**This article was originally posted by another blog that is now shut down. Since this is my story, I'm reposting it here in conjunction with Dysautonomia Awareness Month. Check out Dysautonomia International for more information.**
I knocked on the door of my principal’s office.
”Can I talk to you about something?”
A long road had led to this day. 10 months prior, I had
blacked out while getting ready for school. The blackouts continued and led to
a diagnosis of dysautonomia. The school had lightened my workload some, and I
was determined I wouldn’t let this diagnosis get in the way of my passion:
teaching.
Then I got pregnant.
7 months pregnant with mild preeclampsia on top of my other
issues had brought me here.
“I… I think I’m going to have to leave teaching.”
My principal nodded sympathetically. He knew I had been
trying to fight through all these things.
I just remember that terrible gut feeling. I was a QUITTER.
Something I loathed.
It was hard to tell my favorite co-workers. The next week, I
went into the hospital and I never had the chance to tell my students goodbye.
It felt like a horrible ending to the career I love.
A year and a half after that day, my perspective on the
situation has changed. I was wrong, I’m not a quitter. I’ll be back. But right
now, taking care of my health (and now, my toddler) is the first priority.
There are many reasons you may have to step away from your
passion for a while. And that’s ok. Here are some thoughts I have had over my
time away for teachers temporarily out of teaching. Maybe they’ll help you too.
You remember it's not
forever.
Repeat after me. It’s not forever.
I choked up going into my classroom over a weekend and
removing my posters, books, and supplies. It was difficult, but I could keep
reminding myself. This is temporary. I’ll be back. And I’ll be a better teacher
when I do.
I filtered through my materials and tossed what couldn’t be
used in a few years and carefully packed the rest.
We push for a “growth mindset” in our students, and we
should be willing to do the same for ourselves. When things aren’t going as we
hoped, we don’t despair. We don’t throw in the towel. We learn from it, and
push ourselves to grow.
You keep your skills
sharp.
While the internet has brought us the strangest things (I’m
looking at you, Yanny and Laurel), it has brought along with us a host of
opportunities for professional development. On the days that I miss the
classroom, there are some tools I use to keep my skills sharp.
Podcasts
There are so many good educational
podcasts out there. My personal favorite is The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast. Check
out the channel TEDTalks Education as well.
If you were a social studies teacher, you may find that Revisionist
History or Ridiculous History can expand upon your knowledge in your field. If
you are new to the podcast world, apps like iTunes (Apple users) or Stitcher
(Andriod users) are great places to start searching.
iTunes
University
If you have an iTunes account, open
“iTunes University” on your menu. There you’ll find a host of free audio and
video lectures from universities around the country. Browse for education
courses or courses specific to your field. I found a host of lectures related
to my field from the University of Missouri that gave me some great insight
that I will carry into my next season of teaching.
Local
Competition
I was a public speaking/debate/drama teacher, all areas that
had ties to competition. I had a friend drop my name to a board of a regional
competition, and I was in! A few times a year I judge elementary and middle
school students competitions. I love being around the students, other
professionals, and dipping my toe back into what I love. If you were a science
teacher, consider finding out what fairs are around.
Look for a way to make a difference outside of the classroom.
I think you could ask any teacher for a list of things they
love about their profession. Almost always, you’ll get some form of “I love
making a difference.” No one can deny the incredible impact you get to witness
as an educator, and that feeling is definitely missed while you are out of the
field. Even if you aren’t in the classroom every day, there are some things you
can do to make an impression.
TeachersPayTeachers
My disability has made me homebound for patches of time, so
this one is definitely my favorite. When I left teaching, I shined up my
original activities and classroom games and opened a store on
TeachersPayTeachers. Facebook also has very supportive groups open to teachers
that are using the platform. Not only have I enjoyed getting my products out
there, I feel like I am helping other teachers across the country.
Tutoring
In the past, I’ve used WyzAnt to find local students looking
for help but be prepared for the site to take a nice chunk for user fees. You
can also find students looking for extra help on local neighborhood Facebook
sites. It might be proactive to put out an ad around the time of midterms for
those parents looking for help after a disappointing report card.
Volunteering
Leaving teaching was difficult
because I loved “my kids.” I taught high school students and greatly enjoyed
their humor and thoughtfulness. Getting plugged in with the youth group at my
local church was such a balm to my soul after that loss. You could also talk to
your local Boys and Girls Club to find out if there are kids in need of
mentoring.
It’s hard to put into words how it feels to walk away from
something you love, even if it’s temporary. A strong mindset and a commitment
to moving forward can be your greatest asset in a difficult season of life.
Keep your head up and move forward- the best is yet to come.
Are you thinking of leaving teaching? Comment below, I'd love to hear from you!
