NJASA

Retirement Reflections

As a former elementary school teacher, I cannot help but think of my retirement in terms of mathematical literacy and language arts literacy.

Here are the numbers:  55/25.  Additionally:  COVID-19.

Here is the literacy reference:

I have always related the phases of my life to chapters in a book. Some of the chapters can be extraordinarily planned and easily written…some of the chapters get written for you. I never really wanted to be a Superintendent. I applied for my first CSA job on the recommendation of a friend, who said, “Buck-up and quit your whining, we need good people doing this work!” Ten years of doing this leadership work have passed and the magic numbers are now in place.

As the sunset of my career approaches, I am finding that I have become very reflective on the different jobs that I have held throughout my educational career. I have been reflecting on the crazy things that have happened, large and small. I began my central office work the week of 9/11/01. I am ending as we move forward from a global pandemic.

It sounds cliché, but with a little luck and tenacity, learning has occurred in each of the positions I held. I will keep my growth mindset but am looking forward to utilizing it differently in my retirement.

I am looking forward to being able to actually drink a cup of coffee at my kitchen table in the morning without rushing.

I am looking forward to sleeping through the night, instead of waking up with a work-related stressor or the eureka moment solving a problem at 2:20 a.m.

I am looking forward to having time for self-care and, more importantly for family care.

I am looking forward to reading something other than professional journals.

Once some rest occurs, I may even dabble in some different work.

My husband, the absolute love of my life, is retiring on the same day. We are embarking on this new chapter together. I still like him, and we will see if it is still mutual. HA!