When I joined the staff of SLA, 4 years ago, I made a bargain with myself… I would live in Philadelphia because I wanted so badly to teach in a place that was getting it right, work with people who were pulling in the same direction and where I was amongst teachers teaching like I teach. The reality is that I never saw myself living on the East Coast, so I assured Chris that I would make it at least 2 years, but 4 years was the expiration date. This June will mark 4 years and last week I processed the paperwork to resign my job.
Leaving SLA is sad. This is a job I love. I work with the most talented, committed group of students, staff and parents. Working with them has allowed me to become a better teacher. It has been a gift. Meenoo will be taking over Debate. Caitlin Thompson and Matt Kay will keep the GCY river trip going. I will still be helping with EduCon. And they are currently interviewing for a new person to add to the history department. To be clear… I am not burned out. I do not want to stop teaching forever. I am fully committed to the mission of SLA and its future progress. But, for me personally, leaving is the right move for right now.
And so… you ask… what will I do? I joke with our seniors that I started SLA with them, and I will graduate with them… and then I’m taking a gap year. 😉 Maybe the better term is self-funded sabbatical. I need to figure out a place to live, this nomadic thing is awesome and exhausting. I hope over the next year that I figure out a home base that I can be in for awhile (my page in my mom’s address book has worn through with erasing) Since college its been 4 years, 1 year, 3 years, 8 years, 4 years… in new places. It is a ton of fun but am feeling like I might like to plant myself (and from there still adventure and travel like mad) in a place that is more ‘me’.
During the next year I have a few goals. First on the list is to spend time with the people (outside of SLA) that are closest to me… I’ve felt myself struggling to find the time to spend with my family and AZ friends. Coincidentally, they also run programs that I would like to be helpful with along the way… my brother-in-law is the Principal of my home elementary school and my best friend runs an experiential education magnet program in Flagstaff. There is also work that I want to do with the SLA community: publishing units/curriculum, building/improving SLATE, and drafting a list of school creation/reform conversation protocols. And then… its wide open.
I am excited to see what rolls out next. I am working with a few schools this summer on PBL/1:1/Inquiry Driven workshops and am very much looking forward to that work. Basically, I would like to continue to use my energy to help schools, teachers and students realize their full potential. It is a broad statement, but really is what I’ve been doing for the past 15 years, next year will just look a little different. (I joke that the mid-westerner may kick in mid-summer and I will find myself ‘needing’ to find a job, because it isn’t very midwestern to take a year away from full-time work)
So. There it is. As of June 19th, I will be without ‘a job’ for the first time since I was hired at Subway to be a sandwich artist in 1990. On to new adventures.
Brian C. Smith said:
As you know, we are going through something similar, save the “jobless” part. We wish the very best for you and know we will keep in touch and cross paths (maybe even in SE Asia) at a point soon. As for your work and your message, I think it’s really important to get out there. I’m so glad we had the chance to have you speak at the annual NYSCATE conference. I still hear comments about your talk and how teachers see “new” ways of learning you shared. Thanks for your dedication to the profession and for making it a better one for us all. God speed.
Your friend and colleague,
Brian
imcguy said:
What a big decision. Good luck, you will be great doing whatever you end up doing.
Britt said:
Congrats on your decision & best of luck in your future endeavors! I hope to see you in AZ when you are visiting friends … including the 2 newest Flagstaff transplants : ) Your post echos everything I’ve felt living in Philly the past 4 years … including the exciting uncertainty that comes with change (yes, I too have been working every since my first job in a midwest hoagie shop:). Cheers to living life to the fullest & the adventures ahead. Enjoy every minute!
mrsdurff said:
Enjoy your sabbatical, enjoy spending time with family and friends, enjoy discovering the best home base possible!
Bill Fitzgerald (@funnymonkey) said:
Hello, Diana,
I look forward to hearing about the things you make happen – and hey, maybe even being a part of some of it. If you get any crazy ideas, please, let me know. I LOVE crazy ideas 🙂
And at the risk of stating the obvious, if you’re in the Pacific Northwest, give a holler.
Cheers,
Bill
Molly Myers said:
Wow. What a great post and thanks for ever-inspiring me with your courage and commitment to crafting a life for yourself that is fully your own making. I look forward to hearing from you along the way.
If you find yourself without shelter in Chicago, my home is always open to you and yours.
Best of luck.
Molly
Jen W. (@jenwagner) said:
Oh — how eciting.
First of all — congratulations on all your hard work at SLA. You will be missed. But know that you are NOT severing a cord, you are just attaching a bungee cord.
I wish you great success in all you do. Get ready to entertain any new ideas, thoughts, opportunities, and adventures. Be brave and imagine!!!
And, if I might be so bold — welcome back to “our” side of the US!
Thank you for sharing this journey with us…..we are right behind you — beside you — all the way…..
Jennifer
PS: and thank you for the challenge….
I have been hemming/hawing for 3 years now to move on as well. You are stirring my thoughts as well.
J
Karen Bannon said:
Wow. You have always been so brave in your life choices and I am excited for you as you change things up……yet again!!!
rellis said:
Congratulations in whatever the future holds Diana! I like your idea of a self funded sabbatical, enjoy this time you have given yourself to determine where you want to end up, possibilities are endless. I hope at some future time we have the opportunity to meet again, best of luck!
@marykreul said:
Best wishes on your new adventures – may you continue to use your talents to help educators and students reach for the stars.
Mary
bethanyvsmith said:
I am impressed, it takes a lot of guts to go out on your own like that without a safety net. I admire it and wish I was brave enought to do it sometimes myself. Good luck on your adventure, and I hope you find what you are looking for!
Jenny said:
The idea of a gap year twenty years in the making is awesome. You’ll get much more from a gap year now than you would have post-high school or college I would bet. I think what impresses me the most is your ability to move forward into the unknown while hanging on to the things that matter most to you. I find that inspirational.
Melissa said:
Congratulations Diana! I look forward to reading about your new adventures.
eplybon said:
I’m sad for SLA, but at least it sounds like you are not severing the cord. I know whatever the road leads you to, it will be a great adventure! Good luck!
nsharoff (@nsharoff) said:
Kudos to you for recognizing the need to move on and actually doing it! I am certain that you will be sorely missed by the SLA community. I have a good feeling about this ‘gap year’ of yours. May you always follow your passions and continue to inspire those around you. We’ll be watching…
loonyhiker said:
Good luck on your new adventures! I’m sure that whatever you end up doing there will be tons of people who will benefit from your knowledge and expertise!
Joe Brennan said:
Can you get past the Cheese Curtain without a job?
Lee Kolbert said:
Diana,
It was the highlight of my year to have spent time with you in person last year. I wish you the best of luck in all that you do. Perhaps your efforts is a call to action for all of us to re-assess what we are doing – maybe we should all leave and form our own school! I look forward to hearing more from you.
Lee
satinmoon said:
Fabulous…you know I believe in jumping into the wild blue. Come rejuvenate on the island, Love, Brenda
Peg said:
Im so proud of you, love you TONS!
😉
And if your travels send you South Carolina way…….
Your Big Sister said:
Looking forward to having you home for an extended visit! And it goes without saying but…WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!
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