Best PSharon Cawley Podcasts (2025)

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087 - Danielle Crossland - Classroom to Bookkeeper 1:06:53

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12h ago1:06:53

1:06:53

In this episode, Sharon and Sarah are joined by Danielle Crossland, a former secondary maths teacher whose story offers a refreshingly different perspective on leaving the classroom. Danielle taught for ten years after starting her career in 2012, working in both high schools and sixth-form colleges. Teaching was something she was good at, somethin…

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086 - David Fountain - Classroom To Consultant 46:24

11h ago46:24

46:24

Today, Sharon and Sarah sit down with someone many of you already know from the Life After Teaching community - David Fountain, the teacher-turned-educator who has made understanding the Teachers’ Pension Scheme his personal mission. After 27 years in the classroom, teaching maths, science, IT and computer science, David reached a crossroads. Carin…

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085 - Elaine Mackechnie - Classroom to Maths Tutor & Course Creator 58:24

7d ago58:24

58:24

This week, Sharon and Sarah sit down with the brilliant Elaine Mackechnie, known to many as Maths with Mrs Mack - a tutor whose journey out of the classroom has inspired hundreds of teachers to rethink what’s possible. After 26 years in education, spanning roles from Joint Head of MFL to Head of Year, Head of Key Stage and eventually 2nd in Maths, …

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083 - Re-Release - David Myers - From Creative Teacher to Breaking Point, Pt 1 1:06:57

13d ago1:06:57

1:06:57

In this powerful two-part replay, Sharon and Sarah revisit one of the Pit Pony Podcast’s most talked-about episodes - the story of David Myers, a maths teacher whose experience captures both the brilliance and the brutality of modern teaching. Part 1 traces David’s journey from a creative, psychology-driven teacher who thrived in supportive, vision…

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084 - Re-Release - David Myers - Part 2 55:37

17d ago55:37

55:37

Part 2 of this re-released conversation follows David through the most painful stretch of his journey - and into the life-changing transition that brought him back to himself. In this episode, Sharon and Sarah explore: The collapse of trust in leadership and the moment he was accused of lying How long-COVID, brain fog and exhaustion collided with a…

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082 - Behind the Scenes - Inside the Life After Teaching Facebook Group 46:38

26d ago46:38

46:38

This week, Sharon and Sarah lift the curtain on the community that started it all — Life After Teaching: Exit the Classroom and Thrive, the Facebook group now home to more than 177,000 members. They share what really goes on behind the scenes: how posts are moderated, why certain rules exist, and what it takes to keep such a vast and vulnerable spa…

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081 - Silenced by Support - The Campaign Update 52:33

1M ago52:33

52:33

In this powerful update episode, Sarah is joined by campaign co-founder Nick Smart to share the latest progress on Silenced by Support - the national campaign fighting against the misuse of support plans in UK schools. Together, they reflect on how it all began, what’s been achieved so far, and the next steps in taking the movement from the Faceboo…

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080 - Resignation - The Fear, the Finances, and the Freedom 47:16

1M ago47:16

47:16

In this special episode, Sharon and Sarah hold space for one of the biggest topics in education - the mystery, the pressure and the fear around teacher resignation dates. Why do teachers only get three windows a year to resign? What happens if you miss the May 31st deadline? And why does this system leave so many feeling trapped, anxious and powerl…

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079 - Suspension - Navigating the Hardest Days in Education 1:02:04

2M ago1:02:04

1:02:04

In this powerful new episode, Sharon and Sarah tackle one of the most difficult experiences any teacher can face: suspension from school. They unpack what really happens when you’re suspended, why it is supposed to be a neutral act, and the reality of how it is often handled in schools. With honesty and compassion, they talk through the emotional t…

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078 - Sarah Grocutt - Classroom to Freelance Email Marketing Strategist 1:09:21

2M ago1:09:21

1:09:21

After twelve years teaching in specialist and alternative education, Sarah Grocutt reached breaking point. What began as a career full of creativity, compassion, and purpose turned into exhaustion, fear, and guilt as she tried to balance motherhood with an unforgiving system. In this candid conversation, Sarah opens up about her powerful decision t…

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077 - Lisa Mead - Classroom to Online Tutor 1:11:57

2M ago1:11:57

1:11:57

After twenty years in primary education, Lisa Mead found herself completely burnt out. The workload, the pressure, the impossible expectations - it all came to a head one morning when she simply couldn’t face going back into the classroom. In this powerful and relatable episode, Lisa opens up about: • Balancing motherhood with teaching and the guil…

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076 - Paula Smith - Classroom to Transformational Coach and Trainer 1:22:39

2M ago1:22:39

1:22:39

After three decades in education, rising to the ranks of headteacher and executive head, Paula Smith found herself at breaking point. In this deeply moving and powerful conversation, Paula opens up about her career, the moment that changed everything on the M25, and how she rebuilt her life from burnout to transformation. Now a Transformational Coa…

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074 - Clare Gregg - Classroom to Entrepreneur and Advocate 1:04:24

3M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Clare Gregg, whose journey into teaching was anything but ordinary. Statistically, Clare should never have made it into the classroom. As a child, she was a school refuser, on the child protection register, and at 18 found herself homeless and pregnant. Yet against all odds, she fought her way into educati…

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073 - Nick Smart - Breaking the Silence on Settlement Agreements in Education 1:16:08

3M ago1:16:08

1:16:08

Nick Smart: Silenced by Support and the Fight for Change Welcome to Season 2 of The Pit Pony Podcast. We begin with an episode that steps beyond individual exit stories and into the heart of a growing campaign. Our guest is Nick Smart, a primary teacher who entered the profession at 42 and is now, at 58, exiting the classroom. But Nick’s story is n…

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072 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Amy Meade 1:12:14

3M ago1:12:14

1:12:14

In our FINAL Summer Re-Issue episode, we revisit the story of Amy Meade, who spent 14 years in education, moving from secondary English to primary leadership and eventually deputy and acting headship. Amy loved teaching and wasn’t working in a toxic school, but even after a successful Ofsted she realised the treadmill never stopped. Delaying medica…

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071 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Gareth Isaac 1:05:44

3M ago1:05:44

1:05:44

In this deeply reflective reissue, we revisit the story of Gareth Isaac, who entered teaching through the Teach First route in 2014. Within just a few years he was experiencing disassociation, exhaustion and a sense of living outside his own body. Gareth opens up about how perfectionism and people-pleasing pushed him to burnout, the eerie experienc…

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070 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Katie Stone 1:07:30

4M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

In this powerful reissue from our archive, we revisit the story of Katie Stone, a teacher who resisted the profession for years before finally entering via the TA route and discovering a love for the classroom. From her PGCE at Manchester Met to seven years in teaching, Katie describes how the joy of working with children was eroded by pressure, ex…

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069 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Paul Lennon 1:27:08

4M ago1:27:08

1:27:08

In this powerful Summer Re-Issue, we revisit the story of Paul Lennon, a teacher whose career spanned 28 years and took him across the globe. From Japan, Italy, Malawi, Moscow and Senegal to his final role in Warsaw, Paul built a life around travel, education and family. But after decades of success and fulfilment, his last school brought him face …

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068 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Sarah Cowen 1:11:45

4M ago1:11:45

1:11:45

In this powerful reissue from our archive, we revisit the story of Sarah Cowen, a teacher whose journey through education reveals the toll of relentless pressure, systemic failures and the struggle to protect her own wellbeing. Sarah speaks openly about her early passion for teaching, the moments of joy with her students, and the devastating impact…

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067 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Grant Decker 1:11:06

4M ago1:11:06

1:11:06

In this powerful reissue from our archive, we revisit the story of Grant Decker, an educator whose career took him from the classroom to unexpected new horizons. Grant speaks candidly about his early years in teaching, the highs of inspiring students, and the increasing pressures that began to chip away at his health and sense of purpose. He shares…

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066 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - Hannah Jones 1:19:56

5M ago1:19:56

1:19:56

In this powerful reissue from our archive, we revisit the story of Hannah Jones, a history teacher who walked away from education after enduring one of the most dehumanising experiences we have ever heard. From her early passion for teaching to a brutal relocation that left her physically unwell, mentally exhausted and teaching in a condemned class…

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065 - Pit Pony Revisited: The Summer Series - James Terry 1:06:09

5M ago1:06:09

1:06:09

As part of our Summer 2025 Rewind Series, we are revisiting one of the most heartfelt and compelling conversations we have ever shared. In this reissue, we are joined by James Terry, a former RE teacher who knew from a young age that teaching was his calling. After six joyful years in the classroom, James took a promotion and relocated to a new sch…

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064 - Pit Pony Kat Philippou-Curtis Part 2 - With Special Guest Cathy Tyson 58:39

5M ago58:39

58:39

Kat’s Story, Part 2: Swallow - A Film That Could Change Everything In this gripping second half of our conversation with Kat Philippou-Curtis, we’re joined by the legendary Cathy Tyson, who brings Kat’s story to life in the upcoming film Swallow. Together, we explore how a teacher who refused to be gagged transformed personal trauma into a powerful…

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063 - Pit Pony Kat Philippou-Curtis - Classroom To Film Maker Part 1 40:31

5M ago40:31

40:31

In this gripping and harrowing episode, we sit down with Kat Philippou-Curtis, a drama specialist, film writer and filmmaker, as she shares the shocking truth behind her exit from further education. Kat was a passionate and dedicated lecturer, loved by many of her students and deeply committed to unlocking creativity through the arts. But what star…

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062 - Pit Pony Jay Dehaan - Classroom to Curriculum Innovation Manager - Part 2 53:13

6M ago53:13

53:13

In Part 2 of Jay Dehaan’s story, we hear what happened after he made it into the classroom. Jay shares the emotional toll of leadership, the grief of losing a loved one, and the quiet realisation that the system he fought to be part of no longer fit the life he wanted. From pushing for curriculum change to missing out on time with his own children,…

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061 - Pit Pony Jay Dehaan - Classroom to Curriculum Innovation Manager - Part 1 54:16

6M ago54:16

54:16

Jay Dehaan didn’t grow up wanting to be a teacher. In fact, he hated school. He left education with no qualifications, spent five years in a wheelchair as a child due to Perthes disease, and was told by Citizens Advice that his family would be better off if he signed on. But somehow, against the odds, Jay found his way into the classroom. In this e…

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060 - Gareth Dale - Classroom to Childrens Author / Private Tutor Part 2 49:48

6M ago49:48

49:48

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Gareth Dale continues his story - from barely holding it together in the classroom to discovering his voice as a children’s author and private tutor. We talk about what happens after the funeral, the long shadow of trauma, and how Mr Dale - the teacher persona - became both a mask and a means of survival. Ga…

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059 - Gareth Dale - Classroom to Childrens Author / Private Tutor Part 1 58:58

6M ago58:58

58:58

In this deeply personal episode, we sit down with Gareth Dale - a teacher from 2005 to 2023 - to explore a story of love, loss, and the emotional toll of showing up in school when life is falling apart behind the scenes. Gareth takes us through his early teaching journey, the formative years in tough inner-city schools, and the moment his life chan…

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058 - Pit Pony Giselle Wild - Classroom to Safeguarding Young Lives 1:13:45

7M ago1:13:45

1:13:45

After 17 years in the classroom, Giselle Wild left teaching at Christmas 2024. In this episode, she reflects on a career built on creativity, care and connection - and the unraveling that began after the traumatic birth of her son. From art rooms to leadership roles, Giselle gave everything to her students. But delayed PTSD, sleepless years, and a …

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056 - Pit Pony Emma Harper - Classroom to CEO / Marketing Mentor - Part 1 42:40

7M ago42:40

42:40

Emma Harper Part 1: From Promise to Breaking Point Emma Harper was a dedicated secondary maths teacher from 2011 to 2023. In this episode, she shares the first half of her powerful story, covering three very different schools, early career promise, and a series of personal and professional challenges that pushed her to the edge. We talk about inter…

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057 - Pit Pony Emma Harper - Classroom to CEO / Marketing Mentor - Part 2 46:16

7M ago46:16

46:16

Emma Harper Part 2: Finding Freedom After the Fall In the second half of Emma Harper’s story, we follow her journey out of the classroom for good. After a final crisis point left her broken and exhausted, Emma made the decision to leave teaching in December 2023. What followed was not just survival, but transformation. Emma shares how tutoring beca…

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054 - Pit Pony Jeanette Thompson-Wessen - Classroom to ADHD Nutritionist - Part 1 45:44

7M ago45:44

45:44

In this powerful first part of our conversation with Jeannette Thompson-Wessen, we hear how a passionate, dedicated food technology teacher went from being earmarked for leadership to being bullied, ignored and broken. After returning from maternity leave, the praise disappeared, the support vanished, and the treatment became so toxic it pushed her…

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055 - Pit Pony Jeanette Thompson-Wessen - Classroom to ADHD Nutritionist - Part 2 59:17

7M ago59:17

59:17

In Part 2 of our conversation with Jeannette Thompson-Wessen, the story turns even darker. After being shouted at while pregnant, ignored during risk assessments, and breaking down in front of students, Jeannette was left utterly broken. She describes a period of severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and the moment a school chose to send a parental…

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052 - Pit Pony David Myers - Classroom to Student Support Officer at Durham University - Part 1 1:08:10

7M ago1:08:10

1:08:10

Former maths teacher David Myers joins us for a gripping two-part conversation about his journey in and out of the classroom - and everything in between. In this first episode, we follow David from the early days of creative teaching and academic passion, through a toxic shift in school culture, the loss of professional autonomy, and the impact of …

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053 - Pit Pony David Myers - Classroom to Student Support Officer at Durham University - Part 2 56:01

7M ago56:01

56:01

In Part 2 of our conversation with David Myers, we pick up at the point he finally walks away from teaching - and follow what happens next. From exploring tutoring, supply work and student support roles, to landing a new job at Durham University (in the castle, no less), David reflects on rebuilding his confidence, recovering from burnout, and redi…

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051 - Sliding Doors Stories - Part 8 7:54

7M ago7:54

7:54

In todays bonus episode of The Pit Pony Podcast, we bring you another trio of powerful Sliding Doors moments – those life-defining experiences shared by our guests since leaving the classroom. 🎙️ Rachael Daniel reflects on an event, that reminded her not all schools are toxic, and some can still feel like home. 🎙️ Kitty White shares how the simple …

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050 - What do I do if I think I'm being bullied 50:40

7M ago50:40

50:40

In this vital episode of The Pit Pony Podcast, Sharon and Sarah discuss one of the most common - and distressing - questions that surfaces in the Life After Teaching community: What do I do if I think I’m being bullied? Drawing on hundreds of real teacher experiences, they unpack the early warning signs, the subtle shifts in communication and behav…

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049 - Sliding Doors Stories - Part 7 9:52

8M ago9:52

9:52

In this special Sliding Doors bonus episode, we bring you three more powerful and deeply personal reflections from teachers who’ve exited the classroom and discovered unexpected joy, freedom, and purpose on the other side. 🎙 Hollie Jones shares the life-saving impact of leaving teaching - how being able to drop everything for her son’s emergency su…

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048 - Know Your Rights 49:36

8M ago49:36

49:36

This week’s Pit Pony Podcast is a bit different - it’s just Sharon and Sarah, no guest, but lots of honesty, insight and real talk. We’re kicking off a three-part mini-series by tackling one of the biggest foundations of protecting yourself at work: knowing your rights. From understanding the Burgundy Book and STPCD (NB Sarah had a little moment an…

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047 - Sliding Doors Stories - Part 6 9:52

8M ago9:52

9:52

In this sixth edition of our beloved Sliding Doors Stories, we bring you three powerful moments from guests who, after leaving the classroom, found clarity, connection and joy in unexpected places. ✨ Katie Stone shares how her relationship with her daughter transformed – and how a trip to New Zealand gave her children a once-in-a-lifetime experienc…

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046 - Sliding Doors - Sharon’s Story 33:44

8M ago33:44

33:44

In this special episode of The Pit Pony Podcast, we’re turning the spotlight inward. For the first time, co-host Sharon Cawley shares her own powerful and deeply personal sliding doors story. More than just about leaving teaching, it’s about the moment Sharon reclaimed control of her life and showed what’s possible when we choose presence over pres…

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045 - Pit Pony Ilana King - Classroom to Educational Consultant 1:09:40

8M ago1:09:40

1:09:40

In this episode, we’re joined by the unstoppable Ilana King - educational consultant, entrance exam specialist, home educator, and all-round powerhouse. Ilana’s journey is far from typical. After just two years in the classroom, she knew it wasn’t the right fit - and rather than settle, she built something new. Literally. She created her own nurser…

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044 - Pit Pony Pete Scholes - Classroom to Driving Instructor & Author 43:57

8M ago43:57

43:57

This week, we’re joined by the brilliant and unassuming Peter Scholes – a man who gave 21 years to the classroom before stepping away when shifting leadership turned a once-thriving school culture into something unrecognisable. In this heartfelt episode, Pete shares how the sudden departure of a beloved headteacher triggered a school-wide unravelin…

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042 - Pit Pony Rob Newlands - Classroom to Financial Planner - Part 1 51:54

9M ago51:54

51:54

In the first of this two-part special, we meet Rob Newlands, a former headteacher who climbed the leadership ladder quickly - only to face a stark and painful reality at the top. At just 30 years old, Rob stepped into a headship in Cornwall, full of energy, purpose, and a belief that he could make a difference. But what awaited him was far from the…

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043 - Pit Pony Rob Newlands - Classroom to Financial Planner - Part 2 1:29:35

9M ago1:29:35

1:29:35

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Rob Newlands takes us through the devastating fallout of his time in headship - and the turning point that changed everything. After months of isolation, impossible expectations, and systemic failure, Rob faced a brutal mocksted that delivered the final blow. What followed was a silent breakdown behind close…

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041 - Pit Pony Kitty White - Classroom to Holiday Cottages Business Manager 55:49

9M ago55:49

55:49

Loving the Pit Pony Podcast? Buy Us a Coffee ☕️ Kitty White never imagined she’d leave teaching - she was in it for life. But after years of battling anxiety, disillusionment, and a crushing sense of being lost, she made a brave leap out of the classroom and into something completely different. In this powerful episode, Kitty reflects on the emotio…

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040 - Pit Pony Rachael Daniel - Classroom to Development Officer 1:10:51

9M ago1:10:51

1:10:51

What happens when a dedicated teacher realises that the career she once loved is no longer the right fit? In this episode, we sit down with Rachael Daniel, who made the bold decision to step away from teaching and carve out a new path. Rachael takes us through the highs and lows of her transition - from the moment she knew she had to leave, to the …

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039 - Pit Pony Grant Decker - Classroom to Record Store Owner 1:10:40

9M ago1:10:40

1:10:40

This week on The Pit Pony Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Grant Decker – a former teacher whose love for music led him to open his own record shop. After years in the classroom, supporting students with complex needs, Grant realised it was time for a change. In this episode, he shares his inspiring journey from education to entrepreneurshi…

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038 - Pit Pony Paul Lennon - Classroom to NHS Health Adviser 1:25:29

10M ago1:25:29

1:25:29

In this episode of the Pit Pony Podcast, we sit down with Paul Lennon, a former teacher with 28 years of experience in secondary schools across the UK and around the world. Paul started his career as a PE teacher, eventually working his way up to head of department, assistant principal, and IB Diploma Coordinator. But his journey took an unexpected…

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036 - Pit Pony Hollie Jones - Classroom to Neurodivergent Educator - Part 1 1:03:33

10M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

In this powerful two-part episode, we sit down with Hollie Jones, a former teacher turned neurodiversity practitioner, whose journey out of the classroom is one of resilience, advocacy, and hard-won justice. Hollie always believed teaching was her lifelong career - until she faced systemic barriers, discrimination, and a lack of understanding about…