Hi everyone,
I retired on July 1, 2006. I made the choice for several reasons. Financially, It made good sense in my county to teach 30 plus 3 to get the best pension package. I also have built up a pretty good private pension fund and I'm working as much as I want to as a music publisher and folk singer. There were professional and health issues as well but, as always, it seems that the money plays the most important role.Because my money issues seem to be working out very well, I was able to retire at the age of 55 with 33 years of teaching behind me. I'm young enough to start a new career, stay active, work out, run that half-marathon, teach on weekends and summers and still take advantage of the relaxed discipline of retirement.
One issue that I'm dealing with is an emotional one. I felt for 33 years that I was doing a job that was essential and that was really having a positive effect with the kids, the school, and the community. I felt IMPORTANT! I was dedicated, spent a lot of my own money to get training and in-service (see the previous thread about professional days) and always showed up every day with a smile and a song for every child that crossed the threshold of my classroom. All of you know this feeling as being THE reason to continue teaching as long as possible.I miss it. I DON"T miss the administrative hassles, the testing programs, the strange schedule changes and calender fiascos that made the job very difficult at times. I DON"T miss the physical and mental stress that was constant and grew unbearable by the end of my career.
I DO miss the kids, and the feeling that what I'm doing is important. I know that what I'm doing now in performing and publishing is ... kind of ... important, but not nearly so as in-the-classroom teaching. It's this feeling of doing important things that is missing. I now sympathize with the sports star who can no longer physically, or mentally perform up to the standards that they require of themselves. To be able to walk away at that point instead of hanging on "beyond your time" is a noble act, yet difficult. I never wanted to hang on too long, and I always knew that the time to leave teaching would be when the "baggage" got too heavy. I'm pretty sure that I've made the right decision. Transitions can be difficult though and I'm still working my way through this one.Having said all that, I LOVE BEING RETIRED! I love having been a teacher. I love the time to sit an write, compose, create, play golf, travel, volunteer for things and do everything that ever got postponed for the last 30 years. Retirement happens! Embrace it!
