From the Classroom to the Design Desk: Transitioning from ELT to Instructional Design

In the latest episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, hosts Shé and Anna are joined by Sharon Tjaden-Burkes, a former English language educator who successfully transitioned into instructional design (ID). Sharon shares her deeply personal and practical story of leaving adjunct teaching behind to pursue a more sustainable, fulfilling path in learning and development.

We all have one life. Choose something you'd want to do during the day.  —Sharon Tjaden-Burkes

From battling burnout while raising two young kids to upskilling through a graduate certificate and hobby projects, Sharon offers both encouragement and concrete advice for educators who are ready for change—but unsure where to begin. Her journey speaks to the realities many teachers face: invisible labor, limited growth opportunities, and the pressure to do it all alone. Through candid storytelling, Sharon helps listeners see how their classroom experience is not just transferable—it’s transformational.

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