Looking for someone to communicate a message? Hire a teacher. Thank me later.

Teachers can manage the chaos of everyday.

Before we begin, a confession: this article might be a bit self-serving as I struggle with the realities of transitioning from where I am to where I want to be. The fact is, with nearly two decades of experience in the classroom, I am aware that it can be difficult for hiring managers to see beyond classroom experience and allow a teacher to rebrand herself into something else.

So, I’d like to help them see through the fog, if you will, and understand that teaching is really like doing the work of eight people at once. One of those jobs is that of a communications manager. Let me cook…

Communication Skills:

• Imagine standing in front of a room full of teenagers who would rather be anywhere else but your class. If you can make them understand the intricacies of quadratic equations, you can pretty much explain anything to anyone. Teachers have this magical ability to turn complex jargon into a language even your grandma can comprehend. Yeah, it’s like wizardry, but with whiteboards. And crafting a message to a specific audience? We are pros.

Adaptability:

• You know what’s a rollercoaster of unpredictability? A classroom full of kids. Every day is a new adventure, and teachers become the masters of adapting on the fly. Forget lesson plans — sometimes it’s all about surviving the surprise pop quiz or a random fire drill. If that’s not flexibility, I don’t know what is.

Empathy and Relationship Drama:

• Teachers practically major in empathy. They can sense when a student had a bad day just by the look on their face. It’s like being a detective, but instead of solving crimes, you’re figuring out who needs a little extra encouragement. And don’t get me started on the soap opera that is parent-teacher conferences. If teachers can navigate those emotional rollercoasters, handling stakeholders in a corporate setting is a walk in the park.

Organization:

• Ever tried managing 30 different personalities, assignments, and a sudden fire drill? Teachers do it every day without breaking a sweat (or going to the bathroom). Lesson plans, attendance, grading — these are the real multitasking Olympics. So, handling various channels and deadlines in a communication role? Please, that’s just a Tuesday for a teacher.

Problem-Solving:

• Remember that time the school copier decided to go on strike right before finals? Teachers are the MacGyvers of problem-solving. A paper jam? A minor inconvenience. A misbehaving student during a lesson? Just another day at the office. If you can handle these daily conundrums, tackling communication hiccups in the corporate world is like a vacation.

Multitasking Mastery:

• Teachers have a black belt in multitasking. It’s like spinning plates while juggling flaming torches, but with a touch of grace. From dealing with disruptive students to answering emails during lunch breaks, teachers can handle it all. Managing various projects in a communication role? Piece of cake.

Public Speaking Prowess:

• Ever tried explaining the intricacies of Shakespeare to a bunch of high schoolers who just discovered the joys of Snapchat? Teachers have. If you can keep a room full of teenagers engaged, presenting to stakeholders is a breeze. It’s like TED Talks, but with a touch of teenage eye-rolling.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for someone to wrangle chaos, spin plates, and make complex stuff sound like a Disney movie, hire a teacher. They’ve been doing it for years, and they’ll bring a sarcastic sense of humor to the corporate world that might just make meetings a tad more bearable. You’re welcome.