Key points:
- A mature professional transition signals respect for the people and institution
- 3 essentials for successful supervisory relationships
- 4 things higher-ed job candidates should see on your social media
- For more news on faculty, visit eCN’s Campus Leadership hub
The end of the academic year often signals a period of transition for educators. Whether moving to teaching new courses, a new institution, stepping into a different role, or leaving the education sector entirely, how one exits a position can leave a lasting impression.
Departures can be moments of professional growth or, if handled poorly, instances that undermine years of positive contributions. For those preparing to make a change, this is an opportunity not just to finish well, but to be remembered as a positive contributor with class and professionalism. Most universities have legends about faculty who didn’t get tenure or otherwise left and did their best to scorch the earth as they left.
There are several key considerations and actions to ensure a smooth, respectful, and professional exit. Below are some ways to leave with grace and professionalism.
Communicate early and clearly
One of the first, and most critical, steps in transitioning out of a role is clear and timely communication. Once a decision has been made and your new position is confirmed, informing your direct supervisor is essential. The timing of this conversation can vary depending on your contractual obligations, but the earlier you can provide notice, the more you support your current institution in planning for the transition. This shouldn’t be a surprise, as if you make it to be a finalist, you should have already informed your supervisor that you were in the running for another position. As education can be an exceptionally small world, not giving your supervisor a heads up can be a potential problem–particularly if your supervisor might be an acquaintance of your potential new supervisor. It is not uncommon for your potential supervisor to contact a current supervisor as a final reference and give them a courtesy heads up they will be offering you a position. If your current supervisor is surprised by the news you were looking, the new supervisor might be hesitant to make an offer. Be direct but positive in your communication. Express appreciation for the opportunities and experiences gained and offer to assist with the transition. Avoid complaints or grievances in this initial conversation; this is a time to demonstrate professionalism and gratitude. Be prepared to potentially receive a counteroffer to stay. However, my general response was that the counteroffer should have been made when I first told them that I was looking or when I told them I was a finalist.
Write a thoughtful resignation letter
A well-written resignation letter is both a formal requirement and a chance to articulate your appreciation. It doesn’t need to be lengthy, but it should include the date of your intended departure, gratitude for the opportunity, a brief statement about your reason for leaving, framed as an opportunity for growth, and an offer to support the transition. This document becomes a part of your employment record and should reflect your professionalism and evidence a positive tone.
Manage the narrative
Word travels quickly in schools. After notifying your supervisor, agree on how and when the news will be shared with colleagues and any people you supervise. If you’re in a leadership or instructional role, offer to craft your own announcement (with administrative approval) so you can ensure the tone is respectful and consistent with your values. Framing your departure as a step forward rather than an escape sets a professional tone and helps preserve relationships. It helps students and colleagues understand that career growth is a natural and healthy part of professional life.
Maintain performance standards
Once you have announced your departure, the hardest part can be staying fully engaged, as often you are excited and eager to get started in your new role. However, your conduct during your last weeks will shape how people remember you. Aim to finish projects, fulfill commitments, and maintain instructional quality and leadership responsibilities. Your legacy depends not just on what you accomplished, but on how you ended. This is an excellent chance to reinforce the skills you’ve been known for, whether it’s collaboration, innovation, or care for students. Exiting a role with the same energy and professionalism you brought on day one is a powerful way to leave a lasting impression.
Organize for a smooth transition
A critical act of professionalism is preparing your successor or your team for success after you leave. Leave your supervisor or your office manager with a digital copy of any materials that they might need for accreditation or other ongoing programs. Make sure no student is still waiting on materials or a response from you. If you have advising duties, make sure your advisees know who is going to take your place. Even if a replacement hasn’t been hired, consider what information, materials, or routines would be helpful for someone stepping into your role. Provide a list of key deadline dates of which your replacement should be aware. If you created an entry plan when you came into the position, leaving a copy of it for your replacement would be helpful. You don’t have to create a massive handbook, but a shared folder or a short document outlining the essentials can be an invaluable gift to your successor and a reflection of your thoughtfulness. The best transition experience I had was when I was able to sit down with my predecessor who had provided a thorough to do list for our transition. Offering to meet with your replacement and help ease their transition is a good faith measure whether or not your predecessor takes advantage of the offer.
Celebrate and express gratitude
It is important to provide your team an opportunity for closure. Whether it’s a quiet lunch with close colleagues or a larger celebration organized by your department or college, allow space for gratitude, reflection, and closure. Take time to thank the people who have shaped your journey–mentors, teammates, students, custodians, and others who may have played a role in your professional growth. As a supervisor, when I have been asked about a going away gift, I have always suggested a team photo, so I can remember everyone. Such photos are a simple and inexpensive remembrance. If you supervise others, be intentional in affirming them. I wrote each of my subordinates and key colleagues a personalized thank you note highlighting their accomplishments on the team and reminding them to reach out in the future if I could ever be of assistance.
Avoid the temptation to vent
As tempting as it may be to air frustrations or critique the system on your way out, resist the urge. While honest feedback can be valuable, your exit is not the time to unload grievances. If asked to participate in an exit interview, be constructive and professional. Focus on growth opportunities and share feedback in a respectful and solutions-oriented way. Remember, education is a small world. Your next opportunity may involve collaborating with past colleagues or supervisors. Leave the door open to future connections.Just because you’re leaving a role doesn’t mean you’re leaving relationships behind. Exchange contact information with key colleagues, especially those you’d like to stay in touch with or learn from in the future. You never know when you might cross paths again, whether through a professional conference, district collaboration, or a new opportunity.
End with integrity
Ultimately, your departure is a moment of leadership, regardless of your role. Ending well speaks volumes about your character, maturity, and professionalism. It signals respect for the people and institution you’ve served and demonstrates your readiness for the next chapter. By finishing strong, supporting a smooth handoff, and expressing sincere appreciation, you not only preserve your reputation, you elevate it. Perhaps most importantly, you model for students and colleagues what it means to move forward with grace.
Transitions are inevitable, but how we manage them is a choice. As the academic year winds down, those preparing to step into something new have an opportunity to leave with dignity, professionalism, and purpose. In doing so, they honor their past and pave the way for future success, for themselves and for those they leave behind.
Baule’s scholarly interests focus on online student engagement, educational technology-- particularly the impact of 1:1 implementations, social-emotional learning, and the history of education. Baule led several efforts to improve student emotional health and reduce discipline issues prior to moving into higher education. He also writes on aspects of early American history.
Baule has held memberships in the American Association of School Administrators, the American Library Association, the American Association of School Librarians, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Consortium for School Networking, the International Association of School Librarians, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Staff Development Council, and many of their state affiliates. He has served as a consultant in the areas of educational technology, facilities design, library program development, team building, and communications.
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