Many of my family members, friends, and contacts know this...I resigned my position as an elementary principal. What's weird is that I was not unhappy. I enjoy working with the staff, students, and families in our building. We have experienced so much success as an organization. I look forward to coming to work every day.
I am walking away from this position because I have discovered something that I enjoy even more - writing, publishing, creating, speaking, coaching and consulting, and celebrating all that is good in education in general. It just couldn't exist in my current assignment, as hard as I tried to make it fit. Yes, there's guilt.
Right now, the market for this type of work is hard to gauge. It may still exist within another school district, as a principal or as a district leader, as long as time is available for scholarship and professional collaboration. I've taken multiple interviews with possibilities. My approach in these pursuits has been a balance between following my passions and providing for my family.
Today, one of our family members texted this passage to my wife. She shared it with me, and now I am sharing it with you. I couldn't find the author. If you know who wrote it, I will gladly credit him or her in this post. It spoke to me. Maybe it will speak to you too.
A staff member congratulated me on following my dreams. I thanked them for their kind words, yet I was a bit confused about how to respond. It's not that I am following my dreams. To pursue these interests and goals, it's the only choice I have.