So What Are You Doing Now?
That is the question of the moment in my world right now.
Last week I started to feel a little better and actually got out into the human world. By now, the school year is rolling along without me standing in front of the classroom I’ve inhabited for the last fourteen years and people know I am no longer teaching there. On nearly every occasion that I’ve ventured out somewhere, I ran into someone I know who wanted to confirm the details.
“You’re not teaching there anymore.”
“That’s right; I’m not.”
The conversations varied from person to person, but at some point the conversation ended up at the same question.
“So what are you doing now?”
I was fairly certain that most people did not want to know that for the last two weeks or so I’ve been doing a whole lot of coughing and wheezing and napping and sneezing, so I skipped that part and got straight to the details of my new life.
Private tutoring and instruction for homebound students kind of gets the ball rolling. Assisting students in crafting their college application essays and preparing for their SATs is the next. Other freelance work like academic or legal transcription, editing, etc. caps it off. You can check me out here if you like.
The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. People seem excited about it. I know I am. The conversation always comes around to how doing this allows me to be more available and involved with my own daughter and that is one of the biggest reasons I made this choice. At this point, everyone nods their head and agrees, “That’s huge.”
Being able to volunteer in the school library and chaperone field trips – or whatever else comes along – is something I have not been able to do while teaching in a full-time classroom. And while I have loved classroom teaching for a very long time, the desire to have the freedom to say yes to these opportunities with my daughter became very strong. I like knowing that if she has an early dismissal, I can be there and not worry about whether it coincides with my own school schedule. I like being able to drop her off and pick her up every day. The list is endless.
I worked my first volunteer assignment in Kidzilla’s library last Friday. It was grand fun. I read to the children, helped them find and check out books, and met several other parent volunteers. But the absolute best part was seeing Kidzilla’s face light up when she saw me there – she’s been asking when I can come to her library sine she started Kindergarten. She was so proud and so happy. That little face was worth every minute of what it has taken to arrive at this point.
There are so many other reasons why this was the best choice for all of us – and the list of reasons just serves to reinforce that this is absolutely the best choice for me as an individual, as a wife, and as a mother.
This is going to be a fabulous adventure!
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Sounds like a great move for you and your family.
So far (aside from my monster cold/allergy thing kicking my butt) it’s been absolutely terrific!
How excellent! It does appear you do have the makings of a fabulous adventure! No doubt your daughter will love your new “profession”. Very nice transitioning from teaching to the new stuff – keeping the context of education as you move forward.
It all sounds very rewarding:)
Kidzilla loves it! I am really glad to have a way to remain in the realm of teaching, but not tied to the all-day classroom. Having the freedom to make my own schedule and be available for my daughter is awesome!
Sounds perfect! I have a feeling you’re going to be wildly successful in your new adventure.
It does kind of sound perfect, doesn’t it? Maybe because it’s the right fit. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jean – I certainly hope you are right!
Love your attitude about the change in your life. Even when God put us aside for a rest He is doing something with us in our now. Perspective makes all “now” an adventure with God in it. Good post.
Thanks, Betty, and welcome!
That’s a great way to look at it – there is something to be done with us, even when it seems like we’re not going anywhere. And yes, perspective is a huge factor!
Congratulations Lisa! How exciting. I’m thrilled for you. Off to check out your site.
Thanks, Allie! It is very exciting! 😀
Lisa, I am just delighted with how well the plans you and your husband have made for career changes are falling into place. I know it’s been a long, stressful journey to get to this point, but it certainly looks like it’s going to be worth it! I love what you intend to do, and I think you will be wonderfully successful! I am delighted that it will leave you with more flexibility to be a part of Kidzilla’s day, children grow up so fast, and the time shared is precious. Wishing you the vest best, can’t wait for updates as you go along! I’m glad you’ll still have time for our ongoing WWF challenges too! :-))
No one is as delighted as we are, Josie! Thank you!
It has been long and stressful and that has definitely played out here on the blog. I do believe that every minute of it has been to prepare us for what is all falling into place now and every minute of it has been worth it, no matter how dark it may have been at times along the way. I’m really excited about it.
I will always have time for WWF! Keeps me on my toes!
I am really excited for you and all your new big changes! Now I’m off to check out your site. 🙂
Me, too! I am already loving it.
I am so supportive of your decision to direct your energies out of the classroom. It is joyous to have a little more control over your time. I have a feeling you will be just as busy as you were before, but just differently. Keep us all posted. That “Back to School” transition still leaves me a little sad, but I am busy and productive and happy outside of the classroom. I wonder if you told people you were doing absolutely nothing what they would say. Ha!
Well thanks, Val! That is one of the biggest factors – owning my own time – both for me and for my family. I am certain I will be just as busy but, like you said it will be a different kind of busy. I’m sure updates will show up here often.
Back to School week was a little surreal – I kept feeling like I was supposed to be somewhere. And when I thought of my colleagues and friends sitting in faculty meetings, I remembered I was right where I wanted to be! 😀
I suspect if I said I was doing nothing, many people would say “I’m jealous.” But most probably would follow it up with, “No, seriously” because I don’t do nothing very well for too long a time – I get itchy!
PS. Your website is great!
Thanks! My Hub did most of the physical design with input from me.
That sounds like a great choice! I hope to be around more too when I start my family.
~Lea
Feels like a great choice, too, Lea! When our daughter was born, it never crossed my mind to want to be home and available more. But life changes, people change – so we’re moving forward!
The whole college essay thing is a tremendous service. It is all so competitive now. A friend of mine guided my eldest through the process and it alleviated so much stress for all of us. Great, great idea!
It is a huge process. I hadn’t originally intended to do that. But several people asked me if I planned to and when I said no, they asked why on earth not! So there you go.
I’m glad you are living the life you want. That is the most important thing of all. Whether or not it is in a classroom, online, one on one, or in your child’s library is immaterial. It’s the joy you derive from it that matters most. (feeling a deep moment right not. Hopefully it will pass soon)
True words, Miriam, true words. I love that you’re having a deep moment. It really is about reaching a point where I knew I wasn’t living the life that was best for me and for all of us. I was starting to feel like I was existing, not living. So far, I’m really loving how this is unfolding! I’m excited about the freedom it allows me to make my hours and be available for Kidzilla, and the opportunity to work with kids I know I can help with their regular classroom work. Lots ahead!
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How wonderful that free-lance work is something you can do! I’ve always wanted to work from home, too. Being available if my family needs me yet still able to generate income seems like a dream come true!
Best wishes to you in your endeavors.
Well, if you had asked me about working from home two years ago, I probably would’ve scoffed and said, “Sure, nice for those who can.” Somewhere along the line I started saying to myself, “Why can’t I be one of those who can?” I guess that’s where it began. It does feel sort of like a dream come true and just a little surreal right now. I’m sure it’s not going to be easy because after all, there is no guaranteed income. That’s kind of scary, but it’s incentive to keep working. We are already seeing the positive benefits for all of us, and I definitely believe this was the right choice.