Maybe it’s because on my way to becoming an indie artist, I first stopped off to get my Master’s of Education in Teaching followed by a 3 1/2 year stint as an elementary school teacher and with all of the strife I keep hearing about, this topic has been on my heart lately.
Now, please, this post is not to 'bring down' teachers public or private at all. No way! My husband is a public school teacher, my sister is a public school teacher (at an ALC no less), my best friends are public school teachers, etc. etc. For those who are called to this profession, I have nothing but admiration, appreciation and respect for the life-changing work you do so tirelessly.
No this post is meant for the teacher who wants OUT. For you, dear so miserable teacher, searching for another career for oh, so many reasons...
Dear Teacher,
I know how you cry at the start of each new school year. I know how pained you are at work, though you love the kids you work with and you love the growth you see in your students. I know that feeling of something just not being “right” about being there in that classroom, and you can’t quite put your finger on it, and it makes you feel guilty that some days (most days) you don’t really want to even be there, but honestly, you don’t know what else you can do and you very much need that paycheck. And
one of the reasons you stay is the connection you make with your students; powerful, meaningful times
when you connect over some piece of literature, or a personal story, or
those teachable moments that aren’t in your plan book those times
afterschool that you log, unnoticed by anyone, and certainly unpaid,
when you see the impact that you are having on the lives of all of
these children, these students, these people.
And yet, the angst is there and maybe you don’t know why. I didn’t know why for a long time too. And other people don’t understand it...and you think to yourself that you have a degree and that you must use that degree in the classroom as you are, and that you should be able to just live with the disrespect you face everyday, the upset parents who sometimes show up at your door unannounced, the low pay, the unsupportive administration, the ridiculousness of the NCLB.
But there is more. You sense that work feels too much like work, and that your work life should be filled with more joy, more passion. There is something inside of you that longs to be doing work that fills you with deep joy and doesn’t leave you drained at the end of the day. And maybe you feel like there must be something not just purposeful, but meaningful out there for you to do, but you just don’t know what, or how, but you could do a great job at it and fully enjoy yourself if only you knew what it was you were looking for.
I wish I could tell you “here it is!”, but this is a road you must travel and find your own answers, and you will find them. All I can say is that there is life, a very, very good life after teaching, if you are indeed brave enough to leave the profession to seek out a more meaningful, joyful life for yourself. It will take a lot of soul searching, lots of trial and error, lots of perceived failures along the way. But what I would say to you, if you were my friend, my sister, my love, is that you must take the risk to live a joyful and fulfilling life. Plan your escape. Journal to help you reflect on your life, what is important to you, what really matters. Go see a counselor or life coach and seek out your life today, don’t waste another moment wallowing in a place you know you don’t belong. Teaching (as in all other professions) is the right and noble vocation for those who are called...but if you sense that you are not called, then there is something else calling you, and other meaningful work for you to attend.
Read Parker Palmer, “Let Your Life Speak: On Vocation and Calling”. If you sense you are an artist type, by all means read “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. If indeed you know you are an artist cloaked as a teacher who really wants to be an artist, email me! I have lots of resources to point you on your way! Did you know there is a HUGE indie tribe that is thriving and to which you belong?
And in the end know this. You are NOT alone. And you will find your life. The reason for all of this angst and misery is because God is calling you to Himself, to the life you were meant to live; the stirrings have begun. Take heart!
Love,
Jan
