Leena Marie Saleh- The Edtech Guru

12/10/2024

Feeling stuck in your teaching career? Let’s talk about what’s next! 🎓✨

Burnout is real, and it’s okay to slow down and reevaluate. In Episode 92, I sat down with Stephanie Yesil to discuss:
💡 How to focus on what truly matters to prevent burnout
🔑 Tips for successfully transitioning out of teaching
📚 The importance of defining your why when making a big career move

If you’ve been thinking about exploring opportunities beyond the classroom—like EdTech or instructional design—this episode is for you. 💼

What’s been the biggest challenge for you in thinking about a career change? Let’s chat in the comments! ⬇️

12/04/2024

🚨Are You Ready to Take the Leap Beyond the Classroom?🚨

🎙️ Episode 92 is here, and it’s one you won’t want to miss! If you’ve been dreaming about transitioning from teaching to a corporate role, this is your sign to make it happen. 🌟

In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Yesil, founder of Elevated Careers, to uncover her inspiring journey from teacher to six-figure corporate professional. 🙌 Stephanie now helps educators like YOU find success outside the classroom, and she’s sharing all her best tips and strategies.

✨ What You’ll Learn:
📚 Stephanie’s journey and why she made the leap
📋 The exact steps she took to land her corporate role
💡 How she built Elevated Careers to empower educators
🎯 Game-changing strategies for interviews, networking, and overcoming challenges

💡 Whether you’re ready to take the first step or just exploring your options, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you start your journey today!

👉 Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4gl4L1P
🎧 Listen here: https://bit.ly/49oBhxQ

Let’s turn your teaching experience into the next big step in your career! 🚀

➤Episode 92In this inspiring episode, Leena Marie Saleh (AKA The Edtech Guru) sits down with **Stephanie Yesil**, founder of Elevated Careers, to dive deep i...

12/04/2024

🚨 Educators, Are You Ready to Make the Leap? 🚨

🎙️ Episode 92 is here, and it’s a MUST-LISTEN for anyone looking to transition from the classroom to a high-level corporate role. 🌟

This week, I sit down with Stephanie Yesil, founder of , to uncover her incredible journey from teacher to six-figure corporate professional. 🙌 She’s now helping educators like YOU navigate this path and find success beyond the classroom.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
📚 Stephanie’s inspiring story and why she left teaching
📋 The exact steps she took to land a corporate role
💡 How she built Elevated Careers to empower educators
🎯 Game-changing strategies for interviews, networking, and overcoming challenges

💡 This episode is PACKED with actionable advice to help you start your journey today!

👉 Click the link in our bio to listen now, or find it wherever you get your podcasts! Let’s turn your teaching experience into the next big step in your career. 🚀

11/23/2024

One year ago, we hosted an unforgettable event at the Canva office in Austin! 🎉 We invited local teachers to a day full of celebration, creativity, and collaboration—and even had the honor of hearing directly from Canva’s founders during a panel. 🙌✨

It’s moments like these that remind me why I’m so passionate about the work we do. Sharing a love for a product I believe in while offering teachers a fresh, untraditional approach to professional development? That’s the kind of impact that truly matters.

Teachers are at the heart of everything we do, and I never forget the foundation of where I came from. 💙

Here’s to creating more spaces where creativity meets connection! 🌟

11/22/2024

There’s something so magical about meeting your colleagues in person and seeing the work you’ve created come to life on the big screen. ✨

Looking back, I realized I never shared about my experience at 2023 in London! It was such a special moment—it marked the first time I got to meet many of my amazing Canva colleagues who help bring my ideas to life.

Nothing compares to meeting IRL. 💛

But the highlight for me? Getting to present alongside my peers and share in the Canva love. It reminded me how much I genuinely enjoy presenting—not just creating content, but being in front of others, connecting, and sharing the knowledge and passion I’ve built over the years.

I’m so grateful I had the chance to create and present content for two of these shows. I’m already dreaming about being on stage again… hopefully sometime soon! 🙌

What’s your favorite part about meeting colleagues in person or presenting on stage? I’d love to hear your thoughts! 👇

11/19/2024

EdTech is a popular choice for educators looking to transition out of the classroom, but it’s not always as easy or glamorous as it seems. In this clip from Episode 78, I sit down with Kelsie Marks from Educated Exit to talk about:
🔑 Why she left teaching
⚠️ The realities of working in EdTech
🌟 How understanding your motivations can make or break your next career move
You can catch the full episode on YouTube or stream the podcast anywhere you typically listen. Just click the link in bio to dive deeper! 🎧✨

Let’s start an honest conversation about life after teaching. Have you thought about making the switch? Share your story below! ⬇️

11/14/2024

✨ *It’s Here!* Episode 91 is finally LIVE! 🎉

After 1.5 years without a solo episode, I’m excited to share a very personal update with you. This episode is all about what’s really been happening behind the scenes—the highs, the lows, and the lessons that have shaped my journey in education, career, and life.

If you’ve been on this journey with me or are just curious about *The Edtech Guru’s* story, this one’s for you. Grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s reconnect! ☕❤️

🎧 Tune in now 👇

Watch Episode here: https://bit.ly/4fpw3DZ
Listen to the Episode here: https://bit.ly/40MEPr7

10/25/2024

Happy Friday! 🎉

Looking back to my teaching days, Fridays were a light at the end of the tunnel—a time to reset after a week of mental exhaustion. I know so many of you can relate to that feeling!

When I transitioned to the corporate side of edtech and startup life, I found something unexpected: my love for the work shifted my perspective. Suddenly, Fridays didn’t feel like an escape; I wasn’t counting down to the weekend. Instead, I felt fulfilled by the work and the teams I supported.

Now, as a stay-at-home working mom (SAHWM), I’m re-learning what it means to look forward to the weekend. I love spending time with my son, and balancing my passion for my work with my family is a new challenge. Becoming a parent has shown me a new side of myself—one that’s focused on meaningful, impactful work that aligns with my values.

To everyone who’s supported me through this journey—thank you! I’m beyond grateful for this community. As I get ready to kick off new content, I’d love your input:

✨ What career advice would be helpful to you? ✨ Are there any transitioned educators or edtech leaders you’d like me to interview?

Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!

10/18/2024

🎶 Ready to transform the way you learn music? 🎶

In this episode, I sit down with Patrick Boylan, co-founder of MuseFlow.ai, to talk about how gamified, AI-powered learning is changing the game for music education! 🎹 Discover how MuseFlow is disrupting traditional methods and making piano learning more engaging and fun. 🚀

Check out Episode 90 on our channel or anywhere you listen to podcasts. You don’t want to miss this! 🎧✨

10/02/2024

Unlock the secrets to optimizing your LinkedIn profile as a teacher with this insightful interview featuring Katy Stover, CEO & Founder of Higher People! 🎙️✨

[From the archives] Episode (Ep. 66), we share top strategies for career changers and teacher transitioners. Learn how to showcase your teaching experience, build a data-driven narrative, and highlight your transferable skills to boost your professional presence. Perfect for educators ready to take the next step in their career! 🚀

Watch the full interview on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyKasYUDnHs
Or listen to the episode here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theedtechguru/episodes/EP--66-Stalk-your-way-to-the-job-you-want-with-Katy-Stover--Teacher-Transition-Expert-Series-e1oalgv

09/23/2024

🎓 Ready for a career change from the classroom?

In this clip from my full interview with Katy Stover of HigherPeople , as we explore what it takes to successfully transition from teaching to a new role! 💼✨

Discover essential soft skills, key insights from a recruiter’s perspective, and how to showcase your fit for any role. Learn why you may not get past the first interview and how to clearly communicate your skills to land that dream job! 🌟

Catch the full interview on YouTube (Ep. 66) for more valuable tips to elevate your career! 📲https://youtu.be/pyKasYUDnHs

09/20/2024

Get Parents INVOLVED: Boost Student Success Today! 🎉👩‍🏫👨‍👧‍👦

🌟 In this clip from Episode 83, I chat with Alfonzo Mendoza of about why bringing parents into the classroom is such a game-changer. We’re sharing exciting strategies to keep parents actively engaged in student presentations and connected to their child's educational journey.

Catch the full episode on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts! 🎧

09/11/2024

Are you transitioning out of teaching and unsure of what’s next? Join Leena Saleh and LinkedIn expert Erin Lewber as they discuss how networking with the right professionals is key to finding your next career path. Learn how LinkedIn can help you connect with people who can guide your post-teaching journey! 💼

👉 Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel!

09/06/2024

🎉 I can’t believe it—just 4 videos shy of 100 and 44 subscribers away from hitting 500! 🚀

When I first started sharing my love for EdTech and education, I never imagined it would turn into something this impactful. What began with coffee chats has grown into something much bigger, and who knew that sharing my journey out of the classroom would resonate so much? That transition not only added value to all of you but also opened the door to some incredible interviews and connections. 💡✨

After a bit of a content break, I’m excited to jump back in and start creating again! 🎥 If you haven’t subscribed to my channel yet, I’d love for you to join the community. If you already have, I’d love to hear from you—what’s been your favorite video or interview? What’s the one takeaway that’s stuck with you? Let me know in the comments below! ⬇️

Can’t wait to get back in front of the camera and continue this journey with you all. Thank you so much for your support! 🙏

09/06/2024

💼 **Ace Your Next Interview: Expert Tips with LinkedIn’s Erin Lewber & Leena Saleh** 🎯

Join Erin and me as we break down the top strategies to help you succeed in your next interview. We’ll show you how to craft a winning pitch, research company values, and stand out from the crowd. Ready to make a lasting impression and land that dream job? Let’s get to work! 🚀

Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel! 🎥 or click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXTzF2McEZE&t=3s

08/26/2024

This weekend we celebrated our son’s 6-month milestone, and it got me thinking...

Why don’t we celebrate our business milestones with the same joy?

We’re so quick to recognize big life moments—whether it’s a baby’s first year, a wedding, or even a birthday. But when we hit significant milestones at work, we often move right past them. Shouldn’t we take a moment to celebrate the first month at a new job, the end of a project, or a promotion? These are moments that shape us too.

I remember my first month at Canva—it felt like I had landed my dream role, something I’d only imagined. By month three, I had already learned so much about myself, not only as a professional but as a person. Transitioning from a small 13-person team to a larger company helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect.

Now, two and a half years later, I’m celebrating a different milestone—learning how to perform at a high level on very little sleep. The drive to succeed is still there, but my motivation has shifted. Now, it’s all about balancing my passion for work with the desire to create meaningful moments with my son.

We grow and evolve in ways we don’t always realize. So here’s to celebrating *all* the milestones—the personal, the professional, and everything in between. 💫

08/21/2024

Looking to learn more about how to use Canva in the classroom with your students?

Join us tonight for our webinar and handy tips and tricks from the Canva team!

See you tonight!

Foster mastery of new knowledge and increase student engagement with Canva for Education.

08/13/2024

**🎙️ We’re Back with Episode 89! 🎉**

After almost a year away, I’m so excited to bring you a new episode of the Teacher Transition Expert series! Thank you all for your patience and support during the break—it means everything to me!

In this episode, I chat with the amazing Rachel Bodily, a former educator who made a successful transition into EdTech. Rachel is the founder of MYP Math Tutor and the Associate Director of Learning & Engagement at Toddle.

We dive into:
- Rachel’s journey from teaching to tech
- The steps she took to make the leap
- How her life has transformed since leaving the classroom
- Tips for anyone thinking about making a similar transition

This episode is full of inspiration and practical advice, so don’t miss it!

👉 [Watch on YouTube](https://bit.ly/46IPTXk)
🎧 [Listen on Spotify](https://bit.ly/470Zedr)

Let’s us know what your takeaways were from this episode!