NJASA

RETIREMENT: You’ll Know When You Are Really Ready!

When the thought of one more Board meeting is so distasteful, when the public has lost all sense of decorum, and worst yet, you have sunk to a low level; you’ll finally know it is time to really retire! I retired as Superintendent from Washington Township Public Schools, a large suburban district in Gloucester County and loved every minute of my time there. But I really wasn’t ready to finish my career so I did what many Superintendents have done; I worked as an Interim Superintendent in a few districts. It was a whole new experience and I was able to have a different more collegial relationship with the Board members than ever before.

But, I knew it was time to go for good when I was verbally abused by a parent at the podium one night at a Board meeting. After ranting for a while, on a topic I can no longer even remember, he disrespectfully stood up and asked me “Where’d you get your degree? From a cereal box?” Normally I would have shaken that off, formed my own opinion of the person in my mind, and never have shown my thoughts. But for some reason, that remark just set me off; I exploded and said “My degree came from Columbia University, an Ivy League university. Can you even SPELL IT!?” The audience applauded, my Board applauded, the parent shrunk away from the podium, and I sat down realizing immediately that this job had to be my last one. I had sunk to a new low and was being applauded for my poor behavior. Now that was a role model I did not want to set for anyone!

I finished out that Interim position and decided to see what else was out there for me. I wanted to rediscover the good things I loved about education, my life, and my passions. So I made a “bucket list” of sorts, of all the things I still wanted to accomplish and I have set out to enjoy them. I highly recommend having a heart-to-self conversation and really getting in touch with what you love to do. Here are some things on my “heart-to-self bucket list” and how I am at peace and enjoying my retirement.

1. Continue my involvement in the field of education

I still wanted to keep my hand and mind in the field in which I spent all of my working life. I formed an LLC company and do some consulting for districts in whatever they need – workshops, shadowing, district assessments, reports, etc. I mentor aspiring superintendents and benefit from the wonderful interactions we have in our meetings.  I am active in the New Jersey Council of Education and currently serve as the Vice President of this wonderful organization. If anyone is interested in what we are about, please contact me (cherylsimone@comcast.net) and check out our website: www.njcoe.com.

2. Explore and develop my creative side again

I have always believed in being a life-long learner. Instead of just concentrating on creativity in the classroom as a teacher, I am now the student and take a number of courses for pleasure – photography, bead weaving and jewelry making, glass-blowing, computers and social media, blogging, and yes, I succumbed, even Maj Jong, Canasta, and Astrology! The people I have met and gotten to know have all been so creative and talented. Their skills have humbled my fledging attempts to make beautiful things and to think in a different way.

I also “get cultured” every summer with my education friends in “Nancy Camp.” One of my former talented supervisors, Dr. Nancy Broz, creates an adult day camp, a weekly adventure to various venues in and around the Philadelphia – New Jersey – Delaware area to visit museums, famous people’s homes, boat rides on the Schuylkill, and of course there is always a wonderful meal included.

3. Make time for my passion of in-depth traveling

I taught Spanish and French as a teacher and always loved diversity and international cultures. I taught in a district where students did not have the opportunity to experience different cultures and peoples so I took students abroad every spring break. We raised money all year long to help them earn their fare. We travelled throughout Europe and Mexico. Our adventures were incredible and life-changing!

In the summers, my family and I would travel to the more exotic venues. Over the years, we discovered cruising as an easy way to see the world without the hassle of the flights and the schlepping of luggage. Now I am beginning to travel to all the places I have always wanted to see but never had the time for extended exploration of the sites. I just returned from a 21-day cruise from San Francisco to New York through the Panama Canal. I am going to Australia with a group of friends in 2018 for an extended visit and am planning a family genealogy trip to see Sicily in depth and explore our roots and the towns where our grandparents lived. Then there is always the possible fun Jazz cruise to Northern Europe, and so many more exciting places to visit. If anyone wants to join us on these travels, it is always more fun with a group of friends and family!

4. Spend extended and comprehensive time with family and friends

When you work you have responsibilities of the day-to-day chores of the job, raising a family, caring for the little ones and later the older ones, and you never really spend in-depth time just talking to your loved ones and friends. Life moves so fast and you are too busy to take the time to converse and really hear what they are thinking and feeling.

Now that I have the time, some of my loved ones are no longer around. So as not to make those same mistakes I decided to bring people together and enjoy their company and their lives. I plan social events with friends I have worked with from many school districts, I organize high school reunions, coordinate huge family reunions (the last one was 175 people), arrange annual cousins’ holiday dinners, and plan trips/outings with friends and family. I chronicle our events with photos and write books and newsletters, and I keep everyone in touch with each other through email groupings so those who are still working can at least catch up with family and friends through email. I passionately believe we must always continue to promote a closeness of family and friends and encourage their individual pursuits.

I never would have thought that my retirement would be so full and rich in doing all the things I love to do and all based on my core passions and beliefs. But I am the lucky one who has enjoyed a great career, good health, and love of family and friends.

What are my retirement words of wisdom to you? Make a “heart-to-self bucket list,” plan and implement what’s on it, enjoy your family and friends, and pursue your passions! Happy Retirement!!