This was my mother’s comment in an email after I’d sent yet more photos of good times spent with my husband. I’m between jobs right now. I start back to teaching in August. My mother followed up her comment with: “You won’t want to go back to work.”
In a way, she’s right. It has been a wonderful, renewing year and I’m ambivalent about returning to the classroom. A little over a year ago the thought of staying in public education became unbearable and my husband said to me, “Why don’t you resign and take some time to figure things out.” This suggestion, this offer, has been the best gift I’ve ever received.
During my “gap year” I’ve had a chance to think and to grow — a little. Looking back, it took a big a chunk of the year to feel relieved of my “PTSD,” that stands for: “post teaching stress disorder.” We’ve joked about this “disorder” this year, but it’s real — ask any teacher you know. I traveled at every opportunity this year and this helped. I needed to literally step outside the envelope I felt stuck in. The world is an incredible place and as my husband reminds me, “Our lives don’t suck.”
Now the classroom is calling me back. This time I will teach at the college level. Hopefully a refreshing change from teaching at the elementary level in public school.
The Pine Creek Rail Trail is a favorite trail of ours to bike.
These photos were taken on July 2, 2017.
