Thursday afternoon I was laid off from my little school.
Enrollment is abysmal, and there aren’t enough students to warrant three classrooms.
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a complete shock. I’ve worked there for 10 years. I’ve moved the little school to four different locations. I’ve taught in a total of seven classrooms. I’ve spent spring breaks and Christmas breaks moving the school. I brought my baby to school when a new hire didn’t work out and they needed a teacher. I led a week-long “field trip” at the local living history museum by day while moving into the “almost” finished new building by night. I’ve spent hours on the phone with parents, talking them off the ledge. I’ve left my own kids in daycare too long to finish “just one more thing” in my classroom, or to enter just one more item into the school fundraiser. I’ve spent summer days shopping with my own money in anticipation of the new school year.
I’ve gone in early and stayed late.
When I think about all of that, I get a little sad.
But when I think about the future? I get excited.
I am EXCITED for BlogHer. I now have a purpose and mission, more so than to just have fun.
I am EXCITED that I will have one more week now with MaM before she starts (gasp) KINDERGARTEN.
I am EXCITED that I will drop MaM off and have a whole day with just Jr. Some time away from his older sister will be good. Some time, just with my boy, will be Fabulous.
I am EXCITED that the world is full of possibilities. I’m not sure where it’s going to lead me, but I have a feeling that it’s going to be good.
WOW, lots of great new opportunities for you to look forward to. I will keep you in my prayers and high on list of “friends to invite for drinks”.
Following God’s plan sometimes means letting go of the comfortable. I’m sure that many good things are on the horizon for you.
THANK YOU, my friend! I really feel that it is time for a real change, so now it’s being set into motion!
I’m excited for you too. It hurts when you put in 150% into your work and it ends poorly. I know. I’ve lived that myself. The world awaits you… you will do great things. I can feel it.
Thank you, my friend! Really focusing on the positive energy!
SUCKS to work so hard and be asked to walk away but you know that not a drop of that was wasted because you were so awesome for so many kids. Think of all the brains you rewired to be smarter and more capable! And you have so many skills in this whole new world of social media – I totally think you’re right that this is an exciting time.
Ok Elizabeth, you have a point 🙂 I didn’t exactly waste the last 10 years of my life, I suppose!! 🙂
Oh, I’m so sorry. But as you’ve already figured out, there will be positives. Hope you enjoy discovering them.
Thanks, Amy!
I love the positive attitude! Change brings great opportunity, so I think congrats is in order.
Thanks, Kate!
You will be awesome no matter what you do, and think of the positive impact you can have in the new phase of your life.
Thanks Lorraine, I appreciate the kind words!! Hope I can join in a #WEW SOON!!
I’m sure this totally knocked the wind out of you, and you’re probably just getting over the shock, but you are handling it with such a great attitude.
I think you’re right though. Things like this can open up some real possibilities that you may have not seen before. I wish you the best of luck going forward.
Thanks, Magi! It will bizarre dropping MaM off and then just driving on…. I did it while on leave with Jr, but that was different. I am amazed at how much has already fallen into place, and it’s only been 5 days!
WHAT THE HECK?????? I’m so out of touch right now!!! I can’t believe this!
I hope it’s good motivation to really get you into something wonderful in the blog biz world…
I’m so sad for your classroom kids – I’m sure you are a WONDERFUL teacher, and I know how you were missed when you were on maternity leaves… You’ve ridden the WILD roller coaster there for several years – Kudos for you to hanging in as long as were able – I know you made a tremendous impact in many children’s lives – Not to mention your fellow teachers/administrators (wackos aside) !!!
So – Now i”m the only bad excuse if we can’t schedule a playdate now, with your newly-freed-up schedule, right???
And wouldn’t this pretty much guarantee an offer on the house right now???? Timing is everything, right? Tempting fate…
Oh, dear, I hope that my comment didn’t sound like I was adding a worry to you. . . I really do think that the world is yours because of all you’ve done and all you can do. I’m totally in your corner. 🙂