The Top Five Reasons Why I Left My Teaching Job

I began writing this post in my head for a few months, never thinking I would actually type it out and share. But I think it’s only fair to give you all a life update, and who knows – maybe some inspiration? I can’t begin without thanking you all from the bottom of my heart first. Your support, messages, clicking on like, and following along with me, have given me the power and confidence to pursue this next chapter. Now let’s get started…

 

5.THE CONS

Just like any job, there are pros and cons to teaching. I am not going to get into the cons – there’s enough articles, rants, and discussions on that topic to go around. But I will say that I wanted to end on a high note (just like some of our favorite tv series and movies should do), before my light bulb got too burnt out.

 

4. COMMUTE

I taught in a different state than I live. It took me 40 minutes each way on a good day, which isn’t terrible, but that time adds up and was starting to get to me. Bad weather, traffic, or an accident put me in panic mode (just ask our amazing school secretary who always calmed me down). More importantly – that was 40 minutes longer to pick up my kids or get to them if they were sick.

 

3. TIME FOR A NEW CHAPTER

This one is a little heavy, but as I have gotten older, I’ve experienced first-hand how precious life is. Tomorrow is not promised and this thought has pushed me more and more to take risks, step outside of my comfort zone, and pursue other passions. I loooved being a teacher. In fact I feel I was born to do it! But I’ve also always loved fashion. Life is short, so why not explore a combination of both – fashion and helping others? Starting this blog was a HUGE step for me. I am not a confident or overly outgoing person, but the more I’ve put myself out there, the more I’ve grown. I was not ready for such a risk in my 20s, but now in my 30s I’m able to let go more of what other people think (I wish fully). Luckily I have full support from my husband as well as my sister, who helps run the blog, to completely immerse myself in this next chapter.

 

2. MY FAMILY

As my fellow teachers know, there is not a whole lot of flexibility in our schedule. Yes, yes, I know-we get summers off (trust me, they are much needed), which is an absolutely amazing perk to the profession, but that doesn’t help during the school year. My oldest son started Kindergarten last year and I feel like I missed it all. Big shout out to TJ for stepping in when he could. I couldn’t get him on the bus, attend special events, volunteer at school, or be there for him after school (he took the bus to an after care program). He began noticing and asking me when I was retiring about every single day. The mom guilt really set in. Plus, my little one is growing up so fast, I just want to soak up every moment with him that I can. And I will embarrassingly admit that I wasn’t always a nice person to them-tired, stressed, no more patience left by the end of the day. Big hugs and kudos to all the working parents out there!

 

1. ME!!

Ok truth be told, I at first had my family as the number one reason, but it hit me that without focusing on me first, I couldn’t focus on them. Teaching is a 24/7 job. It’s both physically and emotionally demanding. It came home with me each and every day. I’m the kind of person who puts pressure on myself to do the best I can at everything, and let’s just say I didn’t feel like I was doing good at anything many days last year. Balance-what’s that? Something had to come off my plate to be a better mom, a better wife, and a better person.

 

**Disclaimer-I taught for 15 years and loved the school district I worked for all of that time. I made some of my closest friends there and will always carry a piece of each student/family I’ve had with me. All of the administration, staff, and families were fully supportive and encouraging of the very hard decision I made, and I’m forever thankful for that. Will I ever teach again? Never say never. Once a teacher, always a teacher!