I’m that person who’s been known to stop reading half-way through a mystery novel and read the last few pages. Sometimes the suspense is too much and I need to know how it all turns out. Sitting with uncertainty is a challenge for me. I’m trying to figure out my next steps in my retirement… Continue reading Impatient At The Crossroads
Tag: retiredteacher
Doing The Time Warp
I’ve noticed an annoying time trap, now that I’m retired. Errands that used to take only a part of my working day, now seem to take the entire day to complete. My weekday calendar is dotted with a little something every day. When a friend asks me if I’m busy on Tuesday, a quick check… Continue reading Doing The Time Warp
Nothing Compares To Being There
In the digital age, it’s easy to think of progress as something that is created by new technology. A new app or Zoom conferencing or assistive technology can, and do, make life easier in many ways. I see tech companies plowing money into developing assistive devices for seniors.* But, tech. is a weak substitute for… Continue reading Nothing Compares To Being There
First Year On The Roller Coaster
Being a guest at a retirement party feels a lot different when you’ve been retired for almost a year. There’s the nostalgia of a wonderful celebration with colleagues, the speeches and the singing tribute. For me, there was the huge high of finishing something I was proud of, and the relief of finally letting go… Continue reading First Year On The Roller Coaster
To Label Or Not To Label
Being kind to others involves letting them do their own self-discoveries. As a teacher, I was able to read my students fairly well. It would take only a few moments after meeting my class in September, to realize which kids might need extra support. It’s a skill teachers develop over time, after interacting with many… Continue reading To Label Or Not To Label
Hold Me Accountable
Investigating a new opportunity can be so daunting that we avoid doing it. I know I do. Part of my retirement journey, has been to follow different paths that look interesting, and to see if they hold possibilities for the next stage of my life. Most of this trip has been interesting and self-motivating. However,… Continue reading Hold Me Accountable
Granny Secrets
I learned to crochet during lockdown. Along with a lot of other people, I found the repetitive motions, soft textures and cheerful colours a welcome sanctuary from the extreme stress of the news. Why does crocheting sooth my brain? Sensory Activities For Students. Crocheting is among some of the recommended sensory activities that can help… Continue reading Granny Secrets
Cheerleading At Any Age
I love my cheerleaders, but I don’t tell them often enough. Our cheerleaders are the people who support us and cheer us on, when we embark on new projects. As a teacher, they were the ones who supported me when I tried new lessons, or methods to teach the harder to reach students. As a… Continue reading Cheerleading At Any Age
Looking For A Mentor
Having a model to follow is a valuable way to learn. As a teacher, I knew that telling my class something would have a limited impact. However, modelling the behaviour gave them the ability to see the idea in action and understand it better. We all need mentors in our lives to show us how… Continue reading Looking For A Mentor
Multitasking Myth
I used to be able to do it. I did it for years and it was necessary for my job. But now, I’ve lost my ability to multitask. I used to be able to re-direct three students while assessing another student, walk across the room to grab a missing worksheet, and drink my tea. All… Continue reading Multitasking Myth
Retired, And Now What? 