I have officially resigned my position as Math Department Chair at my old high school to take a full time position at Florida Virtual School. The past month has been a difficult time of emotional decision-making, but I feel this was the right choice in the end. I will now be working out of my home, teaching online. I will get to see my beautiful baby boy grow up, as well as help guide my 14-year-old during these important formative years. I also will get to dance with my 5-year-old daughter who is exactly like Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Cinderella," and I was afraid that "she would be gone" before I got in enough of those dances. Working full-time days and part-time nights these past few years, I felt like I missed more than I should have. I look forward to being there when my family needs me the most from now on.
There is still much to do. I gave up my tenure, so my contracts will always be annual. That's a little nerve-wracking, but I would like to think I have a strong enough work ethic to keep myself from being expendable. I will receive the same amount in my paychecks I have been getting, but they will be year-round. Summer has always been tough as I struggle to make ends meet working menial jobs. I also don't have to worry about the hour commute each way any more.
I know that there are millions of people who don't even have a job, so my concerns are trivial comparativey, but I have been so stressed lately with what amounts to a dramatic career change for me. I'm still teaching, but its definitely not the same.
FYI, if there are any interested or potential math teachers out there, I know where you can apply. My principal said that math teachers are in demand right now down here in central Florida.
