When I was first presented with an opportunity to leave the comfort of my safety net (my previous school) I was skeptical. I constantly questioned why I would want to leave the space I had helped to grow into a nature based program. A place where the faculty became my sisters and the families I served became my extended family. Eventually I realized all the opportunities that had presented themselves along the journey were happening for a reason. I took a leap of faith and jumped into a new exciting period of learning and growth for myself.
Longer Commute Times For The Win
Some may have said my extended commute was going to be a detriment to my choice. However, I found that I now have time to listen to educational podcasts, reflect on my days, weeks, and long term plans. Pray for my students each morning, and even just soak up the quiet needed to energize my day. The commute has become a welcome component of my day and offers some reflective opportunities. I have even begun to use an audio recorder in my car for all of the new ideas, so I can get my ideas out while I drive.
Intentional Prep Time
I was concerned that I would not be able to keep up with changing my classroom themes and preparing my room for upcoming learning opportunities. In my old program, I was about 10 minutes from home. The habit of just “stopping in for a minute” almost everyday of a vacation, became one I needed to break. I could even be found in my classroom most evenings after my own children’s sports activities. A few minutes always turned into an hour or two, and I began to feel as if I never left.
However, I find now, two years in to my 30 minute commute, that I am more intentional with my time at school. I am able to leave my room prepared and ready for each day. My planning time has become more streamlined and productive. I am able to feel refreshed each morning, and have become a better version of myself, for my students.
Family First
I am able to focus on my family, and relish the time we have together before my children are all off to college and lives of their own. When I worked in the same town I lived in, I rarely took time for just me and my family. I was either at school thinking about my students, at the grocery store thinking about my students (because I had just seen them) or thinking about my students during sports activities (because they played on the same teams as my own children). Please don’t misunderstand, I love ALL of my students, whether I live in town with them or not. It just got easier to focus on my own babies and relish in our special time.
All this to say, if you feel like you are being pushed to do more, change your norm, or even just need a new view, it may be time to look deep and make the change. I believe in you, I believe that what works for you may not work for someone else. Stay true to your feelings and follow your dreams. Sometimes a change of scenery is all we need to become the best versions of ourselves.
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