I have said this before, but I think it’s so important to share this reflection, especially at this time of year when so many teachers are applying for jobs or wondering whether they should be “climbing the ladder” next year.
Because for a long time, I genuinely believed that was what success in education looked like.
When I was doing my PME, I had a plan. A very clear one.
Teach for X amount of years. Move into leadership quickly. Become Head of Year or Subject Lead. Move into SLT. Maybe one day become a principal… maybe even Minister for Education.
In my head, success meant getting to the top.
I genuinely thought that once I got there, I would finally feel accomplished. Like I would feel proud and settled in myself as a practitioner.
And to be fair, I did achieve a lot of the things I had planned.
I got the promotions, every single time. I was good at leadership and, for the most part, I genuinely enjoyed it. I still do in many ways. I love supporting teams. I love building ideas. I love helping people feel motivated and inspired. There are parts of leadership that naturally suit me.
But the older I get, the more I realise that might not be the only version of success for me.
Well… that’s how I feel right now anyway. And maybe that will change again someday.
This also is not me criticising leadership at all. Schools need incredible leaders. There are people in those roles making huge positive change for children, staff and education as a whole. Some people are genuinely fulfilled there and thrive in those positions.
But I also think education is changing rapidly. The expectations from every side are mounting and, over the past 7 years, it has made me really question what I’m actually working towards.
Because somewhere along the way, I started noticing something.
Some of the people in the “highest” positions weren’t necessarily the happiest.
Some were burnt out. Some were constantly overwhelmed. Some seemed disconnected from themselves entirely. And I remember thinking… is this what we are all aiming for? Is the goal simply to keep climbing, no matter the cost?
I still care deeply and have huge ambition. But my definition of success in education has changed a lot, and I think it’s okay if yours changes too.
Now, I think success is having a life that feels good to wake up to.
Having time.
Having peace.
Building things that feel genuinely meaningful to me.
Feeling creative again.
Being able to switch off.
Having relationships and experiences outside of work.
For so long, I thought success had to look impressive from the outside.
Maybe that comes from family pressures, societal expectations, or just the way teaching careers are often spoken about. People assume there’s one straight road in education and that if you’re not following that exact path, you’re not reaching your full potential.
I just don’t believe that anymore.
Over the past 8.5 years, I’ve built a platform online helping teachers and others in different ways every single day. I’ve worked on the Dove Self-Esteem Project in Ireland alongside hugely inspiring people. I’ve created Department of Education approved summer courses, spoken on podcasts, written blogs, and now launched my own business from a genuine place of wanting to solve a problem within education that I experienced for years myself.
None of those things required a “higher” title.
There are so many ways to make a positive impact in education that don’t involve constantly moving “higher”.
And equally, there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to climb the ladder either. Sometimes you need to climb it to see if you even like the view… and that’s exactly what I did. I’m genuinely glad I did it.
But my point is this:
Don’t feel like you are failing in ambition or passion just because climbing the ladder doesn’t interest you right now.
There is room for all of us in education.
The teacher who wants to become a principal.
The teacher who wants to stay in the classroom forever.
The teacher who wants to create, write, lead projects, mentor others, build communities, start businesses, advocate, innovate, or simply teach children well and go home to a life they love.
Your impact is not determined solely by your title.
And maybe success is less about what looks impressive on paper… and more about whether your life actually feels good on the inside.
So if your definition of success is changing, let it.
You are allowed to want a different version of life than the one you imagined at 21.
