Never in my life have I felt stuck. And, when, for just a
moment, i have felt stagnant, my body and mind connected and
concocted an immediate plan of action. Unhappy in a
relationship (after repeated attempts to make it work) - move
on. Not satisfied at the work place - get on the computer,
fix my resume, call connections and get a new job. New
York too stressful - move to California. Need a career change
- move back to New York and become a teacher. Aaaahhhh, and
that's where my descent into the hole began.
Initially, it felt so right. Teaching was exactly where I
needed to be, where I was supposed to be. I had thought about
it for so many years but placed it on the back burner.
And, finally I made that jump. I couldn't have been
happier and more proud of myself. I thought of it as a
stepping stone to something greater in the field of
education. I pictured myself being in the classroom for 3-5
years, maximum. Yet here I am, in my 7th year struggling with
the same frustrations, stresses, and brief moments of
happiness. Only, every year those moments of happiness get
shorter and shorter. So why am I still here teaching?
Why haven't my body and mind converged to plan the next course
of action? My only thought is because I am actually
stuck.
I have a child now and teaching provides me the opportunity to
spend time with her that many of my 9-5'er friends are unable
to do. That time is invaluable and precious. Not to
mention that at this point in my career I'm making a decent
salary and have two education related master's degrees.
It pains me to think that I could end up like one of those
disgruntled "veteran" teachers who won't stop working
because I want my pension to grow.
I'm trying hard to believe that there is something greater out
there for me and that this time around I haven't worked hard
enough to find it. If not, then the future seems gloomy and I
feel stuck.
User post: Seven years and stuck?
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Comments 1-5 of 5
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Posted by Thu Oct 8, 2009 10:10am PDT
Report AbuseThis is probably going to sound harsh, but I'm going to say it anyway...
You mention all of these perks of your job: time to spend witb your daughter, and a decent salary. That's much better than some people have. Not to mention that you actually HAVE a job.
Maybe it's just time for you to settle down and stay where you are.
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Posted by Thu Oct 8, 2009 10:33am PDT
Report AbusePerhaps the reason you feel stuck is that you are not complying with your own self-identified time line for moving on. Step back from the 'should/could' messages you seem to be sending to yourself and think outside the box. Maybe it's not a question of you teaching or not teaching (but maybe that actually is where you are best suited); maybe it's time to consider how to synthesize your experiences in education and apply them in another context..if you are in K-12, consider teaching at the community college or 4 year level. Or, teaching = training.
Or consider that the lesson you are learning is patience and the need to develop the skills that focus on improving the quality of what you currently do. You seem to 'fix' things by leaving. Sometimes, that is exactly what should happen; other times it's running away. Only you can determine which it is. Either way, turn off the clock and look inward to what you need and why you feel that you are stuck.
Maybe you aren't stuck. Maybe you've landed...and just don't realize it yet!
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Posted by Thu Oct 8, 2009 1:00pm PDT
Report AbuseWell I think as you describe it the problem and the cause of this stagnation is your job. I mean that's all I am getting from your post, so I suggest you look for something that will fulfill you (teaching is obviously not doing that for you, and that's fine) Can you think of anything else you would rather be doing? Is it even in education (again, its ok if it isnt, the important thing is that you KNOW this, if its the case. Can you think of anyone who can help you get where you are trying to go? Is there anything at all you can do to move toward that direction? These are the kind of questions I would be asking myself. Of course your daughter and spending time with her are both important, but at the expense of your happiness? See what you can come up with and hopefully it can help you will figure out what exactly it is that you want.
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Posted by Thu Oct 8, 2009 1:07pm PDT
Report AbuseI meant
hopefully it can help you figure out what exactly it is that you want.
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Posted by Sat Oct 10, 2009 2:46am PDT
Report AbuseTeacher/Mom, 2 Glorious words. Think of all of the children that you are teaching as your children and also think about the nurturing / teaching process that you will experience with your own child.
I am retired and can only offer my life experiences to you.
Work with enthusiasm and make a positive impression on your students.
When the moment comes that you retire, then and only then will you come to realize that you really did have a life altering affect on the children that you taught.
Someday, some of your former students from 20 to 30+ years ago will see you and stop to say "Thank You" for making such an impression in their lives that your teachings actually pointed them into their careers.
Then and only then will you be paid back one of life's greatest rewards, the personal bonus for a job well done. Yes, you changed lives and your teaching legacy will live on!
I'm sure that you personally can remember a teacher or two that made the same impression in your life.
Oh Proud Teacher/Mom, have patience, your rewards are coming when you least expect them.
Comments 1-5 of 5
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