In this inspiring episode of the Teachers Transition Podcast, host Alex Kirton sits down with Erin Mote, CEO of Innovate EDU, to explore her incredible journey through education, technology, and leadership. Erin shares her story, from starting her career in higher education at Arizona State University, to working over a decade in national security and technology, to ultimately co-founding Brooklyn Lab Charter Schools and Innovate EDU.

Erin reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her career, emphasizing that life and careers are rarely linear. She talks about the importance of understanding your “currency”—what drives and motivates you personally—and why impact, not just financial gain or status, guided her decisions. She shares candid insights about embracing failure, taking risks, and the power of vulnerability in leadership.

Listeners will learn Erin’s strategies for navigating major career transitions, including the importance of mentorship, building strong professional networks, and advocating for oneself. She highlights how educators possess transferable skills highly valued outside the classroom and provides practical advice for teachers looking to transition into other sectors, emphasizing networking, resume framing, and preparing references effectively.

Erin also discusses her approach to scaling educational impact: instead of expanding Brooklyn Lab to dozens of schools, she focused on scaling innovative practices through Innovate EDU, fostering alliances, mentorships, and programs that influence schools nationwide. She underscores the importance of representation and supporting women in tech and education, sharing initiatives like fellowships, emerging leaders programs, and communities of practice.

This episode is packed with actionable advice, inspiration, and encouragement for educators, leaders, and anyone navigating career transitions. Erin’s story is a testament to following your passion, leveraging your skills, and creating meaningful impact—while remembering to take risks, embrace failure, and reach out to others for guidance along the way.

Key Takeaways:

• Life and careers are rarely linear; embrace pivots and failures as opportunities to learn.

• Understand your “currency”—what truly motivates you—and align your career decisions with it.

• Build strong networks and seek mentors for guidance, support, and advocacy.

• Educators possess highly transferable skills; learn to translate them for other sectors.

• Scaling impact doesn’t always mean expanding physically—focus on spreading effective practices.

• Leadership requires vulnerability, authenticity, and creating pathways for the next generation.