Leena Marie Saleh- The Edtech Guru

I’m back for another year! 🎉
Who’s heading to Canva Create this year?!

I seriously can’t wait to connect with so many of you in person 💛

There is just something about being surrounded by educators, creators, and all things creativity that fills my cup.

You can catch me:
✨ At the certification booth
✨ Hanging around Design School Labs
✨ Or… just look for the very pregnant lady 😂

If you see me, PLEASE come say hi. I mean it. I love meeting this community in real life 🫶

CanvaDesign CreatorCommunity WomenInEdTech MomCreator WorkFromHomeMom ConferenceSeason NetworkingIRL DesignSchool

I’ve been having more and more conversations lately with teachers quietly asking:

“Is there something else out there for me?”

So this episode felt especially important to share.

Episode 106 is live, and I sat down with Erique Berry, a former educator who transitioned into tech and is now working in customer success and technical support.

What I love about his story is how real it is.

No perfect roadmap.
No overnight success.
Just a series of decisions, mindset shifts, and learning how to see his skills in a new way.

We talked about:
• What customer success roles actually look like
• The skills teachers already have that transfer into tech
• How to position yourself when you don’t have a “traditional” background
• The mindset shifts that make the biggest difference

If you’ve been wondering what your next chapter could look like, this is a really good place to start.

Listen here: https://bit.ly/4m1K52K
Watch here: https://bit.ly/4doOElG

And I’m really curious…
Have you ever thought about leaving the classroom, even just for a second?

I’ve been quieter here than usual.
Not because I ran out of ideas or motivation, but because my capacity changed.

This season has forced me to rethink what “showing up” really looks like. Some days, showing up just meant surviving and keeping the important things moving.

What I’m learning is that leadership isn’t just about output. It’s about showing up in the ways you can.

If you’ve ever had a season where life quietly reshaped how you move through work, you’re not alone. 💛

How do you show up professionally when your energy or capacity shifts?

Four years at Canva 🎆🎆🎆

I can’t help but think about the 22 year old version of me who first stepped into a classroom. She was excited, nervous, and determined, completely unaware of how much that experience would shape her.

Teaching was my foundation. It taught me how to communicate clearly, manage complexity, build trust, lead a room, and support people through frustration and breakthrough moments.

Four years into my role at Canva, I see how deeply that foundation still carries me.

What started as stepping out of the classroom has turned into supporting educators and teams across the globe, collaborating with brilliant minds in tech, learning how to operate within a truly global organization, and growing into a leader who thinks beyond one room and into entire systems.

Working across time zones, cultures, and functions has stretched me in ways I never imagined. I’ve learned how to align diverse teams, influence without authority, and think strategically while still staying grounded in people.

And the joy? It’s still the same. The joy of empowering someone to create, seeing confidence build, and knowing your work helps someone do theirs better.

I am so proud of that 22 year old who chose the classroom. It took her almost a decade to believe she could do more, but every step prepared her for this.

I wouldn’t be here without my students, the schools that trusted me, or the messy, beautiful, exhausting years of teaching. They built me.

And I wouldn’t be able to do what I do today without my incredible teammates at Canva, who challenge, support, and inspire me every single day.

Four years at Canva. And still just getting started. Grateful, proud, and excited for what’s next 💛

Happy holidays from my family to yours. Grateful for the connections, conversations, and community this year. Wishing you a restful and joyful season.

When I left the classroom, I promised myself that I’d never stop helping educators.

But recently, I found myself doing something a little different…
Teaching a room full of realtors how to use Canva!

At first, I was nervous. Totally different space. Totally different crowd.
Then I realized something powerful.
It doesn’t matter what you teach or who you teach—everyone becomes a student when they’re learning something new.

It turned out to be one of the most fun, fulfilling experiences I’ve had in a while. A good reminder that teaching will always be a part of who I am.

🚨 It’s been long overdue! 🚨

It felt so good to sit down with Kelsie Marks, Director of Career Transformations at Educated Exit, and talk the real truths about leaving the classroom, the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

If you’ve been wondering what life looks like beyond teaching or feeling stuck in your job search, this episode is for you.

We dive into:
✨ Why EdTech isn’t the only path for educators
💡 How to highlight your transferable skills confidently
💻 LinkedIn tips, what to include and what to avoid
🧠 The difference between job search tools and strategy
🤝 How working with a coach can give you clarity and confidence
🗣️ Where AI fits into today’s job search

🎧 Episode 103 is LIVE!
Listen or watch anywhere you get your podcasts:
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3WhfEtu
Watch: https://bit.ly/4hkAXEh

💬 What’s one skill you’ve discovered is more transferable than you ever realized? Drop it below 👇