Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Am I a lifer?

My father was a teacher for 25 years at a small junior/senior high school in Western New York. The school was surrounded by farmland, the pay was meager, and for the first 15 years his office was a broom closet behind the stage. But he loved it.

He told me he was a lifer. For better or worse, that was the district that he planned to be at forever.

It has been seven years now in the district that gave me my first job, and I often ask myself if I will be a lifer too. Some days that question is easier to answer than others.

I love my job, and my district. But sometimes I wonder what it would be like in another school. Or another profession all together. Is that abnormal?
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3 Responses:

Anonymous said...

Is curiosity abnormal? Heck, no.

Anonymous said...

I spent 9 years in the same district, the district from which I attended elem. school and graduated HS. All of my family lives there and I thought for sure I'd be a "lifer." Things change, people change, structures change... I made the move to a new district this year and enjoy it very much. I think you know when you're ready, if you're ready, to make the move.

Anonymous said...

A mentor of mine who retired last year after 30 years in the classroom said he kept it fresh by switching districts (9 years in) and then schools (18 years in). Change is hard but healthy, especially when you know it's time.