One Event Sparks a Reaction that Changes Everything

When I think about the twists and turns my career has taken, I sometimes marvel at how one event sparks a reaction that changes everything. Eleven years ago, I never imagined that a simple classroom discussion about my honeymoon would lead me to a full-time career teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to students across the globe. Yet, that’s exactly what happened. It’s a story of adapting to life’s curveballs, embracing technology, and finding ways to turn every challenge into an opportunity.

If you had told me years ago that I would teach hundreds of students from a tent on top of a mountain, or schedule classes from halfway across the world during family trips, I wouldn’t have believed you. But that’s the reality of what happened when I transitioned from teaching in a traditional classroom, to experimenting with real estate, to finally discovering a passion for online ESL instruction. Each of these steps taught me something new, and along the way, I learned how to use instructional design and data analysis in ways I had never anticipated. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I made that leap into ESL teaching and why it became more than just a side job—it became my full-time career and my calling.

Moving from the Classroom to Real Estate Sparks a Reaction

After several years as a classroom teacher, I decided to make a big change. My family and I relocated to a rural area in Kentucky, and I initially planned to transition into real estate. Real estate had always fascinated me—ever since purchasing my first home and becoming a landlord, I’d been intrigued by the business side of property ownership. The move seemed like the perfect opportunity to try something new and build a business that would provide financial stability while allowing me to be close to my family.

But real estate turned out to be more time-consuming than I expected. Building a name for myself in a new community required countless hours of networking, marketing, and administrative work. With a new baby at home and a son in elementary school, I found myself struggling to maintain the balance I had hoped for. The entire reason we moved—to spend more time together as a family—felt out of reach.

As I reassessed my career, I realized that while I enjoyed parts of real estate, it didn’t align with my core skills or passions. I missed the sense of purpose I had felt in the classroom, helping students learn and grow. It became clear that I needed to pivot again, but this time, I wanted to find something that offered both flexibility and fulfillment that sparks a reaction to the next evolution of my journey.

Next Discovering ESL Teaching Sparks a Reaction

Around this time, I began exploring opportunities to teach English online. Teaching ESL was something many educators were doing as a part-time gig, especially since online platforms had made it easier than ever to connect with students across the globe. At first, I saw it as a way to supplement my income while I figured out my next steps. Little did I know, it would become so much more than that.

My first classes were with students in China, and I immediately fell in love with the work. Teaching online had its own challenges—time zones, cultural differences, and the need to adjust my instructional approach for a virtual setting—but it also offered incredible rewards. I got to work one-on-one with students, tailoring lessons to their individual needs and watching their confidence grow.

As my classes became more popular, I started to see the potential for growth. I used instructional design principles to create engaging lesson plans that kept students motivated, even when tackling difficult material. My background in data analysis also came into play—I tracked student performance, identified patterns in their learning, and adjusted my methods based on what worked best. These skills allowed me to deliver a more personalized and effective learning experience, which in turn led to glowing reviews and a steady stream of new students.

Building a Community and a Presence

One of the turning points in my ESL teaching journey was when I began building a presence on WeChat, a popular social media and messaging platform in China. I used it to communicate with students and their parents, answer questions, and even share resources like practice exercises and study tips. Over time, my WeChat account sparks a reaction that evolved into a mini-community where I could engage with my students outside of class.

This was also where I started sharing stories and photos from my personal life, including my family trips. I discovered that my students were fascinated by these glimpses into American culture and lifestyle. One day, I shared with them how I had asked my middle school students years ago for suggestions on where to go for my honeymoon. The discussion that followed sparked so much interest and curiosity that it became a springboard for lessons in geography, history, and even budgeting.

The more I shared these stories, the more I realized how much they resonated with my students. My trips became a way to connect with them on a deeper level, while also turning everyday experiences into interactive learning opportunities.

From Part-Time Gig to Full-Time Career

What started as a way to earn extra income quickly grew into a full-time career. By leveraging technology, instructional design, and data analysis, I was able to stand out in a competitive field. I developed a reputation for creating engaging, personalized lessons and going above and beyond to support my students.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this work was the flexibility it offered. I could teach from anywhere, which meant I could spend more time with my family while still pursuing a meaningful career. There were times when I taught from unconventional locations—like a tent on top of a mountain during one of our family trips—but those experiences only added to the adventure.

Looking Ahead

As I reflect on this journey, I’m grateful for the unexpected paths that “sparks a reaction” to lead me to where I am today. Teaching ESL online has allowed me to combine my passions for education, technology, and cultural exchange in ways I never imagined. It’s also given me the opportunity to connect with students from all over the world, helping them achieve their goals while learning so much from them in return.

In my next post, I’ll share how that honeymoon conversation with my middle school class turned into an interactive learning experience that incorporated social studies, mathematics, language arts, and science. This adventure not only became a highlight of my teaching career but also inspired a yearly tradition that my wife and I continued for several years in our classrooms. Stay tuned—I promise it’s a story worth hearing!