Doing Something for Myself {& My Family}

05/2015 Our trip to Delaware included a pit stop at King's Homemade Ice Cream in Lewes. Photo credit: JennyPennyAho   

Experienced educators have told me that I need to "give it a year, the first year of teaching is the hardest, but it gets better."  Well, I gave it two semesters (almost) and I have decided full-time teaching is not in the cards for me right now.  I submitted my resignation in late March.  I will finish up the semester and a couple of projects I've been assigned and then I will leave my position at the college at the end of May.

You are probably wondering, why I am leaving after only teaching two semesters.  Well, during spring break in March, Seth and I talked until we were blue in the face and we decided it is best that I leave my full-time position and focus on our family.  I have given 110% and do a fantastic job with developing curriculum and teaching, but I care too much (is that possible?).  My answer, yes it is because it stressed me out!  I'm already a high-strung person and giving my all and then some, really took it's toll on me.

Some things  I discovered since last August:

• Educators work more than just the 40 hours a week.  It includes nights and weekends and late night emails and grading.  I knew this, but not being able to "shut it off" and thinking about it the moment I woke up everyday was annoying & stressful.
• Although, I care for my students and want them to be successful, there is only so much I can do to push them along.  It's exhausting dealing with students who don't want to put forth the effort.  I guess I'm a nerd, because I always did my best in school. In fact, I wish I would have cared a bit more in high school, so I could've aced AP Bio, instead of skimming by.
• I miss clinical nursing A LOT! I never realized I would miss being with patients and just being a nurse. 
• We really want to start a family and is just hasn't happened yet. We plan to focus on family right now and see where it takes us.
• Seth and I are taking our religion seriously and we go to church every Sunday.  In fact, we were asked by our Pastor after our vow renewal if we would join a small group that meets once a week.  In January, we joined the small group and we truly enjoy learning more about ourselves, God and our new friends.

Reaching this decision was difficult, but I had a tremendous weight lift off my shoulders after I turned in my resignation.  Teaching is fun and I hope to return as adjunct in the future.  After I leave in May, Seth and I plan to travel and spend time with family and friends.

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