So, after being in school for 50 years, I am finally going to see what life is like outside of school. I have been struggling with this decision for most of the school year. It is a very hard decision for me because I really love what I do.
It has always been my plan to retire when I reached the "rule of 88" and could take my pension. But when I finally made it to 55 I started getting cold feet. Did I really want to stop doing something that I spent the last 30+ years refining? I love my job and the children I work with everyday. Where else can an ordinary person like me feel like a rock star? Maybe I should stay just one more year...or two?
We looked at the financial side of things and felt that all the saving we have done in the past will make it possible for us to live comfortably in retirement. Would teaching another year or two make a big difference in my pension? Not really. Will the school district offer an incentive again next year? Who knows, but it's unlikely with all the state and federal budget cuts.
I guess the question that helped me make my decision was this. "Will it be any easier to leave after next year? or the year after?" When I thought about it, the answer was "no". So I decided to stick with the plan and retire at the end of this year.
I turned in my paperwork last Tuesday morning, and it was a teary day. Another teacher in my building had turned in her papers the same day and we consoled and supported each other most of the day. By 9:00 that morning the Superintendent had made our decisions public and the day became filled with congratulations and well wishers.
While the decision is still bitter sweet, at least the decision is made and I can sleep through the night again. Now the countdown begins and I look forward to starting a new chapter in my life.
