Incubation

Now that I've had time to process, it's time to write about it. As of mid-March, I am no longer a middle school ELA teacher. It wasn't my choice (and, as opponents of charter schools will tell you, being an 'at will' employee gives these organizations the right to hire and fire at any time) but I'm looking at this situation as a fresh start. I've been working since I was 15 years old, partly because I had my oldest daughter when I was 16 and partly because I felt like I had to prove something. 'Proving something' got me very far, including--graduating from a vocational high school on time with honors, graduating from Mount Holyoke College while working part-time and mothering full-time, and graduating from Simmons College for my Master's degree while commuting 1.5 hours each way. However, through all of the schooling and teaching, I never really sat down and asked myself--what truly makes me happy? I fell into teaching; I originally wanted to work with older children in a mentoring or counseling capacity. I still do, to some extent. I also like to: write, read, create collages, mix patterns, colors, and textures within my wardrobe, organize items, drink tea, take day trips, visit new restaurants, laugh, and watch TLC and HGTV. In other words, I let my job define me for too long. I am way more than what I do for a salary. This is my incubation period.