About

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in The Misfit Teacher!

My name is Kristin, I’m a former elementary school teacher, who now works as a full-time writer and coach. In addition to The Misfit Teacher, I also run a popular family travel blog called Tiny Footsteps Travel.

The Mission for The Misfit Teacher

I want to help other people find their calling, whether it’s teaching, or something else.

I spent years in a job that caused me immense stress and didn’t align with my passions and natural gifts or talents.

I have now achieved financial freedom in a job that comes naturally to me, and brings me joy.

Life is too short, and I want to help you achieve what you want for your life – whether it’s teaching, or a different calling!

If you want to be a teacher..

I have many resources to support to my fellow teachers who are out there putting the thought, effort and energy into educating our kids and raising the next generation – which is a cause I deeply hold dear.

If you want out of teaching, or want financial freedom in a different career..

There are also people in the position I used to be in; feeling stuck in a job that they don’t feel comes naturally to them and don’t want to picture themself in decades from now. I want to help those people too. Browse my self-made life resources to see ideas for side hustles, and routes to financial freedom.

My Teaching Experience

I worked as a teacher for almost 10 years; in that time, I taught kindergarten through Grade 8 (kids from ages 4 up to 14.)

Most of that time was spent working as a rotary French teacher, and a French Immersion planning time subject teacher in subjects such as science, gym, social studies and music.

I have been lucky to have my own classroom twice – once as a Grade 2 French immersion teacher, and another time as a Grade 4/5 split teacher.

In addition to that, I’ve also taught languages online, and done in-person tutoring for over 10 years.

While there were many rewarding moments in my career as a school teacher, I struggled with teacher burnout as the years went on, and to be honest – came to feel deep down that it was the right job for me.

I spent the last few years of my career dabbling in side hustles and alternative income sources, in hopes to find a job that could allow me more freedom and feel like it was a better use of what I was naturally good at.

My Life After Teaching

I decided to quit teaching in 2023, and jump into a writing career. I own two websites, including this one.

The Misfit Teacher is a resource for anyone who is looking for the right career, whether they are:

  • Considering becoming a schoolteacher, or improving their teaching
  • Interested in the many opportunities to work online (teaching related or not)
  • Feel stuck in life and want to re-vamp a life that is more fulfilling
  • Want to improve their mental health, achieve better work-life balance and avoid burnout
  • Looking to leave their school teaching job. (I spent years researching alternative careers for teachers, and ultimately was able to pick one – you can too.)

In addition, I have many helpful resources for school administrators who want to make a positive difference in the schools they run.

Why “the misfit teacher?”

“The Misfit Teacher” is meant to be a more endearing term, rather than taken too seriously.

I was fit for being a teacher in a number of ways, but as an introvert, a single mom (and probably someone who takes life a bit too seriously) I struggled to have the energy and mindset to deal with some of the challenges that came with my career.

I am much happier now that I’m working from home, and have energy for my kids, and time to care for myself. I love my new career and how naturally it comes to me. I want to help others achieve the same thing.

Here are some of the jobs I have dabbled in while still working full-time as a teacher:

While I love to help people, guide them and help them achieve goals, I have realized over time that I prefer to work on a solitary basis – this is why writing and blogging appeal to me the most!

I hope that some of The Misfit Teacher articles can be of use to you as you try to navigate your career journey, whether its in, or outside the classroom.