From Classroom Teacher to Curriculum Developer: Success Stories to Inspire Your Own
Ever considered a career in curriculum development? Going from teacher to curriculum developer may seem like a big change, but it’s actually a great option for educators who want to try a different career path.
If you’re a teacher who loves creating engaging student learning experiences, you’ll likely find curriculum development to be a rewarding, flexible career option beyond the classroom.
As a curriculum developer, you can create engaging lessons, comprehensive units, worksheets, games, activities, assessments– the list goes on! You can develop a specific curriculum development niche or create curriculum for a variety of subjects.
Whether you want to take on curriculum development jobs with EdTech companies, collaborate with nonprofits on curriculum design, create assessments, or develop leveled readers, there are countless opportunities!
Check out these stories of educators just like you who went from teacher to curriculum developer. Use their stories as a guiding light for your own career.
4 Teacher to Curriculum Developer Success Stories to Inspire Your Own
1. Mandy Flocchini
Mandy’s story: After working as a middle school science and STEM teacher for nearly 9 years, Mandy wanted a change that would allow her to carve out a better work-life balance for her family. She decided to venture into curriculum and assessment writing.
The path from teacher to curriculum developer allowed Mandy to use her love for science in new and exciting ways. Collaborating with major publishing companies and curriculum agencies, Mandy has gained invaluable experience and expertise along the way.
She currently works for three different companies in curriculum development, including the Educator Forever Agency. She most recently started working part-time on a digital curriculum project as a Science Content Writer, which she says is the perfect blend between curriculum writing, assessment writing, and classroom lesson crafting.
What she loves most about it: Mandy’s work in curriculum development brings her joy, validates her skills, and provides a refreshing creative outlet for her. She loves the flexibility and freedom curriculum development offers that classroom teaching didn’t. Her career shift gives her more time to spend with her children and a more balanced lifestyle overall.
Mandy’s advice for those who aspire to become a curriculum developer: Explore different avenues and dabble in projects while still in the classroom. This will allow you to gain clarity on what you enjoy (and don’t enjoy). Try joining contractor pools and actively seeking opportunities. Contractor pools are a way for companies to have freelancers on hand to take on curriculum projects that come their way, without having to find candidates and go through an interview process each time.
Want to hear more? Check out Educator Forever Podcast Episode 26: Writing Curriculum & Assessments with Mandy Flocchini
2. Rozanne Rosenberg
Rozanne’s story: Rozanne worked in the publishing industry for five years and then as an elementary educator for a decade. Feeling burned out and looking to leave the classroom but still stay in the education industry, Rozanne found Educator Forever and began exploring other options.
After going from teacher to curriculum developer, she now works as an Assistant Director of Communications for an independent school in New York and as a freelance curriculum developer, writer, editor, and content creator. She has written, designed, and edited curriculum and assessments across grade levels for larger curriculum companies, TPT sellers (including her own TPT store, Knowsy Rosy Resources), WeAreTeachers, and the Educator Forever Agency.
What she loves most about it: Rozanne’s heart is in curriculum development (it’s what she loved most about being a teacher!). She enjoys creating engaging and exciting lessons for students, and she’s particularly passionate about social justice education and interdisciplinary curriculum (it’s the type of curriculum that she loves designing most).
Rozanne’s advice for those who aspire to become a curriculum developer: Do it! It can be challenging at first, but once you find the right rhythm, it's so worth it. And, as an educator, you have so many skills! There's so much need and demand for teachers in curriculum development.
Don’t be afraid to apply to anything that looks interesting to you—even if you feel like you aren't entirely qualified. Don't reject yourself. Also, leverage your network (within and beyond the education world)—you’ll be surprised how often you can get work just by reaching out to someone you know.
Want to hear more? Check out the Educator Forever Podcast Episode 10: Working Beyond the Classroom with Rozanne Rosenberg
3. Jasmine Gibson
Jasmine’s story: Jasmine started her career in outdoor education and then transitioned into a kindergarten and first-grade teacher. While still in the classroom, she took on freelance curriculum development work for a few EdTech companies and an afterschool program.
When her first child was born, she decided to dive more into curriculum development, and she liked it so much that she decided not to return to the classroom. She now runs her own business, is the Editorial Project Manager for the Educator Forever Agency, and is a curriculum coach for Educator Forever's Curriculum Development Foundations Program.
What she loves most about it: Jasmine loves how creative she gets to be in curriculum development, supporting teachers and parents, and the flexibility that comes with this career path!
Jasmine’s advice for those who aspire to become a curriculum developer: Say “yes” and try out different things in the beginning so you can find out what you like doing and what you’re good at doing. Having a growth mindset and being open to constructive feedback is important.
Leverage your network – Create a LinkedIn account and connect with everybody you know in the education world. Talk to people and tell them that you're open to work and you're curious about different kinds of projects. Above all, don't be afraid to try and be open to new things.
Want to hear more? Check out the Educator Forever Podcast Episode 32: Building a Career in Curriculum Development with Jasmine Gibson
4. Samantha Baldwin
Samantha’s Story: Samantha began her career in education teaching in both private and public elementary schools. In 2020, she began Joy of the Teach as a TpT store to create materials teachers could use for virtual instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even as schools regained a sense of normalcy, closing the gap created in children’s education by the pandemic became a priority. During this time, Samantha also began offering private tutoring sessions, providing remediation to students experiencing deficits in English and math. With many students achieving success through her services offered, she decided to expand Joy of the Teach Tutoring Services & Curriculum Design to offer affordable educational services throughout Virginia.
What she loves most about it: Samantha is passionate about teaching and learning. She is able to create engaging curriculum while igniting a love of learning in the students she teaches. After going from teacher to curriculum developer, she loves the flexibility of taking care of her family and pursuing a career she loves!
Samantha’s advice for those who aspire to become a curriculum developer: Network whenever and wherever possible! Talk about your interest and experience with others, and share your portfolio on LinkedIn…you never know when the right contact will be the one to get the ball rolling!
Be sure to also use a variety of keywords when searching positions, such as curriculum designer, content developer, EdTech, etc. (as different companies call it different things!). Finally, apply, apply, apply! Set personal goals of how many jobs you will apply for each week (yes…even those you don’t feel entirely qualified for) and keep your name out there.
Samantha also encourages educators to sign up for Educator Forever’s Curriculum Development Foundations Program to fast-track your success as a curriculum developer.
“Prior to beginning Curriculum Development Foundations, I did not have the confidence to even apply for anything outside of the classroom. It was a very frustrating feeling because I had the desire and the drive, but nothing concrete to show my experience or skills.
After completing the program, I obtained my first curriculum design contract and now have the experience coupled with the knowledge to keep applying for more positions. I also have a wonderful network of individuals who surround me with care and support, providing the encouragement and empowerment to keep pushing forward.
It is truly worth it if you are looking at options outside of the classroom. You need a strong network, and the amazing team at Educator Forever is the absolute best there is!”
Ready to Go from Teacher to Curriculum Developer?
If you want to start a career in curriculum development (full or part-time), Educator Forever can help you get started this summer!
Curriculum Development Foundations is a 5-week flexible and empowering program designed to give you everything you need to develop engaging curriculum, stand out in the job market, and take your career to the next level.
You'll also be assigned a curriculum coach, an experienced curriculum developer, who will give you support and personalized feedback on your work. You'll walk away from the program with a polished portfolio of curriculum samples and with an amazing community supporting you as you step into working as a curriculum developer.
At Educator Forever, we don't only teach about curriculum development, but we're actively working in the field through our Educator Forever Agency. If you choose to become a certified curriculum developer during Curriculum Development Foundations, you'll get even more access to job opportunities from our agency, as well as from other educational organizations looking for experienced curriculum developers.
Have questions? Contact Educator Forever any time!