Stay Calm and Accept Life Changes

Okay, here I go again...

I never wanted to start a blog but I am thinking about using it with my class next year so I figure I better work out the kinks now. When I wrote my first blog ever (days ago) I had it in my mind that I would sit down and blog every night like clockwork. I had great intentions but then of course life happened, as it has a tendency to do so my bad on the silent treatment.

Anyway, I didn't reread my first blog (I probably should have) but I do recall writing a little about quitting my job that weekend so I'll catch you up with that...

In the 6th grade I met a deaf girl (there is a little story that goes with that but maybe later) who led me to Sign Language which I absolutely fell in love with and decided I wanted to teach deaf students. Yep, at 10 years old I knew exactly what I wanted to do. There are probably 30 year old folks running around now who have no idea what they want to do with their life, but I did. So I went after it wholeheartedly earning a BA and MEd in Deaf Education. I was (am) completely proud of myself for all of my accomplishments. I taught in deaf classrooms for 12 years, constantly learning and changing the face of deaf education by using technology to enhance my classroom. During this time I did everything I could think of to improve my school chairing committees, attending conferences and training so I could then become certified to train other teachers. I established student groups and created relationships of trust and respect with my students as well as their parents. Needless to say, I was on the "ladder of success", or so I thought. Lots of things happened which helped me realize I was never going to be as successful as I hoped to be while at that school (at this time). So after 12 years doing the one thing I love, I quit and found a job teaching in another (related) area.

Now, some of you might be thinking "okay, and?". But this is a HUGE deal for me. Although I know in my heart of hearts I have made the right decision for my future I am TERRIFIED. There are days when I wake up nauseous and in a panic just thinking about all the things I have to figure out; retirement funds, 401K, leave time, how to survive with less income, etc. I've probably had at least one panic attack everyday for the past week or so. I keep replaying situations and asking myself "was there any way to avoid this?". What could I have done to avoid feeling the need to quit and go somewhere else? Then I realize that was the main problem; I KEPT doing and doing and never getting recognized, no high fives, no promotions, nada. If I was content staying in the classroom until I retired I would still be at that school because that is as far as I would have been able to go. I want more. I want to help teachers reach each of their students, I want to make decisions for a school as a principal (one day), I want to make decisions about a school system or district (much later in my career). As much as I LOVE teaching those are all things I can't do if I'm still in a classroom.

I  really hope blogging will help me to stay calm and accept life changes. I'm sure I'm better for those changes and I will soon be making my way up that "ladder of success" (for real this time).

So all in all I'd say yep, change is good! For now, anyways...

Yeah I'm Blogging Now, So There's That

I saw an awesome blog today that made me want to give it a try. It was a teacher's blog and her classroom made me super jealous so I thought "I'll show HER!" and started this blog. 

Anyway, a lot has happened in my life recently; my son lost another tooth and The Tooth Fairy had to dig deep to come up with some change, I showed my co-workers (once and for all) I DO TO know how to twerk, I had a Frozen sing along night (we all know Olaf's "In Summer" should have been the hit single), I threw down on the grill (Bobby Flay style), I got accepted to grad school (again), and I quit my job of 9 years well the resignation letter isn't officially in yet but I'm getting to it (probably). 

All in all, I'd say it was a great holiday weekend! I'm really hoping this blogging thing is extremely therapeutic because I'm gonna need it. And if you're reading this you probably will too...