As I look forward (still debating on attending ...) to my 20 year high school reunion I can't help but reflect on the past 20 years. Many good. Many memorable. Tough times. Trying times. Joyful times. And, our share of hard times. Some very, very hard.
Twenty years. Two decades representing my entire adult life. In that 20 years, I graduated high school, went to college, gave birth, graduated college, secured employment in my field, gave birth to a second son, went to grad school, started my own business, bought a home, finished grad school, gave birth to a third son, continued building my business, then gave birth to a fourth son. I have given birth to 4 amazing boys. FOUR. Yup. Amazing.
Also during the past two decades, I struggled. Relationships struggles. Big struggles. Ongoing struggles.In 2007 I was informed of (then) husband's family history of extreme violence; alcoholism, abuse, instability, mental health issues. Lies. Lots and lots of lies. The man I was married to was not who he portrayed himself to be.
In 2009, due to a traumatic incident (see "But ... he doesn't hit me"), I filed a restraining order and began the process of legal separation/divorce. It was/is brutal. Not only does this year mark 20 years since high school graduation, I also celebrate the 5th year of my separation/divorce.
Twenty years ago I was a high school senior with plans. What plans? Plans to go to college and become a teacher. So that's what I did. I went to college. I became a teacher. I taught briefly after graduating college and then decided to stay home with my son and worked part time. I don't regret for one moment making my family a priority. Not one. However, due to being out of my profession for 8 or so years while raising a family, I am now at a cross-roads. My options in the education world are; substitute teach or work as a para educator. Options are limited.
Finding work outside of education is absolutely a possibility. This is the question I get at nearly every interview;
"If your background is in education, why don't you just go back to teaching?"
And, thus my dilemma ... Lots of education. Little work experience (outside of running my own business). The other issue I personally struggle with is this - I love teaching. I'm good at it. I had my dream job running my own tutoring business. Earning an income AND having fun doing it. I was good at it. However, due to ongoing family issues; including mental health, self-harm, and ongoing behavioral and emotional concerns with all of the children I decided to close my business and focus on family.
Twenty years ...
