It's funny how I can define my life in numbers. Math has always been such a big part of my life and I always thought I'd be a teacher forever. I've been a high school math teacher for almost 16 years, but last year I started getting a little itchy. I love my school, I love the kids, I love the people I work with. Yet I wasn't really content with where I was. I felt like I was in a rut.
Fast forward to about a month ago. A friend on twitter posted a job opening with McGraw-Hill, and that got me thinking that maybe a change could happen. After going back and forth with him about the position, I decided to submit my resume. It was nice that I knew that by doing this I wasn't making a commitment to anything, but by doing this I might start to open some doors.
One day after school that week I met with a friend who works in our district office. I totally respect her opinion; she's good at giving me ideas to think about that I never would have thought of before. After discussing the opening at McGraw-Hill, she mentioned to me the possibility of working with her friend, Mary, at a company called Math Solutions. Apparently it's a company that does professional development for math teachers. They've mostly worked in the K-6 age group but are now expanding into junior high and high school.
I met with Mary yesterday for breakfast where I was able to find out a little more about the position with Math Solutions. It really sounds like a neat opportunity, the only worrisome thing being the possible amount of traveling that could be involved. While I love to travel, having 2 kids ages 6 and 9 who are involved in sports pretty much year-round could make things tough.
I've decided that I'm going to move forward with the possibility of working with Math Solutions. It's scary; my only "real" job has been as a teacher and I'm now looking at leaving my comfort zone.
My friend sent me this quote. It's so appropriate for where I am right now!
If you feel both excited and scared, that is it. If you're just excited and not afraid, there is no challenge, no stretching, no initiation; you are still in your safe zone, and growth is unavailable. If you're just afraid, there is no positive motivation. Why walk through a fear unless there is something you are walking toward? But if you are simultaneously turned on and frightened, do it and watch your growth skyrocket.
Alan Cohen
Fast forward to about a month ago. A friend on twitter posted a job opening with McGraw-Hill, and that got me thinking that maybe a change could happen. After going back and forth with him about the position, I decided to submit my resume. It was nice that I knew that by doing this I wasn't making a commitment to anything, but by doing this I might start to open some doors.
One day after school that week I met with a friend who works in our district office. I totally respect her opinion; she's good at giving me ideas to think about that I never would have thought of before. After discussing the opening at McGraw-Hill, she mentioned to me the possibility of working with her friend, Mary, at a company called Math Solutions. Apparently it's a company that does professional development for math teachers. They've mostly worked in the K-6 age group but are now expanding into junior high and high school.
I met with Mary yesterday for breakfast where I was able to find out a little more about the position with Math Solutions. It really sounds like a neat opportunity, the only worrisome thing being the possible amount of traveling that could be involved. While I love to travel, having 2 kids ages 6 and 9 who are involved in sports pretty much year-round could make things tough.
I've decided that I'm going to move forward with the possibility of working with Math Solutions. It's scary; my only "real" job has been as a teacher and I'm now looking at leaving my comfort zone.
My friend sent me this quote. It's so appropriate for where I am right now!
If you feel both excited and scared, that is it. If you're just excited and not afraid, there is no challenge, no stretching, no initiation; you are still in your safe zone, and growth is unavailable. If you're just afraid, there is no positive motivation. Why walk through a fear unless there is something you are walking toward? But if you are simultaneously turned on and frightened, do it and watch your growth skyrocket.
Alan Cohen
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