New Beginnings

It's been awhile since my last post. Mainly it was due to either stress or lack of time. Nonetheless, the new year started off with a struggle. 

I was hospitalized last month for severe migraines. I've suffered migraines since I was a child (my first one at age 9), but they only lasted a few hours before it downgraded to a headache. This migraine was different. It lasted 3 days. I couldn't hold down any food. I vomited all contents including plain water. I couldn't even take medication because I couldn't keep it down. Eventually I had to go to urgent care to get well. What led to this could be several factors but stress was probably number 1. 

I knew what was making me stressed. My job. It began when I applied to and was interviewed by UC Santa Cruz. They were extremely interested in my skills, but I didn't get the position. I wasn't really broken up about it because I felt that getting an interview was a big enough accomplishment. Then I learned later that my director never submitted my teacher evaluations nor a recommendation. He had even admitted that he didn't send them because he didn't want me to leave the school. I was disheartened by that. He promised to increase my pay. 

Throughout my time there, I was constantly on the receiving end of his wrath. Not just me, but others at the school were also mistreated. He was always stressed out for reasons unrelated to work, but I guess he needed a punching bag.

Late last month, due to declining enrollment, two classes were collapsed. Rather than letting the teacher go, the director gave her two of my classes resulting in a very large salary decrease. Considering my contribution to the school, I felt it was completely unfair. Why put it mildly? I was angry. 

I decided to find another position elsewhere. Today I was offered a full-time administrative position at another school where I would develop curriculum and work more with teachers as the master teacher. I hadn't thought about leaving the classroom. It never occurred to me. I was also offered a much higher salary than what I was making before my pay cut. It's also much closer to home. I've been driving 70 miles round trip to my current position. Now it will only be a short BART ride to San Francisco.

After much reflection, I'd realized that I was no longer happy at my current position. Though I enjoyed teaching my students, I felt that my director never appreciated my dedication, work, and effort. It's time for me to move on.

This will be a new experience to embark on, but I welcome the new challenges.