Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Retired English Teacher Is Going To Work

Once the Christmas decorations were down and put away, I looked at the winter months spreading before me and wondered just how I would get through those long days when my hubby was off to work.  Oh, I had plenty to do.  The desk is covered with family papers, old letters,  and photos needing to be sorted, filed, and archived.  I promised myself I would get that done after the first of the year.


I'd begun going through closets and cupboards sorting and tossing while I put away Christmas, but I still had much more of that type of sorting and tossing to do.  

Books are stacked waiting to be read during the winter months.  

Writing a personal history was also on my to do list.

I had my ladies groups at church to look forward to.  And, there is my writing group that needs to get going again.  All of that would also take up much of my time.  Not to mention that I could always go to lunch with my girlfriends.  Yes, I had all of that going on, and I so enjoy these activities.

I'd started a workout plan on our new elliptical machine.  I hoped to make sure I also got the club to do water aerobics at least twice a week.  There were Zumba classes being offered, and those low impact aerobics class also.

I promised myself that I would start cooking more at home and planning healthier meals.  I have been pretty consistent in doing that since the beginning of December.  

Yes, I had plenty to do while Jim was working.

Yet, I could not shake the desire to go back to work, so there was this job, and I applied for it.  As I told one of my girlfriends, I hate filling out the application process on-line, so one day, I sat myself down and completed the process anyway, partly as a practice of discipline.  

I had another year and a half left on a teaching license that I had renewed and never used since I had renewed it.  It took some doing just to renew that license on-line.  I'd had to reconstruct all the professional development I had done, prove I had done it, and submit all the papers to get the renewal.  It seemed so much easier when we just found our papers and submitted them to the Colorado Department of Education.  Now, it all had to be done electronically.  My husband, and many of my friends thought I was crazy for doing it.  "Why do you want to renew again?"  In my heart, I just wasn't ready to let that hard won certificate expire, so I renewed it.  After all of that, I had never used the renewed certificate to teach again.

Mostly, I have just been missing working in the profession I loved so much.  I missed the mental and intellectual challenge that teaching brings.  I missed the contact with students.  I missed working with other teachers. I wanted and needed the feeling that my days had a purpose that met the passion I have always had for teaching.

A phone call came.  An interview was granted.  I was greatly impressed by the principals I met.  I loved the school.  I was excited about the possibilities.  The next day, a job was offered.  I took it.

Today, I signed a contract to teach again.  I will begin my new job on January 24.  I will be teaching ELL (English Language Learners, or English as A Second Language.  I will go between three elementary schools and one middle school in School District 11.  I am quite happy about it all.  

Tonight we went to dinner to celebrate that I had signed a contract to teach through the end of the school year.  As Jim signed the check, I mentioned to the waiter that we had just eaten a celebratory dinner.  Soon, very unexpectedly, the waiter reappeared with a dessert to help me celebrate my new adventure.  He said,  
"Thank you for being a teacher."  


After I signed my paperwork today, I was quite humbled to think that I can again become a part of a profession that has given me so much more than I ever gave it.  I'm grateful to have the health and the desire to go back and work with young people again.  I'm looking forward to mentoring and working with the aides whom work with the ELL population in the schools where I will be working.  

Many years ago, a fellow worker in the school where I worked said to me, "I could never give up working as an elementary school secretary, because I'm hooked on the smiles I get each day."  I understand that.  I love seeing the light come on and the excitement that a child expresses when he or she finally understands and can speak a language that is new to them.  I can't wait to get back to working with my dear ELL students.  

24 comments:

  1. Wow, what a great adventure awaiting you. Sounds like lots of work, but I know you can do it. Keep us posted.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well congratulations! Isn't retirement a time when you can choose what you want to do? Hope you enjoy your choice!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are fortunate to be able to return to an aspect of teaching that is so rewarding.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are much braver than I! I'm not going to renew any of my licenses. I still work for IMESD as their grant writer and that's enough. I like not having to live a fixed schedule. Tonight I will volunteer at the warming center from 12:00 AM to 4:00 AM...couldn't do that if I had a real job. I'm glad your health has improved so you can meet the demands of work. I'm sure it will be rewarding. It is fun to work with young people. I told someone the other day that I miss not being up on all the latest stuff...my students always shared their new music and funny videos and slang with me. Congratulations! Enjoy...and pace yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congratulations, Sally! A decision you feel that good about is obviously the right one for you. Thanks for helping us keep up with you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sally, KUDOS to you and to Jim as he supports your decisions be they what may...your passion and zeal for the success of your students will shine through!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sally, KUDOS to you and to Jim as he supports your decisions be they what may...your passion and zeal for the success of your students will shine through!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations Sally!They are fortunate to have such a pro!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ahh, Sally, I'm so happy for you! You inspire me so. I've been down and out during this dank and dreary Nashville winter.
    Today I start some in-depth work with Sammy (grand-darling boy) and I have no background in speech therapy. So, I'm terrified in so many ways.
    Wish you could take me by the hand. I haven't a grain of confidence anymore.
    Wish me luck.
    SJP, Girl of '63

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so glad for you. I just recently got a query from my old boss about whether I might consider returning to part-time work, but I, unlike you, don't have the slightest interest. I know you will be an asset to the school and the students as well. I hope you keep me posted as to your progress in your new job! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. That's wonderful, there is nothing better than being able to do what you want to do. Good luck in your new job.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congratulations! I'm excited for you. Your students will surely benefit from your teaching. I'd rather be shot with tacks than return to the classroom, but that doesn't mean every retired teacher feels as I do.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congratulations! I'm very happy for you for a number of reasons but mostly because you are feeling healthy and strong enough to return to the work force. Three cheers and loads of success to you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, Sally! Congratulations on knowing what you want and need- and going after it! You will be a wonderful asset to the schools and students will love you!
    Enjoy your time back in the classroom. Love and hugs to you

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good for you, Sally! So happy that you can be active and giving once again in a profession you love so much!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm proud of you. You have so much to offer those students. The sorting out at home can wait. Pace yourself! Hugs to you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Luck. I am English teacher, too. But I teach English as a Second Language in Europe

    ReplyDelete
  18. how special, I left my teaching license expire but have enjoyed teaching community ed. classes and at my church. I love teaching too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What an exciting way to start your new year! I was a volunteer tutor with Level 1 adult ESL learners for 17 years. I loved it. I met so many interesting, wonderful people from all over the world during those years. When I started having so much trouble with arthritis in my knees I had to stop. In the future I hope to volunteer as a tutor again. Volunteering as a tutor was one of the most worthwhile things I did in my life.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Bravo and congratulations! Looking forward to reading your school stories!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congratulations! I wish you all the best as you get back into the work you love.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow! Well done you! I think it's wonderful that you still have the urge to teach, and I know that it will be very fulfilling for you. I hope this new adventure will be a happy one for you ����

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog. I love reading your comments. Comments are moderated by the author of this blog. It may take a short delay for your comment to be published. No anonymous comments are published, nor are comments that are offensive to myself or other readers.