Reflections from a Teacher in Exile

Okay, maybe exile is too strong a word. But it does feel like that a little sometimes. Mostly because along with being on hiatus from teaching, I am also living in a brand new to me part of the country. And it’s because we moved that I was sort of forced out of the classroom.

Teaching is a calling. We all know that. Nobody does this for the money. I think it might even be genetic. When I graduated from undergrad, I had no idea what to do next. I didn’t pick teaching on a whim, however. In fact, I tried teaching in a classroom as an undergrad and didn’t like it. I preferred the more carefree silliness of camp and youth group.

But then I grew a little older, with a little more separation between me and K-12. And then I seriously considered how I’d spent my summers counseling at summer camp and my Wednesday nights leading small groups for years and my springs coaching high school girls lacrosse. So I entered a Masters program and totally loved it.

And then I realized that I am a fourth generation teacher on my mom’s side. See, it’s genetic.

Since then I’d spent every school year in a classroom, either one of my own, or subbing. Until the Fall of 2018. When I was whisked across the country to a new city and state and community because my husband got a new job (Which is awesome, by the way. No regrets there).

But. Logistically it makes no sense to work. I no longer have family nearby to pick up the kids or be my backup. I am the flex parent. Sometimes I’m bitter about that, but mostly I’m okay.

Financially it makes no sense to sub. School districts here have a terrible system for recruiting subs and pay nowhere near enough to cover childcare for my preschooler and toddler. Such a shame. Subbing is a great flexible job. They’re missing out on a big swath of potentially available subs–moms who want to work but need to stay flexible. But the cost of living here is far less than the place we left, and although I feel personal pressure to earn a paycheck to feel useful, we actually don’t need me to work. I’m learning to lean into that gift.

Basically, as I enter this new year and new decade, I’ve been reflecting a lot on this season. And overall, I’m really happy. Being sort of forced to stay home with my children while they’re this young has been a real blessing. It’s been good for them for sure. And I have grown a lot. I’m more confident and I feel like I can do most anything now. I have learned how to bring my kiddos along with me for pretty much everything and we just make it work.

Living far from home has been tricky, but overcome-able. We have been well cared for here. We have a great church community. I’m volunteering in the middle school youth group again. I have learned to be observant with my eyes and ears and found all the kid-friendly things to do. I’ve made friends. My toddler is in a great daycare and my daughter is also in a wonderful school community. I’m proud of myself for listening to my intuition and discerning good places for them to be. This is what our village looks like right now.

My biggest revelations: I’m embracing this season. I’m all in. But teaching and school are in my blood. I won’t be gone forever.