Time has been flying by and I don't have much to show for it. So much for posting flower pictures or Russia photos. It's crazy! I don't know where the week went. I head back to work next week to get everything ready and then classes start August 29th. I can't believe another school year is starting. I love my job and I love the international students that I teach, but somehow I thought I'd be in a different place in life by now. I know many of you feel the same way.
I've been in my department in some capacity for 7 1/2 years now and have truly appreciated the opportunity to use my Master's degree in a position that I feel qualified for and enjoy. I have learned so much from the time I started as a TA and then as I worked my way up to part-time teaching and then full-time teaching. I have gained much experience in the world of academia as I've learned from more seasoned teachers and as I've had the opportunity to teach most of the skills and levels in our program. I've had the opportunity to travel internationally once and I've also been able to present at regional and national conferences as a result of my job.
Truly, my job has been a blessing from God. I recognize that and have recognized it from the beginning. Just given the sheer small size of our town, I know there aren't any other opportunities to do what I love with my degree and get paid what I feel I should be paid. That is definitely a God-arranged work appointment. And, I've been so thankful for a salary with which we were able to pay off our students loans and our car loans. We've positioned ourselves financially so that I won't have to return to work immediately after having a child, and when I do, it will only be part-time. Again, for that I am thankful.
Last school year I made the difficult decision to transition from full-time work to part-time work. It meant a serious pay cut, but was a decision I felt God was calling me to as a way to lower my stress and begin transitioning into a new role- motherhood. I always thought I would work full-time until we had kids, so it was a hard decision to make. After I made that decision, however, we found out we were expecting (for the 2nd time) and I was over the moon with excitement. I was so ready for the transition away from work and to motherhood. And yet, that pregnancy quickly ended and I trudged ahead working part-time (30 hours/week) and found out I loved the extra 10 or so hours a week I had. I also found out that we were able to get by with the significant cut in my pay and we even were able to continue our savings goals!
So it was a no brainer for me to continue with my part-time work this school year, but my heart still aches for the transition to motherhood. I am so ready to be done with work. Again, not because I don't love my job or students, but because my job is temporary in my mind. I feel like it's something for me to do while we wait for our family to grow. I don't know if I'll ever return to work after we have a child in the home, but I have the possibility of teaching a class or two should I desire that.
And so perhaps that's why I've been unproductive and somewhat unmotivated...I'm dragging my feet as yet another school year begins. I can look back and recall these same feelings of wanting a transition for the past three school years. As I head into this next school year, I can't help but wonder (as I have in the past), will this be my last year of teaching for awhile? Only God knows, but my heart sure continues to hope that it is.
I've been in my department in some capacity for 7 1/2 years now and have truly appreciated the opportunity to use my Master's degree in a position that I feel qualified for and enjoy. I have learned so much from the time I started as a TA and then as I worked my way up to part-time teaching and then full-time teaching. I have gained much experience in the world of academia as I've learned from more seasoned teachers and as I've had the opportunity to teach most of the skills and levels in our program. I've had the opportunity to travel internationally once and I've also been able to present at regional and national conferences as a result of my job.
Truly, my job has been a blessing from God. I recognize that and have recognized it from the beginning. Just given the sheer small size of our town, I know there aren't any other opportunities to do what I love with my degree and get paid what I feel I should be paid. That is definitely a God-arranged work appointment. And, I've been so thankful for a salary with which we were able to pay off our students loans and our car loans. We've positioned ourselves financially so that I won't have to return to work immediately after having a child, and when I do, it will only be part-time. Again, for that I am thankful.
Last school year I made the difficult decision to transition from full-time work to part-time work. It meant a serious pay cut, but was a decision I felt God was calling me to as a way to lower my stress and begin transitioning into a new role- motherhood. I always thought I would work full-time until we had kids, so it was a hard decision to make. After I made that decision, however, we found out we were expecting (for the 2nd time) and I was over the moon with excitement. I was so ready for the transition away from work and to motherhood. And yet, that pregnancy quickly ended and I trudged ahead working part-time (30 hours/week) and found out I loved the extra 10 or so hours a week I had. I also found out that we were able to get by with the significant cut in my pay and we even were able to continue our savings goals!
So it was a no brainer for me to continue with my part-time work this school year, but my heart still aches for the transition to motherhood. I am so ready to be done with work. Again, not because I don't love my job or students, but because my job is temporary in my mind. I feel like it's something for me to do while we wait for our family to grow. I don't know if I'll ever return to work after we have a child in the home, but I have the possibility of teaching a class or two should I desire that.
And so perhaps that's why I've been unproductive and somewhat unmotivated...I'm dragging my feet as yet another school year begins. I can look back and recall these same feelings of wanting a transition for the past three school years. As I head into this next school year, I can't help but wonder (as I have in the past), will this be my last year of teaching for awhile? Only God knows, but my heart sure continues to hope that it is.
I am always amazed at how many IF bloggers are teachers. I am a teacher too. Is there something with teaching and IF. I hope and pray that this will be the year that you make the transition from careerhood to motherhood.
ReplyDeleteI so relate to this post! Thankful for my career, but so many mixed feelings over it. I hope this year will be the year for you.
ReplyDeleteI hope we are both able to make the transition to motherhood this year. Although, I love my job I am ready for the more important job of being a mom. Great post.
ReplyDeleteBNA- interesting observation. There are quite a few IF teachers in the blog world.
ReplyDeleteLadies- I hope this is the year for all of us!!
I'm a teacher too! :) And part of me always hesitates to take on new students because I keep thinking (hoping) it's only temporary.
ReplyDeletePraying this is the year for all of us too!
I understand your hesitation, Isaiah! And yes...let this be the year, dear Father.
ReplyDelete