May 21, 2018

Resigning from my teaching job

As we head into the last week of school...


Turning in a letter of resignation and knowing I wouldn't be teaching again for at least a few years was a very tough thing to do. I never intended, honestly, on teaching this long. When I met Scott and I knew we'd be moving around every few years, I never expected to teach much. And when I got a job in Alaska, I really assumed those three years would be it, just because of logistics. I NEVER expected to get a job in Missouri. And then I worked really hard to find a good fit in Colorado since we would be here for at least three years. I ended up working four years for the same district here, but in two different schools. But now, until I can find a position that suits me as much as I suit it, I'll be done for awhile. Baby on the way or no baby on the way, I would've taken 2018-2019 off from teaching anyway. We only have half a school year in Wyoming until it's time to move again. At most, I would've tried to substitute a bit here or there.

If I were being honest, this article that I read long ago really sums up many snippets of reasons why I'm not going to be teaching in the near future. I won't say never again will I teach, but this article is as close as it gets to a basic explanation. Plus, I had such a GOOD group of kids and parents this year. I wouldn't risk another terrible year by attempting to stay on. As soon as I realized how lucky I got with my class, I knew it'd have to be my last year. It goes back to that's how you know it's time to go. I knew it was time to go. (This article explains that really well.)

My time with my current district has been fraught with turbulence, only because when I look at each school year, Scott has been gone for almost all of the 4 years. He left in February my first year and came back in July. He left for October/November my second year, and again in February and came back in November. He was gone from August-November the third year and then left again for all of May. And now, this fourth year, he's been in Wyoming and I've been on my own during the week. He's never been around during the month of May. EVER. It sounds really selfish on my part, but these do not for pleasant memories make. If it were not for my two teacher friends, Kim and Kylee, I legitimately don't know how I would've gotten through these last four years.

I decided last summer that this would be it for me and mentioned it on the blog a few times but it's never solidified until that letter is handed in. I knew it was coming but it's still sad doing things for "the last time". Christmas art projects, Valentine Day parties, teaching favorite units, etc. However, I could tell that the universe was slowly weaning me off of my school routine, as I missed my last Valentine's Day party because my car broke down. I missed the end of last school year because I was out having surgery. I don't properly feel I can give it my "all" because I'm physically kind of limited being in the third trimester right now.

Leading up to this resignation, I told the dogs all the time "in a few months, I'll be your full-time dog-mom and we'll go for walks all day long". Scott was relieved to know that I'd be in Wyoming with him after this spring just because Scout and Jett are a lot of work and he's not used to that, either. This last year has been a lesson in upheaval and transition for both of us (er, all of us).

Truthfully, I am so excited to move into what's next. I think I always knew that, with our military lifestyle, that I would have to quit working in order to raise a child. My salary would barely cover the cost of daycare in the parts of the country where we've lived, and the time commitment to teaching all day and bringing work home would cause a lot of unnecessary stress. And, with Scott's unpredictable schedule, the dogs and this baby will need a constant. As it looks now, we'll be moving about three times in the next five years. It's really hard to be that constant when you have a schedule that doesn't mesh with army life. I only know of one or two other military wives who work full-time and raise kids.

Eventually, I will work again because I love it, or I will branch out into an area of education that's maybe not so full-time. For now, I'm just happy to move onto the next chapter and I'm so grateful that I'm able to not have to work next year. I've taught for 10 years in a row, 8 years full-time, and that's good enough for now.

10 comments:

  1. Congrats on moving into a new chapter! The "ends" and the "lasts" of things always bring a lot of different sorts of feelings--both sadness and happiness. I'm glad you had a great class for your last year (for now)! Angel just turned in his resignation at his current job, so we've got six weeks left with this till his new job and new contract start and it's a weird feeling to be saying goodbye to the schedule and habits of this lifestyle and not really know yet what the next lifestyle will look like...although I know after a while it'll feel "normal."

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  2. Yay for the next endeavors! It's hard, trust me I know, but the door is never fully closed and you never know what might happen. I didn't realize Wyoming wasn't for awhile, do you know where you're headed after that?

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  3. Congrats on your next chapter! Your dogs are going to love having you home!

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  4. This is so well written! I'm so happy for you and your growing family. I'm in my seventh year of teaching and feel all the same things except we're not a military family. I give you so much credit for teaching as long as you did, but now it's time for you and your family. I'm so excited to follow along on your journey :)

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  5. Here is to a new chapter for you and your family! <3

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  6. Resigning must have been tough, even though you had very good reasons to. Not that you need my approval of course! You've got lots of fun stuff coming up, cheers to all of that. I hope your last week goes smoothly.

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  7. I wanted to read the article you referenced before commenting. You've been in education long enough to see the changes that's happened within the last decade. I'm two decades in and the world of education is NOTHING like it looked like when I was in school or how it was during my public school practicum rotations or even when I first started working. I can't fathom what it will look like when I retire. As I read through the reasons in the article, I could relate with every one. My job is different than that of classroom teachers, but I still get it. Education is a tough field to work in.

    Change is tough, but often necessary. You have very valid reasons to resign and to start this new chapter of your life. I'm not a mother, but I know enough to know that you can't put a dollar amount on staying home with your child. These will be years that, once gone, you can never get back. Teaching will always be there if you want to return. Your baby will only be young once.

    Good luck with the move and the transition. :)

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  8. Congratulations on your resignation! Scott actually just said to me on Wednesday that he wishes I could be a stay at home mom. (I was shocked by this because he's always been a "you will work" kind of guy. haha) To be honest, I would love and hate that all at the same time. Although, in my current situation, I wouldn't mind a year off if I'm not able to get a job in another district. But we like spending money too much for that. hahaha

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  9. I'm sure your decision to leave teaching did not come easily. Maybe someday you'll go back. Maybe someday you won't. But congrats on the new chapter of life!

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