Leena Marie Saleh- The Edtech Guru

Leena Marie Saleh- The Edtech Guru Leena Saleh aka The Edtech Guru is a former STEM educator who is extremely passionate about the worl

When I left the classroom, I had no idea how many of my teacher skills would follow me into EdTech.One career path I wis...
08/06/2026

When I left the classroom, I had no idea how many of my teacher skills would follow me into EdTech.

One career path I wish more educators knew about?

Instructional design.

And no… it’s not just creating courses or making things look pretty. 😉

At its core, instructional design is about understanding people and creating experiences that help them learn.

It’s asking:

✨ What does someone need to know?
✨ What might get in their way?
✨ How do we make something complex feel simple?
✨ How do we create an experience that actually helps someone succeed?

In my role at Canva, I get to do exactly that.

I partner with teams across Canva to bring products and resources to life, create content that helps educators understand what’s possible, and turn new tools into meaningful learning experiences.

And the best part?

I use skills I built as a teacher every single day:

✔️ Breaking down complex concepts
✔️ Understanding my audience
✔️ Creating engaging learning experiences
✔️ Communicating clearly
✔️ Adapting based on feedback

The classroom didn’t hold me back.

It prepared me.

If you’re a teacher wondering if your skills translate outside the classroom, I hope this is your reminder:

You are building skills every single day that companies need.

You’re not starting over.

You’re translating what you already know into a new space.

I’m Leena, a former educator turned EdTech professional. I share more about teacher transitions, EdTech careers, motherhood, and building a career that fits your life.

Teachers who transitioned careers: what classroom skill surprised you the most in your new role? 👇

FormerTeacher TeacherSkills CareerChange CanvaEducation TransitionedTeacher WomenInEdTech WorkingMom

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from teachers who are thinking about a career transition is:“I need to know exa...
08/05/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from teachers who are thinking about a career transition is:

“I need to know exactly what I want to do before I leave the classroom.”

But here’s the thing…

You don’t.

I didn’t.

When I started exploring what was next, I didn’t have a perfect five-year plan.

I just knew what I wanted less of.

Less Sunday anxiety.

Less feeling like I had to carry everything by myself.

Less wondering if I could keep running at the same pace for the next 20 years.

The clarity came after I started exploring.

Not before.

I had conversations.

I asked questions.

I got curious.

I learned about careers I didn’t even know existed.

And honestly? That’s the part I think so many people miss.

A career transition doesn’t usually happen because you wake up one day with the perfect answer.

It happens because you start taking small steps.

One conversation.

One connection.

One application.

One “I wonder what would happen if…” at a time.

If you’re waiting until you have your entire next chapter figured out before you start exploring, you might be waiting longer than you need to.

You don’t need all the answers.

You just need enough curiosity to take the first step.

I’m curious…

What career did you think you’d have five years ago, and what are you doing today? 👇

I’m Leena, a former teacher turned EdTech professional. I share honest conversations about career transitions, EdTech, motherhood, and building a career that fits your life.

CareerGrowth ProfessionalDevelopment TransitionedTeacher WorkLifeBalance FormerTeacher WomenInEdTech

07/23/2026

What happens when you realize you’ve outgrown the classroom?

Tommy’s path shows that wanting more is valid, and that clarity beats guessing every time.

He breaks down how educators can turn transferable skills into a real next step. What part of his transition hit home for you?

Full episode on our channel or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

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 y...
04/15/2026

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

04/03/2026

So many teachers feel guilt about leaving the profession, thinking they *have* to stay for the students. But what if it's just time for something new, something *better* for you? It's not about abandoning ship; it's about recognizing your own needs and leveraging those incredible skills elsewhere. Your background in education? It's a superpower, especially as an advocate! Ready to explore your next chapter? Let's chat about it!

I’ve been having more and more conversations lately with teachers quietly asking:“Is there something else out there for ...
04/02/2026

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 sea...
02/18/2026

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. Sh...
02/11/2026

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 yo...
12/25/2025

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

12/23/2025

Yes, teaching skills are transferable, but they look different in a new role or industry. Don't just say it—show how they transfer. Build projects, plan events, track budgets, and tell your story in a way that hiring managers understand. They have no idea what teachers do!

Address

Houston, TX

Telephone

+15123877079

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Leena Marie Saleh- The Edtech Guru posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Leena Marie Saleh- The Edtech Guru:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category