Be a Legacy Teacher: Five Purpose-Filled Pathways to Inspire Late-Career and Retiring Educators

Author:   Carol Pelletier Radford
Publisher:   SAGE Publications Inc
ISBN:  

9781071990216


Pages:   216
Publication Date:   23 March 2026
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

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Be a Legacy Teacher: Five Purpose-Filled Pathways to Inspire Late-Career and Retiring Educators


Overview

Share your wisdom, passion, and experience as you plan your next chapter For educators, teaching is more than just a job; it′s a part of who they are. But when the time comes to start thinking about leaving the classroom, many are left asking, What′s next? Retirement doesn′t have to mean stepping away from the impact you′ve made or the wisdom you′ve gained. Be a Legacy Teacher provides a roadmap to help retiring teachers—and those thinking about retirement—transition into a fulfilling new phase of life while continuing to contribute to the betterment of education. This inspiring and beautifully designed guide walks educators through five meaningful pathways to remain connected to their passion and community. Whether through mentorship, teaching in unconventional settings, writing, consulting, or influencing through community engagement, retiring educators will discover ways to create their own lasting legacy. Designed to help retiring or late-career teachers explore practical ways in which they can move their love of teaching beyond the classroom, this book includes: Creative and actionable strategies to help retired teachers channel their knowledge and skills into impactful opportunities Journal prompts for reflection on personal goals, values, and next steps as you transition into retirement Stories and advice from experienced Legacy Teachers, offering ideas and inspiration from their real-life journeys A customizable Legacy Teacher Action Plan to transform your retirement goals into a meaningful reality Whether you′re planning your next chapter or already retired, Be a Legacy Teacher empowers you to honor your career and build upon your legacy of great teaching. Rediscover your purpose, support the next generation of educators, and continue to make a difference in your community.

Full Product Details

Author:   Carol Pelletier Radford
Publisher:   SAGE Publications Inc
Imprint:   Corwin Press Inc
Weight:   0.390kg
ISBN:  

9781071990216


ISBN 10:   1071990217
Pages:   216
Publication Date:   23 March 2026
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

Reviews

""′I′m retiring from the classroom. What do I do now?′ Many retiring teachers certainly don’t feel finished contributing. This book from Carol Pelletier Radford is a wonderful resource for teachers and school leaders who wonder what to do next. It’s packed with concrete, doable ideas for educators who still have so much to contribute. Whether you treat this book as a worktext or you just read through, you will discover ideas you might not have thought about."" -- Gretchen Bernabei, Author and Retired Teacher ""Every once in a while a book is written that you didn’t know you needed to read. Carol Radford has written a book that allows you to explore the needs you might have and gives you help in examining them. The reader gets a gift of possibilities with new ideas and new ways to explore them for his/her own growth. I highly recommend this dynamic read."" -- Marilyn Frank, President ""Carol Pelletier Radford invites teachers, especially those approaching retirement, to enter into a deep conversation, one that is both personal and professional, about the teacher they were and the teacher they can still be to new and experienced teachers. After thirty-five years in the classroom, I recently retired but felt I had more to contribute. This book honored all that I had learned and showed me ways I could offer those lessons to those teachers just entering the profession and those still creating their legacy."" -- Jim Burke, Author of Teaching Better Day by Day ""Carol has set the standard for quality mentoring in the field and has devoted herself serving novice educators and those who support them. This book invites other seasoned educators to discover ways to share their wisdom, talent, and passion to ensure bright futures for those who follow in their footsteps."" -- Tami DuFault-Toomb, New Teacher Mentor Program Coordinator ""A treasure trove of splendid ideas of how to utilize one of our most precious resources: the retired teacher. Radford adroitly leads her audience through networking silos, arriving at the final destination of legacy teacher—priceless!"" -- Roberta (Bobbie) Margo, Recent Member of the National Education Association (NEA); Retired Executive Council and NEA Retired Life Member; Current Member, Education Minnesota Retired Governing Board ""Be a Legacy Teacher: Five Purpose-Filled Pathways to Inspire Late Career and Retiring Educators provides a thoughtful step by step process for one to discern their future involvement in the field of education after retirement. The process leads one to best determine just what their educational legacy will be and how they can share their expertise with others as a means of making a long-lasting impact on newcomers to the profession as well as veteran teachers. The book is a great resource to have at your side as your educational journey continues into retirement."" -- Timothy D. Sullivan, Ed.D., Former Vice President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, Former President of the Brockton Education Association, Retired Teacher ""Having worked closely with Carol Radford Pelletier, I know her deep commitment to uplifting educators. Be a Legacy Teacher is an inspiring call to action—showing how the wisdom of late-career teachers can be repurposed to mentor, lead, and leave a lasting impact. A must-read for sustaining school communities."" -- Lisa Marie Dix, Elementary Curriculum Director ""Be a Legacy Teacher: Five Purpose-Filled Pathways to Inspire Late-Career and Retiring Educators is a rare gift for all educators. It feels like a heart-to-heart with a wise mentor who gently reminds you: ""You still matter. Your voice still counts."" Through intentional self-ref lection prompts, wisdom-sharing strategies, and calls to action, the book helps you not just remember your value, but use it. It isn’t about going back—it’s about redirecting your continued service to the profession—strategically, passionately and with deep intention. For any retired educator still feeling the spark, this is your invitation to leave a second legacy. Education still needs your voice. Thank you, Carol, for your professional generosity and sharing your voice in support of our amazing profession!"" -- Meg Roa, Consultant and Specialist, Recruitment & Retention Office ""Retired teachers and administrators often have limited options to continue in education. Be a Legacy Teacher offers educational ideas for retirees: mentoring, teaching, writing, and, advising and/or consulting, with examples for each section. With its myriad of ideas, this book should be part of every school professional library."" -- Peggy Williams, Retired English Teacher ""Carol’s inspiring words remind us that retirement isn’t the end of impact, it is a new chapter to share wisdom, nurture passion, and continue shaping lives. Be A Legacy Teacher honors the lasting influence of educators who are ready to turn the page, but not end the story."" -- Kathryn E. Shupe, Retired New Teacher Support Coordinator ""As a lifelong learner, educator and leader in mentorship, this book is a lovely reminder that ""once a teacher, always a teacher"". Legacy Teachers are the core of our education system—Legacy Teachers often fill the gaps between the experienced and novice educators with their insight, bird’s eye perspective, and wisdom only gained through experience and observation. In the North Dakota statewide mentoring program (ND RISE), our Legacy Mentors are the key to ensuring our beginning teachers are prepared, purposeful, and engaged. Carol does a beautiful job laying out strategies that speak to the whole adult."" -- Marijke Leibel, Assistant Coordinator ""With the increasing loss of ""collective wisdom"" in the teaching profession when the experienced and accomplished cadre of educators retire, significant efforts must be made to preserve their legacy for the next generations of teachers. Mentoring as a legacy undertaking should be at the heart of this effort. This book provides an invaluable resource toolkit to those teachers who are passionate about imparting their knowledge, helping others grow, and leaving an important mark in education by paying purposeful attention to their own and others’ wellbeing."" -- Dr. Benjamin Kutsyuruba, Professor


Author Information

Carol Pelletier Radford is the founder of Mentoring in Action, an organization dedicated to the success of novice teachers and their mentors. She received her doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education where she focused her studies on mentoring and teacher leadership. Carol is an experienced classroom teacher, university education administrator, and certified yoga instructor. She is the author of bestselling Corwin books Mentoring in Action: Guiding, Sharing, and Reflecting With Novice Teachers; The First Years Matter: Becoming an Effective Teacher; Teaching With Light: Ten Lessons for Finding Wisdom, Balance, and Inspiration; and ""When I Started Teaching, I Wish I Had Known..."" Weekly Wisdom for Beginning Teachers.  Visit https://mentoringinaction.com/  to learn more about her books and access free podcasts, videos, and courses. You can find her near the beach in Falmouth, Massachusetts and Venice, Florida.

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