It's been awhile...

I find it pretty sad that I haven't written a blog post in 6 months.  My last blog post was soon after I retired and just before an amazing family trip to Italy.  July and August were times to relax with family and friends while trying to figure out what I would do once I retired.  Little did I know that things would fall into place and fill my time.  What I've found is that there are always things for a retired educator to do.  Here's what I've been up to since I retired and a word of advice for everyone following each opportunity.

• I enjoyed a family trip to Italy.  It was my first time outside of North America.  The time with family was amazing, as was the food and the scenery.  I had taken my school email off of my phone once I got to the airport so that was something I didn't even think about.  I had never taken my school email off of my phone and wish that I could have done so earlier.
• Word of advice- When you are on vacation, take your school email off of your phone.  The time spent on vacation is for you to take care of yourself and your family.  It's not to take care of school issues.  They'll be there when you get back, trust me.
• I enjoyed many weekends in Fox Lake, enjoying cookouts, fishing and boating.  There was also a lot of fun at the Drunken Clam, a local bar on the lake, with family and friends.
• Word of advice- Make more time to visit the places you enjoy and spend more time with family and friends.  Nothing is more important in life than your family and friends, except maybe your health.
• I enjoyed time around our house and hanging out with our family and friends.  Many of our connections occurred in a more spur of the moment situation than something that was really planned ahead.  That used to really bother me because I do like to know what the plan is for the day or the weekend or the week.  This summer, and so far during the school year, I think that I'm more flexible with my time and my choices.  I really think that's a good thing.
• Word of advice- Be more flexible and don't be so planned.  It's amazing what can happen when you just let things happen.  The conversations and the connections are so much more powerful when they aren't preplanned.
• Once summer was over, I found myself having opportunities presented to me.  Here is the list.
• I am working with ParentCamp, an amazing organization that helps schools and districts connect better with their families and their communities.  I look forward to continuing this opportunity as the new year begins.
• I was an adjunct professor at a nearby university where I was able to learn with 23 pre-service educators.  I was nervous as I had no experience teaching adults (except for professional development for my colleagues when I was the principal) and let the students know that.  We spent 25 classes together and learned so much from each other.  I'm certain that these 23 students will be incredible educators.
• I am currently mentoring a first year principal in a nearby K-8 school.  I have enjoyed connecting with him and hope that I have been able to help him along his journey.  I need to make more time for this mentoring opportunity as the school year continues.
• I was an interim assistant principal at a nearby middle school.  It was a part-time position due to my adjunct professor role.  I spent 32 years of my life with middle school students, 20 of them as an administrator.  Working with middle school students and staff is something that I really enjoy.
• I am currently a long term guest teacher in physical education at the same nearby middle school.  When I was thinking about what I would study when I went to college, physical education was at the top of the list.  I didn't start in education when I went to college (that's another story) but when I did choose education, physical education wasn't an option.  I've enjoyed my time as a physical education teacher.  This opportunity has really helped me realize that I still love education and teaching.
• One opportunity I didn't pursue was being an interim principal at an elementary school that wasn't really nearby.  It was also more long term than I was looking for at the time.  In hindsight, it was the right decision as I wouldn't have been able to be a long term guest teacher in middle school physical education.
• Word of advice- When you do retire, other things will come your way.  All of the opportunities that I've had so far are education related.  I'm thinking about reaching outside of the comfort zone that education is for me.  When opportunities do arise, the best thing is that you can decide which of these things you will want to do.
• This last weekend, our daughter graduated from college.  She graduated as a dual certified regular education and special education teacher.  She will be fully licensed once she completes her student teaching at the end of January and already has a full time teaching job for the second semester.  My wife Jen and I are so proud of her and the path that she is on.  We know that she is already a good teacher and will get better every day.
• Word of advice- You never know what kind of an impact you'll have on someone.  Our daughter didn't start in education but when she made the change she was all in.  Jen and I supported her decision and we will continue to support her on this journey.  Make sure that you are a support in the lives of those with whom you are closest.