When Maya Hendricks left teaching during the pandemic, she wasn’t just walking away from a classroom, she was stepping into the unknown. Like so many educators, she had poured her heart into her students, but the combination of remote learning, new motherhood, and constant uncertainty had taken its toll. With an infant at home, Maya realized she couldn’t continue to give her best to both her family and her students. It was time for a change, even if she wasn’t yet sure what that looked like.
Margot was the manager who made the hiring decision that brought me into my first role at a non-profit when I left teaching. From there, she continued to mentor me as I developed my skills and eventually leveled up to my next job as an instructional designer.
Maya’s Pivot
When Maya came across the opportunity for a content design role at a non-profit focused on whole child wellness, something sparked. She knew she had transferable skills — communication, creativity, empathy, and curriculum design — but like many teachers, she needed to translate them into the language of the broader job market.
What made Maya stand out was her ability to connect her classroom experience to a sample work product that showed off her design talent. Instead of simply listing responsibilities, she demonstrated what she was capable of with a portfolio that showed she understood the needs of the non-profit.
When I interviewed her, her talent, adaptability, and sense of purpose came through immediately. She didn’t see herself as “just a teacher,” she saw herself as a creative content producer who understood how to engage students. That mindset made her an easy “yes.”
Staying in Flow
Once she joined the non-profit where I was serving at the VP of Programs, Maya continued to grow, quickly becoming a trusted member of the team and a creative problem solver. Over time, I had the privilege of mentoring her as she explored her next chapter. When she felt ready for another evolution, she set her sights on instructional design — a role that would let her merge her teaching experience and content design skills with her growing interest in digital learning.
Today, Maya works as an instructional designer, crafting learning experiences that reach far beyond a single classroom. Her story is a powerful reminder that teaching doesn’t end when you leave education, it evolves.
Maya’s journey shows what’s possible when you trust your instincts, tell your story authentically, and allow yourself to grow into new spaces, one intentional pivot at a time.
Start Your Pivot
Ready to take one small step forward? Book your free 30-minute Catalyst Conversation with me to kickstart your own pivot into flow.