Today, is my official last day of employment with the school board.
Technically… my last day of work was back in January. But this last school year has been frustrating. I took a leave to gain some mental clarity and figure life out.
Well, I’ve figured something out…
I Figured, It’s Time for a New Adventure.
But let me tell you, it was not an easy decision.
In fact, I’m still fighting an internal battle over it….
I am a creature of comfort.
I originally began my journey in education because I was forced to pick something.
I was 19 with no direction. No plans. No ideas.
I needed something for the time being.
Until I figured out my next move.
It took me 7 years too long to finally make a move…
Education is Not Something I am Particularly Passionate About…
Well.. not the kind of education our schools teach.
I love the kids.
I love helping them grow.
I love having the opportunity to mould and shape little brains.
But I don’t care for academics….
I don’t care for the way our school systems force education onto kids.
I don’t care for the way that they teach kids what to think instead of how to think.
Instead of sparking curiosity…
Despite all of this, it was hard to finally make the change.
To leave my kiddos and school community behind.
But today, on my last official day of employment, I found some reassurance in the final chapter of a book I was reading.
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant.
“What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?”
Adam says, this question is the worst possible question we can ask our kids.
This question promotes a FIXED MINDSET.
It’s underlying message is that you’re a failure if you quit at something…
… Even if that something is something you hate…
I grew up in a world where adults asked this question continuously…
I can see the flaws in myself – the struggle to quit education – because this question was imposed on me as a child.
I see this question imposed on our students everyday in school…
I do not want to contribute to more fixed mindsets..
I want to break free from that cycle.
I want to be an example of a growth mindset.
It’s Time to Re-Think my Life.
My career.
Time to move on.
“The simplest way to rethink our options is to question what we do daily…”
Think Again – Adam Grant
In January, I began re-thinking my days.
I re-thought my life as an Educator…
I don’t want to have to put academics above mental health or personal growth.
I don’t want to waste anymore time in a broken system.
A system that I don’t care for. A system that doesn’t promote change.
I DO want to make a difference.
I tried my hardest to make a difference within the system.
But I could only do so much.
I realize now, I have an opportunity to make more of a difference, to help more kids, more families, more educators, by getting OUT of the system.
I Don’t Regret Anything.
I am grateful for all I learned. For my experiences.
But now, I’m ready for more.
Bring on the next adventure.
Remember: It takes strength to quit. To quit things that aren’t suited for us.
As long as you live & speak your truth, you can’t go wrong…
With love,
Miss T.
Mindful Miss T. 