More Difficult Conversations

Originally written 6/2/13

I had to tell my principal & assistant principal that it was likely I would not be back in the fall. These two wonderful ladies and I have formed a bond.  They are there to help when I need it, and they see the fun, hilarity, and humility that comes with working in an elementary school.  

Stink eye, courtesy of Mrs. Obama

I’ve broached the topic of moving to London with them earlier in the school year, and it went something like what I expected the conversation with our parents to go.  They were not happy about the idea, but understood that the opportunity to live abroad does not come around every day.  The London discussion had been quiet for a few months until late last week.

It wasn’t pretty.

We are all working through it together, and I am trying my hardest to make a smooth exit.  Now when I see my principal & assistant principal either give me a sad face or the stink eye.

*The news shared in this blog posts was originally written many months ago.  We were not ready to share the news with the world at that time, so I added the original date the post was written at the top.

Wrapping Up a Career

Originally written 6/1/13

I’ve been a teacher for the last thirteen years.  It’s what I was born to do.  I’ll admit that in the past five-ish years the profession has become more stressful.  My pension is at risk as I live in a state with the worst funded pension program.  The government is dictating new rules that are not actually best for children.  Politicians are not trained educators, and therefore makes them experts in making decisions about our schools, right?  On a local level, my district is making cuts in order to save money.  I can’t say that I agree with all of those choices either, but I’m at least doing a job I love.  

I never thought I’d leave my job in my current district.  I was offered this job before I graduated from college, and it was exactly what I wanted.  I moved to my current school five years ago, and I felt this was where I wanted to stay for a good long time.  Two years ago our building got a new principal and assistant principal.  I had an instant connection with these two women.  We share many similar theories about teaching and children. Another plus, we have a great time when we are together, no matter how stressful.

I’ve grown a lot as a person and a mother because of this job.  This year, in particular, has been a growing opportunity as I am sending a group of students to the middle school for the first time. I’ve slowly moved up through the grades over the last twelve years, and this is my first year working with 5th graders.  The bonus was that I had many of these students since they were in second grade.  I know these students so well that we are a happy little school family.  I know how to perk them up when they are feeling sad, or give them the tough love they might need. Our move to London has me leave the profession and a building I love.  I am not upset, but I had the same emotions as Oldest Kiddo when she realized she would not be back in the fall.  I am not sure of how or if my visa will allow me to work, but I do plan to volunteer in the kids’ schools as much as they will take me.

I spent the last two days purging my file cabinets of twelve years of teaching.  I found folders of papers from my student teaching days.  They were folders I had not opened since my student teaching days, but I kept them just in case.  Some of my colleagues benefitted from my purging as I passed along several materials to them.  They thought I was being generous as they had no clue a move was in the works. Four drawers jammed of manilla folders condensed down to one drawer.  I sure hope all of that recycled paper will make a significant positive impact for the hole in the ozone.   

One thing I found while purging was my happy folder.  It’s filled with things that I wanted to keep because they always made me smile.  I found notes from colleagues and principals with kudos for a job well done.  There were work samples from students who wrote sentimental or hilarious things; often the hilarity was not intentional.  The smile folder is one of the few things I’ll bring home with me as it’s a great representation of a well-loved career.

*The news shared in this blog posts was originally written many months ago.  We were not ready to share the news with the world at that time, so I added the original date the post was written at the top.

Raw Emotions

Originally written 5/31/13

The news of our move is trickling out slowly.  This is big news so we need to do it right and share in tiers.  First on the list was our parents and siblings, our kids, and then our friends.  There was anxiety about telling our parents.  Both of our parents live an hour away from our current home, so it’s relatively easy to see each other for causal events or emergencies when the kids are sick. We were relieved when our parents all agreed that our pending move was a phenomenal opportunity and we had to take it. They were not super happy about us leaving the continent.

Today we shared the news with our Oldest Kiddo.  She went to London for the first time this past winter break.  She LOVED the trip, and she reminisces about events at least once a week since returning.  

Our thought behind telling her this early in the process is because we might be gone by the time school starts in August. This would be a good opportunity for her to say good-bye to her friends. We thought she’d be ecstatic with the news.  She was.......at first.  

She got the excited shocked look on her face, then it all drained away.  She quickly realized that she’d have to leave her friends, school, and most of all her extended family.  Seeing these raw emotions pour out of her reminded us what a mature girl she is growing into.  After the initial tears, she started asking questions and making sense of what this opportunity really brings. She understood that in order to go to London she’d have to give up some things here.  On the flip side, if we did not go to London she’d have to give up some amazing opportunities there.  By the time we got through the conversation, she said that she knows it’s a wonderful chance that may never happen again.  

It is sad to leave what we know, but the adventure to come is exhilarating.  

*The news shared in this blog posts was originally written many months ago.  We were not ready to share the news with the world at that time, so I added the original date the post was written at the top.

Let The Panic & Anxiety Begin!

Originally written 5/29/13

Oh my goodness.  The unanswered scenarios are overflowing our brains!  Should we rent our house when we are gone?  Should we sell it?  Do we send our furniture or rent a furnished place?  Where should we live? What school will the kids go to?  How will our parents react to the news?  Will I resign or take a leave from my job?  There are only five days left in the school year, and I have so many tasks to complete before that time.  I don’t think sleep will come easily for the next few days.  

*The news shared in this blog posts was originally written many months ago.  We were not ready to share the news with the world at that time, so I added the original date the post was written at the top.

The News We've Been Waiting For

Originally written 5/27/13

Matt has been helping out with projects at his company's London office for over a year and a half now.  Whenever they needed help, he did not hesitate to fly over.  This is because London is a town we adore.  I’ve been there six times in seven years, and Matt has been there many more due to return visits for work.  

I frequently joked that he should try to get a transfer to the London office, but it was never the right time.  He would be ready to go, but I had reservations.  Then when I worked through my concerns, he was not ready.  It seemed that there was always a barrier either here at home or in the London office.  Plus, Matt has carved a great niche for himself in his current job, and he enjoyed what he did.   

His weekly work schedule entailed more and more travel.  That meant I was home with the kids playing, as I called it, the single mom gig most of the time.  His travel meant a lot of frequent flier miles for the family, but he had to be home for us to use them.  In one week he could visit three or four cities, and the travel was starting to wear on him.   His colleagues in London were asking for more and more of his help, and each visit made him want to be there more and more.      

Then today he got the call we’d been waiting for, a call from one of the big guys in the UK office. They had a position that is perfect for him, and would he want to make a permanent move over to London? After that call, we realized that neither of us had any reservations that could hold us back. It is obvious that the time is right to make a move to London. How often does a person get an offer like this?  

It's going to be an uphill process until moving day. We will try to keep you updated along the way.  

*The news shared in this blog posts was originally written many months ago.  We were not ready to share the news with the world at that time, so I added the original date the post was written at the top.