The times, they are a changin'

So.

I have decided to leave teaching. While in CA for E&J's wedding, I had time to think about the quality of my life and the challenges (or lack there of) of my work.

I want my work to be soul-sustaining, and teaching is no longer doing this for me. There is no challenge; the challenge comes from painstakingly breaking down the writing process and teaching them how to be college students; there is no intellectual challenge, and I am starting to burn out.

So, I am leaving. This is a "break up" that I have mentioned and considered for over two years (as you know). If I don't do it now, I may not ever. NSCC only offered me 1 class for Spring and then for Summer session. Now, I was only one of three part-timers who were even offered a class (most folks weren't offered anything), but I cannot live on one class. If I am only going to make a pittance, I have decided that at least I should do work that will allow me the head space to switch careers.

Where do I go from here?

I am finishing the terms at both NSCC and Cornish, but after that, I don't mind taking an everyday job just to pay the bills while I build up my resume and hunt for public affairs or development work. In the meantime, I want to take a grant writing course and build up my public affairs volunteer time at Planned Parenthood. This is a "worse case" scenario, by the way.

The best case scenario is that one of the three jobs I have applied for at both Gates and PP, and I will continue to apply for similar jobs. Best case, again, is that one of these come through.

This change of heart and path will, again, allow me the head space to re-group and not have every ounce of free time devoted to grading, prepping, and agonizing about details, about which my students could give a shit. With my new-found free time (MY time), I can learn to play my lovely banjo, write, vacation with K, go hiking, and cultivate my budding friendships. Weekends will be (gasp!!) mine again.

I'm ready for change, and I am both relieved and excited about the risks, dangers, and potential exponential growth that goes along with my decision.