Choosing to Leave Teaching
Choosing to leave teaching made sense rationally- I was moving to a new city, my contract was expiring, and remote work was becoming more and more a possibility. But emotionally, my heart will always feel very much like a teacher.
After ten years of identifying as an educator, I can’t shed that mantle overnight. In fact, I keep a cork board of thank you notes from former students on the wall in my home office.
Teaching is a calling, not a job, but the pandemic revealed that my previous life was unsustainable. Once I realized I could no longer give my all to that greater purpose, I knew it was time to go.
As an instructional designer, I’m not asked to attend evening or weekend events, write college reference letters over holidays, grade papers during my free time, supervise kiddos during lunch on cafeteria duty.
Transitioning from academia to the corporate world was the right choice for me. I’m still a learning professional, and that spark of excitement at my job has been rekindled.
Recently, for the first time EVER, I even forgot to eat lunch because I was so ‘in the zone’ doing my work. That right there is a sign I’m on the right path, because this girl does not miss a meal.
