Taking the Leap (part 2)

My wife and I both realized there were immense positives to our current positions. We worked in a well-respected district and school.  We both spent considerable time developing curriculum and building strong relationships with students and families. I had worked to build a strong visual arts program at the middle school level, and she had designed a challenging, yet fun and engaging Advanced Placement Psychology course. It would be difficult to leave behind our accomplishments, teaching environments, and friendships. We’d be leaving behind family, a pet, and an area of the country that we deeply loved. As difficult as it was, I knew that something different had to happen. I had experienced “burnout” during a particularly rough year and never really recovered my energy and desire to benefit the school reputation or the administration. I made the decision to take leave for a year, in hopes that I could return refreshed - or possibly to a different school within the district (I had worked at the same school for over ten years).  My wife was also beginning to experience burnout.  We both needed something different … something new. 

We made our decision to move toward a big change early in the school year. As early as it was, around October (when the summer’s idealistic teacher dreams implode), it was probably not early enough to start on a path to teaching internationally. Most international schools seem to hire around December or January, with most international job fairs occurring around that time. I was very much looking forward to an entire year where I could focus on my own art, music, and writing - as long as our finances could sustain it. I liked the idea of living abroad, but still had some reservations. My wife, on the other hand, has a passion for international travel.  Knowing that I was fully “on board” with living abroad, she jumped at the opportunity and registered with an international teacher hiring service. I should have known that with her qualifications she stood a great chance at being hired. I should have started getting rid of some of our numerous possessions at this point, before I felt I would forever be trapped in a heap of IKEA bookshelves, unread books, wine glasses, and kitchen utensils.

This is #2  in a series that chronicles my own experiences as an artist and teacher ditching the daily grind and moving from Seattle, WA to Shanghai, China.