Insight on My New Chapter
Many people have asked me questions about the transition I recently made at the end of last summer to leave the classroom. I thought I would compile those questions and my responses into a post that will hopefully help someone else who might be in the same place I once was in.
Where did the idea to leave the classroom come from?
I had always planned to teach a few years and move on, I just didn’t really plan on leaving an elementary school to do it. However, after years of looking for opportunities to grow and expand my leadership capacity I came up short. During this same time that I was searching for my next step, I became very anxious and depressed. As you can imagine, a lot was surrounding me like a group of hungry sharks: new standards, changing standards, new leadership, staff changes, district politics, onslaught of required professional development and meetings, lack of time to plan and teach, etc. My dad warned me that once I started looking for other opportunities, I might become very unsatisfied with my current work, especially if my search turned up slim results. That’s exactly what happened. Every closed door created a flood of anxious thoughts to the point that I couldn’t stand my current surroundings and state of mind. Enter depression. I thought depression was just an solitary emotion but it turns out it affected much more than my emotions. My creativity and drive were non-existent. I became very worried about my personal health- spiritual, physical and emotional. I knew I needed to do something fast before I had nothing left to give to my students, and that in my eyes would be unacceptable.
When did you know it was the right time to leave?
Funny you ask that. Let’s rewind a bit. A blogger friend of mine, Dana, has sort of turned into my mentor without even knowing it! We met up a few years ago at a blogger event in Columbia, SC when she was the writer of the 3rd Grade Gridiron blog. ( See also: 3rd Grade Gridiron Facebook Page and Teachers Pay Teachers store .) I had been following her blog due to us both teaching 3rd grade and I enjoyed catching up with her in person. We then collaborated on our own blogger meet up right here in Charlotte, NC. During this second gathering, she had mentioned to me wanting to take some time away from the classroom to regroup. She mentioned some of the same grievances I came to know very well. She took a year off from the classroom and regained her sanity of sorts while making products for her TpT store. I thought that was a fantastic idea! She eventually went back to school the following year to teach first grade. (See also: Primary Gridiron Facebook Page and Blog.) She mentioned how much the break reinvigorated her desire to teach and fall in love with it all over again.
That stuck with me. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to take a year off and sell on TpT because I was a fairly new seller and establishing yourself takes a while. However, it did inspire me to think outside of the box. You see, I had only been looking for full-time work elsewhere. I hadn’t thought about part-time opportunities (like TpT) that could help me make ends meet while gaining some time to seek out my next step. That was the beginning of my journey to where I am currently.
To answer your question, I knew the time was NOW (well really last August), but I had no path in front of me. I would not allow myself to leave a secure job without anything to turn to. Time was running out as the summer was ending and I needed to have a solidified job opportunity present itself. My gut told me to go, and at the 11th hour it all came together, so I left.
Is it all what you thought it was cracked up to be?
Absolutely, yes! Our journeys are so interesting when you can look back and see how each stone lead to the next one, which eventually brought you to where you are currently. Years ago I received an email to my school inbox about helping a local educational non-profit (TEACH Charlotte) over the summer as a teacher coach. I thought “what a great idea!” I was tired of nannying, tutoring and taking on other odd summer jobs. This was tied to my passion and more aligned to what I wanted to be doing on a full-time basis. Although I wanted a break from kids to rejuvenate, coaching teachers would allow me that break! As the seasons changed, I continued to work with TEACH Charlotte in various roles. Each role was providing additional skills for my personal tool belt. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was being groomed for where my journey was leading me. Each role was a badge that made me more qualified for the next role.
Finally, all of my hard work paid off and I was able to take on multiple projects for the parent company The New Teacher Project as my next chapter. Each role I have had in the past gave me the skills to do the projects I am working on now. I am so thankful that I was being prepared before I even knew I needed to be prepared. (Someone is looking out for me!) The perks allow me to smile again and stay on fire for education! I absolutely love the flexibility from an in-home office to an open schedule. Over the holidays, I was still able to work while driving in the car to the beaches of Wilmington and up to the mountains of Blowing Rock, NC. I sat on numerous living room sofas with my lap top and breakfast to get hard to work. Although I work just as hard and probably longer hours, I don’t feel like I am working. That’s when you know you’re in your sweet spot. I love what I am doing and all the pain and suffering waiting for it to arrive was worth it!
What’s in store for you after this?
I don’t quite know. Like the stones behind me, I didn’t know that they were coming at the time. So, I assume my next step will also surprise me when I don’t even expect it. I can imagine it will be in education and potentially with working to help new teachers develop in their classroom effectiveness. I really love doing that! I hope to continue my work with The New Teacher Project, but I know the time I put in now is another badge that will propel me to the next role, wherever that may be.
What advice would you give to teachers who are feeling now what you felt then?
Reflect. You have to be able to identify what you are feeling and locate its source. Without that, you cannot make a healthy decision. Once you know what it is that is making you feel a certain way you can begin to problem solve. For some teachers, changing grade levels is enough to take the stress off (ie. testing). For others, changing schools allows for a sigh of relief (ie. change in leadership). And of course, there will be a small percentage of teachers that need to get out of the profession entirely (ie. job responsibilities/expectations). Like I briefly mentioned earlier, if you are not able to give your best effort which will not be in the best interest of children, you need an immediate change. Many of us teachers can hang on, but we look like hell doing it. It’s not worth it. When you feel your battery dinging for a recharge, listen. Its better to take time to rest and regroup while allowing a peppy, motivated soul to come in and take over, rather than you try to give 100% out of your empty teaching tank. Its like playing in a fast-paced game. You’re running out of breath and energy. You need water and a bench. There is a player on the sidelines fresh and ready to go. Ask to sub out. Allow yourself the break. Let the new energy of the other person to take over. Do it for the team. It’s what’s best for the whole, and the whole refers to all the students in your classroom. You might not need a long break, like my friend Dana, or you might need a longer reprieve. Whatever the time frame, knowing its time to go and acting on it is the best thing you can do.
Feel free to contact me if you are a teacher who is going through a similar situation. I am here to help!
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.