I'm doing 30 things
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.
hnteacher's Life List
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1. leave my current job
4 entries2 people -
2. find my passion
1 entry . 2 cheers1,647 people -
3. have more fun
1 entry1,165 people -
4. lighten up
1 entry . 1 cheer120 people -
5. be more courageous
2 entries63 people -
6. stay present
6 entries . 2 cheers9 people -
7. exercise regularly
7 entries . 1 cheer10,191 people -
8. Fix my teeth
2 entries . 1 cheer494 people -
9. be proactive about my finances
2 entries2 people -
10. have more sex
2 cheers988 people -
11. read every book I own
3 entries . 4 cheers2,072 people -
12. drink more water
18,383 people -
13. live headache free
1 entry1 person -
14. sculpt
56 people -
15. save for retirement
227 people -
16. Stop collecting art supplies and start making art
1 cheer7 people -
17. remember my dreams
376 people -
18. support local businesses
17 people -
19. Buy a printer
12 people -
20. play tennis
448 people -
21. Get married
17,864 people -
22. Travel to Australia
1 cheer692 people -
23. Learn to cook
1 entry7,825 people -
24. relax
1,845 people -
25. stretch
103 people -
26. decorate my apartment
267 people -
27. organize my files
57 people -
28. own property
86 people -
29. go on a road trip with no predetermined destination
18,102 people -
30. Open an independent bookstore
119 people
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!
