hnteacher

So, there is an opportunity in my school district to facilitate long distance online learning for all three high schools. It’s posted and open now, which means I would have to leave in the middle of the school year. My running mechanism says, yes, or is it saying, no. Hmmmmm….I want out of this job, but I know I’ll feel guilty and sheepish leaving mid-year. What do you say to the students and parents? When you leave a teaching job, at least for me, it’s not just a job left. It’s really a community. I’ll probably just finish out the year where I am and hope a job like that will post again. Not even sure I want that job, just want out of where I am. Also want to leave the right way, not on the run without looking back. That’s how pursuing this job would feel, I think.

I plan to make sure I have the best benefits package for this year. I plan to talk to someone about which year I actually am in teaching, so I can make an educated decision regarding my retirement. I have to have 10 years to be vested. I’m not sure, now, if this is my 9th or if the subbing I did the first year brings me to my 10th. It would make life easier if this were the 10th year. If not, I need to find out how much I could roll over if I’m not vested (I think that’s the word :) ). Also, if I can stay in education, I can keep my current salary (most likely). And that would rock!

I’m paying more attention to what I like about my job. I saw an exercise in “O” magazine used by women looking to find joy at work. They used the sentence starter: I feel strong when…

I feel strong when I advocate for my colleagues as the union rep. I feel strong when I organize ideas from group collaboration and facilitate the process. I feel strong when I create useful documents and presentations. I feel strong when I am making a contribution to a goal. I feel strong when the lessons I create clearly link one skill to the next. I feel strong when I give useful advice to new teachers or other colleagues asking for help. I feel strong when I articulate my ideas and questions for the group.

I completed an application to be a mentor for our school district; I’m participating in a school visit as a representative for our staff this month, and I am looking into getting a student teacher. I think all of this will help me work toward the goal of changing up my job, but still work somewhere in education. I believe in education passionately. I think everyone needs to be literate, for themselves and for the future of our society. I have realized, though, that I have done all I can or want to do in the classroom. There are others who have more drive and passion to be there. They can take my place, and I’ll support them!