No More Students.
I’ve been teaching English Composition part-time at a community college for four years. Today was my last class. Ever.
During my recent a-ha moment, I realized that I was just spinning my wheels semester after semester. If I wasn’t going to teach full-time – with a family and a full-time job that I love, I don’t have the time or desire to participate in the necessary professional development needed to enhance my curriculum vitae – then what was the point? Why was I spending my time teaching when I could be writing?
Today I got two answers:
1. A friend’s blog reminded me that family should come first and sometimes we need to let go of certain commitments to give priority to what’s important.
2. A student complimented by teaching style at the end of class.
Ok, so those two answers contradict but the first reminded me of one of the reasons I was hanging up my teaching cap (when I was having doubts) and the second validated that the time I had given to teaching wasn’t a waste and allowed me to leave on a positive note.
I enjoy teaching or, rather, I enjoy helping students, who care to, improve their writing. I’ve worked with a lot of talented, budding writers over the last four years and I’ve learned a lot from them but now its time to focus on my own writing.
Maybe I’ll go back to teaching one day; I wouldn’t mind teaching online. But, for now, I’m doing a happy dance because this semester is over!
I am so thrilled to be mentioned in this! It is good to know that we can inspire each other on our journey!