“Educators are rockstars. Seriously, which other professionals are able to be experts in public speaking, persuasion/influence, and data analytics... all in a single day? Which is why educators deserve a rockstar guide to building a great career. And that’s exactly what Nallely Gass and Michael Beyer have designed with Pencils Down!” 

-Jeremy Schifeling, Former Kindergarten Teacher and Founder of Break into Tech

"I truly enjoyed reading Pencils Down…it is illuminating and pulled me in!  When I think about the qualities that make someone truly successful, I reflect on people with passion, knowledge,  and skills and that can transfer from one industry to the next. Educators aren’t just meant for classrooms. They bring a unique blend of empathy, brilliance, communication skills, and the gift of making complex ideas understandable. To me, these qualities are highly regarded, resonate with diverse groups, and are undeniably valuable."

-Rae Ali, Chief People Officer 

“Pencils Down captures the emotions behind the difficult decision so many of us make, myself included, to leave Education for other endeavors - the feelings of anxiety and exhaustion, anger, betrayal, followed by shame and guilt, fear - not necessarily in that order, and not necessarily linear, and definitely with ebbs and flows. Once you finally surrender and commit to choose yourself: your health (both physical and mental) - you slowly start the process of healing. We didn’t go into Education to want to leave it, but the system has created conditions that has made it unbearable to stay. Pencils Down helped me see my story play out in so many different nuanced ways in the lives of so many others. It made me realize that I’m not alone. However, instead of taking comfort in that, I’m frightfully afraid of what this means for the future of public education in our country. I am afraid for our children and our future generations. Pencils Down is a call to action.” 

-Rita Raichoudhuri, Ed.D., former Superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools

“In one word: Honest. Pencils Down offers a real, tangible narrative of the problems facing educators across our nation and offers many paths forward for those looking to shift their careers, as well as giving hope to what can be a very isolating feeling of distress. Although Pencils Down speaks primarily to teachers, all members of our society who have a vested interest in education should read this and take note of the strife and burdens that our society lays on the hearts of those responsible for educating and in many ways, raising our children.” 

-Mickey Olhava, McHenry County Federation of Teachers, Local 1642, President and Illinois Federation of Teachers, Vice President

"Pencils Down is long overdue and much needed for any educator that is looking to transition into their next!   As a former teacher and administrator, the framework described in Pencils Down helped me create a plan when I'm searching for my next job. I highly recommend this book to every educator even if you plan to stay in the profession and simply want to develop a long term plan for when you retire or tapout..  You have a plethora of transferable skills and abilities that the world needs."

-Dina McReynolds-Everage, former teacher, principal, and school administrator

"Pencils Down takes readers on a captivating journey into the lives of educators who have ventured beyond the classroom. Its pages are filled with narratives of educators who have grappled with the challenges of toxic work environments and burnout, showcasing how they prioritized their well-being by transitioning to new careers. This profound exploration of educators' journeys not only emphasizes the urgent need for transformation within the education sector, but also celebrates educators' unique skills and role in the ever-evolving job market. The book serves as an inspiring call to embrace fresh experiences and consider a return to education after gaining a revitalized perspective. It underscores the importance of educator well-being, ultimately contributing to the betterment of students and society at large."

- Alexis M. Murillo, Ed.M. Harvard University

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