Inspiration to Keep on Teaching… that Fire!

I have to thank my PLN friend, and fellow blogger, Pat H of Successful Teaching AKA the “Loonyhiker” for alerting me to this Wonderful Blog Post by Mike Rush at Teacher Food.

I enjoyed his posts so much, I even wrote him a comment. (I know I should comment more, but I am too shy to comment much!)

He seems to be a relatively new blogger and seems to be a “more experienced” teacher like me. His posts are awesome. He has a great future career as a writer, IMHO. So, therefore, I HAD TO write a COMMENT!

Please go over to his blog and read his posts. Your day will be much brighter after reading just one post!

I decided I had “poured out my heart” to Mike, a bit, in my comment to him, as well as compliment his writing skills. Therefore, for my own benefit, I decided to post my comment to him here on my own blog. I hope it tells my readers a little bit more about me, the person behind these blogs.

Mike,
Your blog is Very Special! You are a GREAT writer! I am completely in awe of what you have written.

I was not sure how long you have been writing this blog. This "starting" post does not have a date.

You have already made a difference in the lives of teachers, at least one (me), and I am sure in many others who have read your words and quoted you.

I am one of those "old farts of teachers" who taught right out of college, then "retired" to have my children and be a stay at home mom (back in the day), and then slowly after many hours of substituting, volunteering, and tutoring, got back into the classroom.

Then I moved into a completely new area of the country. I thought I was "really retired," but the economy took a dive and so did my investments. I need to work in some capacity.

Also, I was missing being "in the thick of things!"

My grown son gave me 1 year of "retirement" before I would get back to work, but it took me almost 2 years!

So far, in this economy, I have not yet gotten a permanent position. I still have "the fire" within me to make a difference and desperately want to be in the classroom. I taught 4th grade, then 1st grade, then computer lab. I am truly a computer geek, despite my advanced years!

I graduated from college and got my teaching certificate 38 years ago. I've only got about 12 years of teaching "credits" and some of those are in private schools, so they "don't count" to some entities.

Nevertheless, I still feel like I've got that "new teacher" fire in me. When most of my peers are retiring and playing with grandchildren, traveling the world, or just relaxing, I want to be back in the classroom.

So I will keep "fighting the fight" to get a permanent position and also know that my work as a substitute, tutor, and interim teacher is valuable work.

I am an excellent teacher and there is a place for me!

They may have to put me in the grave to get me away from teaching in some form!
So keep on with the writing. It helps someone every day to read it!

So, Thanks, Mike, for writing and inspiring me!

Who inspires you?

What keeps you in the classroom, day after day?

Tell us about it, please.

Technorati Tags: retirement,teaching fire,Mike Rush,Teacher Food,education,loonyhiker,Pat H,Successful Teaching

TEDGlobal Day 1: Quotes of the Day

I particularly like this Quote of the Day from TEDGlobal Day 1: Quotes of the Day

"I thought it might be helpful to cut five years from retirement and intersperse them in my working years." - Designer Stefan Sagmeister on taking sabbaticals every seven years

It would be nice to have these little sabbaticals in the middle of our lives/careers. I think our lives would be lived more purposefully if we took them.

I understand that in Europe all/most businesses require a holiday of 4-6 weeks (This is just a piece of information floating around in my head. I have never tried to verify it!)

This "required" holiday is perhaps a mini-version of Stefan Sagmeiser's sabbatical idea.

I wonder if we would all live longer lives if we followed this philospohy and practice?

What do you think?

Click here to watch riveting TED Talks.

ALL ABOUT ME - Tech Teacher- Retired

WHO AM I?

"Retired" Technology Teacher

"Retired" Elementary School Teacher

WHY "Retired"?...
I have moved from IL to NC and have not done a job search here.

My youngest daughter is busy playing volleyball in college in NC. I try to attend every match whether @ home or Away. That takes up a lot of time in the fall.

I still would love to have a job just like my last one before I moved. I worked with students, teachers, and the tech team. We coordinated the students' learning, the teachers' learning, and even my learning. It was SO great!

This blog hopefully will tell of my journey since "retiring" from teaching technology.

There is so much out there to learn, I can't stop learning. I still want to know all about everything new and useful.

I wish there was a way to use my enthusiasm, expertise, love for teaching, and love of learning myself to earn a little money here in "RETIREMENT."