Next week I'm going to contact the retirement board and look into the feasability of retiring. For the last three years I've had the luxury of teaching because I wanted to not because I had to. As long as it was still fun, interesting, and I looked forward to walking to work each day I'd stay with it.
Last semester wasn't fun, it wasn't interesting and I dreaded the short walk to my classroom on certain days. If I have to I can finish the year out, but if I'm that burned out it wouldn't be good for the students (as my Dad said when he decided to retire, "They have to be here, I don't), and not good for my health either.
The nice lady who used to teach next to me for many years and this last semester was across the walk from my portable resigned and will substitute. Another fine lady, special ed teacher, will be leaving for another school within a few weeks of the coming semester.
When I was younger a good friend of mine said about administrators that we (teachers) are permanent and they are temporary. If I was still a young teacher and needed the job I'd stick it out until La Madronna goes on to greener pastures, but I don't have to put up with this nonsense anymore and I won't.
I might find a job at a private or church school next year. The upcoming legislative session is going to close the double dipping law that would let me teach and collect retirement so I won't be going back into an APS classroom. I'm a teacher not a babysitter so I will not substitute, been there done that, not interested right now.
About Me
- P M Prescott
- Family and Friends is my everyday journal. Captain's Log is where I pontificate on religion and politics.
6 comments:
As you will have guessed from the content of what I write on my own site, I am not currently enjoying my job and, worse still, dread going in on certain days. This worries me, not least because I am about thirty years away from retirement.
ps: Enter the competition on my blog for the chance to win $5,000.
I feel for you. Normally someone at your age has youthful exuberance to see them through, but it seems to become quenched rather quickly in today's climate.
If you can pull off retirement Patrick - do it and don't look back ever.
PM: I know you will give this careful consideration. A buddy of mine is 40 and a high school teacher. He lamented to me, "Hell half of the time we can't teach" (prevented from doing their jobs by bureaucracy). You are still young. I wish there was an academy where your experience would be respected. But above all, your health comes first.
One Fly, still waiting on the numbers, but to a certain extent since I've made the decision to do this a load has been lifted.
Michael, your friend is right there's not much subject matter being taught anymore it's all making the students jump through hoops on testing and we can't do our true jobs anymore.
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