Life Changes... Retirement Pending!

by Ann

Change is exciting and scary at the same time; depending upon the change, one more than the other.  After a 31-year career first as a teacher, then as an instructional coach, and finally as a professional development specialist with the same school district, I am retiring! 

Me with my WONDERFUL director, Marlo as I recieve the compulsory retirement placque.  To the right is Judy who is new to our office and has added so much energy and fun to our group.  To the left is Sue, one of my Friday happy hour buddies.

Here’s the list of why I’m excited:

·         More time to do what I want to do.

·         I won’t feel like I am constantly transitioning from one place or activity to the next.

·         The retirement system for teachers in Arizona is good, so it will be nice getting a “paycheck” without having to go to work for it.

·         I won’t have to get up early and rush out in the morning.

·         I won’t feel like I need to be in bed by 9:30 each night.

·         I am hoping that new doors of opportunities will open once I have more flexibility.

·         I can finally clean out closets, drawers, etc.

Here’s the list of why I’m scared:

·         I like my job and the people I work with a great deal.

·         I keep current on technology and other aspects of life in general because of what I do at work.

·         To a certain extent my identity, purpose, and sense of contribution have been defined by my career.

·         I have to figure out the world of insurance, where it has always been part of my benefit package with no choices up to now.

·         The word “retired” makes me think “old.”  --  Can I say I am just making a career change?  (Ok- I guess that won’t work unless I get another career going, and I’m not ready to do that yet.)

·         I’m so used to being crazy-busy that I may not know what to do to fill my time (although I really don’t think this will be a problem.)

·         I’ll have no excuses for not clearing out drawers, closets, etc!

As pictured above, Marlo, the  fun and fabulous director of my office planned a retirement happy hour in honor of Elaine, our office secretary, who is also retiring, and me on the patio of a local Mexican restaurant on December 13, which in Arizona is typically a safe bet for an afternoon outdoor get-together.  Threats of rain were present, but the weather held out for our event, which was wonderful.  I asked my dear friend, colleague, and former student teacher, Kathy to take pics for this post, for which she did a fabulous job.  As I just looked at them tonight getting ready for this post, it once again made me realize how fortunate I have been to work in such a wonderful district and have many opportunities to shift gears in my career to stay excited and fresh with what I have done throughout my career.

Even though today, December 21, 2012 is my last “official day” I am so lucky to be able to continue to work for a 2/5 contract, which means that I will work two days (four half days?) on a retirement contract.  The best of all worlds!

If you have the energy to indulge me, take a look at Kathy’s pics from the happy hour below!

Kim, Ed, and Stephaine from our Career and Technical Education office.

In spite of threats of rain, the weather was wonderful.  The ladies next to Sue are more of my pals in the CTE office, Cindy and Martha.

Kathy, Michele, and Kim are my partners in crime at the CTE office.

Peggy, from our office, and Denis,one of our valued Industrial Tech teachers. 
Don't the snacks and margaritas look wonderful?

On the left is Kathy, the photographer (huh?) and my dear, dear friend Lisa who was my student, then my student teacher, then my colleague, and at one point my boss!

And finally, another dear friend and colleague, Kim.  I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life.

On to the next adventure in life!