Hi, Vanessa, 

I am taking a moment to appreciate the mildest August I can remember in Texas I feel like we’ve collectively dodged a giant heat-ball  (yes, we’re sticking with the ALL the dodgeball metaphors this week). No long stretches of triple-digit scorchers, no baking cookies on the dashboard (although that does smell nice…), no instant regret when stepping outside. It’s like the weather got the memo that we’re already carrying enough.

And it’s got me thinking… maybe you’ve dodged something bigger this summer too. Maybe you finally took that break you’ve been craving. Or maybe you’re realizing it’s time to dodge burnout altogether.

 

Emotional Dodgeball:
When Burnout Feels Like Getting Hit in the Face

There’s a moment in the movie Dodgeball where Justin Long’s character hears the cheerleader he’s crushing on shout “I love you!” He lights up, shouts back “I love you t—” and BAM. Dodgeball to the face.

That’s what emotional whiplash feels like. One second you’re hopeful, finally catching your breath—and then a new initiative, a careless comment, or a surprise observation knocks you flat.

Teachers live in this cycle every day. It’s not just exhausting—it’s disorienting.

In this week’s podcast, I break down how Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story is secretly a masterclass in career clarity and resilience.  Is it chaotic and crass?  Yes, but it’s also packed with truth. Truth about what we absorb, what we carry, and what we’re allowed to release.

In dodgeball, they drill the "5 Ds": Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive, and Dodge.

Let’s adjust that so that it works for in the world of education:

  • Dodge burnout.
  • Duck those old beliefs that say you’re “just a teacher.”
  • Dip into your untapped strengths and passions.
  • Dive into clarity through action.
  • And yes—Dodge the pressure to stay stuck just because it’s familiar.

The 5 Ds aren’t a joke, they can be a survival strategy. You dodge angry parent emails, duck impossible curriculum mandates, dip budget cuts, dive from spontaneous admin walkthroughs, and dodge an angry society on social media that blames teachers to everything*.  You have more skills than you know. 

Check out the full podcast here

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS 

DECIDE: The Workshop That Helps You Know What’s Next

If you’ve been whispering “maybe just one more year,” this workshop is for you.

DECIDE is a 90-minute live workshop where we break down whether staying, shifting, or leaving makes the most sense for your life, not just your paycheck. No guilt, no pressure—just clarity.

🗓️ Choose from two upcoming dates:
📍 September 1 or September 27
🔗 Reserve your spot now

This is the workshop I wish I had when I was trapped in the cycle of overthinking. You don’t need to commit to quitting. You just need to come to a point of discernment.  I invite you to join me.  

Quick Reminder:

If this newsletter hits home, hit reply and let me know. I read every message. And if someone you love is dodging burnout alone, forward this along. .  

Until next time—keep dodging nonsense, but don’t dodge your future. 😉

Warmly,
Vanessa

 

 

CONNECT WITH ME:
I am ALL over the socials these days.  Find me in your favorite spot.

📧 Vanessa@teachersintransition.com
📞 512-640-9099 (text or voicemail)
🌐 TeachersinTransition.com
📷 Instagram + Threads + TikTok: @teachers.in.transition
📘 Facebook: Teachers in Transition
🔗 LinkedIn: Vanessa Jackson
✳️ Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social
🧵 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy