentials and expertise to take her business to the next level.

While replacing her teacher income was not an immediate priority, Michelle has found that running her own business offers financial control and satisfaction that teaching did not. “My income is based on how hard I work—on the effort I put in. And that’s the way I like it,” she reflects.

Michelle’s teaching experience has been an excellent source of skills to draw on, “My journey as a teacher has been enriched by over 14 years of guiding students through the intricacies of education. Every learner is different, and my mission is to celebrate those differences, creating an environment where every individual, regardless of their neurodivergence, feels seen, heard, and valued.”

Advice for Aspiring Career Changers

Michelle offers this advice for teachers considering a career change but feeling uncertain or hesitant: “Jumping into something you enjoy is important. The change is going to be hard, but doing something you’re passionate about makes a difference.” She encourages others to take small steps, explore new opportunities, and seek out supportive networks that can help them along the way.

We are so grateful to Michelle for being featured in our blog. We asked her more profound questions about keyworkers and NDIS practitioners as our exit stage teach community is very interested in these areas. Here are her words of wisdom:

How did you get the role of Keyworker?

I applied through Seek, just like any other job outside of the department. Initially daunting, but the application process was more accessible than writing applications for teaching roles. I went to the interview (very nervous), and everything snowballed from there.

What is the pay like?

My first role as a Keyworker within a private company offered much lower pay than my teaching salary. However, the workload outside of hours was significantly lighter, and in the end, my mental health was more important to me than the money. Now that I work for myself, my income is directly related to my effort.

What’s a typical day in the life of a Keyworker?

The role of a Keyworker can vary greatly depending on the company, but a typical day might include:

School or preschool visits with children to work 1:1 on therapy goals
Writing session notes to track progress
Gathering or creating resources for clients
Home visits for 1:1 sessions and parent support
Liaising with allied health professionals (OT, SP, Physio, etc.) to discuss goals or strategies
Attending school meetings to support families in advocating for their child
Writing therapy plans and goals for children
Engaging in professional development to upskill

How did you become an NDIS provider and start your own business? Could you share the steps you took?

I started working for a private company and completed an online NDIS worker check training. When I decided to go out alone, I had to look into insurance, building a client base, tax matters, and everything else involved in running a business. I consulted with a tax accountant who specializes in small businesses, and they helped me get everything in order. There are also a lot of free resources online. It’s a lot of work initially, but the effort you put in initially will set you up for long-term success.

What is the pay like from client to client?

The pay varies depending on the type and length of service provided. The NDIS sets standard rates for different services, which means the amount I receive from one client might be different from another based on what support they need. For example, longer sessions might be at a higher rate, but the group sessions are at a lower rate because they are divided by the participants. It’s a bit like how a tradesperson charges based on the job they do, but the NDIS guides the pricing so it stays fair and consistent for families.

What does your day look like now?

My days are varied, which keeps things interesting. I still see clients as Keyworker, so my day includes 1:1 sessions, school meetings, writing and reviewing plans, and more. I also run group programs aimed at helping children transition to primary school, which I conduct like a mini classroom. Additionally, I perform screeners and assessments to understand children’s neurodiversity better. On top of that, I handle many business tasks such as bookkeeping, invoicing, marketing, advertising, and admin duties like calling clients, answering emails, and maintaining the clinic. And, when I can, I study.

Is work consistent?

Absolutely. There is a high demand for services and support for children and families.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve had to learn as a business owner instead of a teacher?

Accounting and marketing! Running your own business requires an entirely different mindset. Everything depends on your effort, so you need to have passion and drive to make it happen.

For more great stories of teacher career changes into Key workers and NDIS providers or to learn how you can move into a Keyworker role, check out our blog series:

How to Quit Teaching to Become a Keyworker

Transitioning from Teaching to Keyworker in Australia

Exciting Career Transition: Australian Teacher to Keyworker

To connect with Michelle and Embrace Education, head here:

Embrace Education Services is a support service for children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. Embrace provides 1:1 support to children and families, as well as group programs and comprehensive assessments and screeners.
http://www.embraceeducationservices.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554358057088
Instagram – @embraceedu