Why I Quit My Career As A Special Education Teacher To Become An Executive Function Coach
- Sean G. McCormick
- May 15
- 5 min read
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In 2019, I found myself entrenched in a school system that prioritized content over essential life skills. I felt increasingly frustrated, knowing that students needed executive function skills for true independence and success.
I had a growing family and needed financial stability, making the leap into EF coaching a daunting prospect. However, discovering a community of parents and educators passionate about EF skills changed everything.
In 2020, I took action.
I contacted local educational psychologists and ADHD therapists, sharing my vision of helping kids with organizational skills. Dylan and Silva, two key allies, connected me with clients who needed my expertise and enthusiasm.
Encouraged by their support, I took the plunge. Word spread quickly, and I successfully built Executive Function Specialists, transforming countless lives through EF coaching.
Here is the full story 👇
Why I Became A Special Education Teacher
I was inspired to become a special educator because I’ve always loved working with students. I enjoyed the daily interactions—especially helping students figure out how to learn something that felt difficult.
Right after high school, I joined City Year in New York and served as an AmeriCorps volunteer, supporting students in under-resourced schools.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in English literature, then went on to complete a master’s in special education. From there, I worked as a substitute teacher, then as a special education aide, and eventually transitioned into running my own counseling-rich classroom for over four years.
The Challenges of Being A Special Education Teacher
The first big challenge I faced was how much special education focused on compliance and legal paperwork instead of meaningful student support. Too often, I saw students labeled as low-achieving, and expectations were lowered instead of providing scaffolds and strategies to help them succeed.
When I advocated for students to stay on a diploma track, I faced pushback from administrators who preferred to maintain the status quo. It felt like I was constantly going against the grain.
Another major issue was caseload overload. Despite the promise of individualized education, I was being asked to serve more students with fewer supports. I often found myself fighting for basic resources, feeling more like a lone advocate than a supported team member.
And finally, when my wife and I had our first child, I realized how little flexibility the system offered for working parents. I wanted to be an engaged dad and a great teacher, but the job made that feel impossible.
On top of all that, I was frustrated with the compensation structure. No matter how hard I worked or how skilled I was, my salary was determined by seniority—not impact. That just didn’t sit right with me.
The Moment I Knew I had To Quit Special Education
The turning point came when I finally allowed myself to consider something else. I started Googling: What can I do with a special education degree?
That’s when I discovered the world of educational therapy and private educators. I found a local group—Marin Educators in Private Practice—and started attending their meetings.
At one of them, someone shared how they worked remotely, helping students manage their schoolwork and executive function challenges… and they were charging $300 per session.
That number blew my mind. At the time, I wasn’t making that much in a full day. But instead of brushing it off, I leaned in. I needed to figure out how they were doing it—because I wanted that kind of freedom and impact too.
How I Made The Transition From Special Education To Executive Function Coach
That moment lit a fire. I started reading books about starting a business and tried a lot of different things. I launched a podcast—Earn More Tutoring—where I interviewed people who had successfully transitioned out of the classroom. It was my way of getting free mentorship.
As I talked to more people and reflected on what I loved most about teaching, I realized that I wanted to focus on helping students with organization, time management, and follow-through. So I began calling myself an “organization coach” and introduced myself to local neuropsychologists.
I got a couple of referrals. Then more. They started saying things like, “Sean helps with executive function skills.” Over the next 10 months, my caseload grew steadily—and I realized I was earning enough to leave my teaching job and coach full-time.
What Advice Would I Give To Special Educators Thinking of Leaving the Classroom?
Leaving the classroom is hard. You’re emotionally invested in your students and your school community. It becomes part of your identity.
But here’s what I’ve learned: the impact you want to make doesn’t have to end just because you leave the classroom. In fact, working one-on-one with students and families as an executive function coach has allowed me to help in a deeper, more focused way—and with far less burnout.
Yes, it’s scary to walk away from a regular paycheck and start building your own thing. But there are great tools and communities out there to help you get started. And more than anything else, it’s worth investing in yourself.
An investment in your skills and your future has the highest return of all.
The Bottom Line
Once you realize you don’t have to stay stuck in a broken system to make a difference, everything starts to open up: your energy, your options, your impact.
Here’s your cheat sheet for leaving special education and building a career you love:
Don’t wait for permission to explore a new path
Talk to people doing the kind of work you want
Say yes to the curiosity that’s nudging you forward
Remember: your classroom experience is your competitive edge
Invest in systems and support that help you build momentum
You don’t have to do it all at once. Just start.
Hope this helps! 🤙🏻
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About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and expanding my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.