After 21 years in public education, after teaching English, supervising teachers, integrating technology, advising the yearbook, starting a student environmental group, coaching softball, basketball, soccer and gymnastics, running student counseling groups, chairing sabbatical committees, ed tech committees, professional development committees, serving on hiring committees, being public information officer, mentoring new teachers and goodness knows what else, today I notified my superintendent that as of May 15 I would be leaving the district for parts somewhat unknown.
To put it simply, I quit.
This was not an easy decision: great job working with great people at a great school doing fun stuff with technology just three years away from bennies for life vs….um…something else. More than a few have questioned my sanity. But here is the undeniable truth in all of this: my brain, for better or worse, is more in the blog than in the building. For the past year and a half, I’ve been basically working two jobs, missing my kids, frustrating my wife more often than she deserves, feeling like I am less and less effective in what the taxpayers are paying me to do. Something had to give. Add in a pinch of growing distate for public school practice in general, and a serious yen for the time to tap into the creativity that the Web now holds, and at the end of the day, I really didn’t have much choice in the matter.
Despite the butterflies, I feel incredibly lucky that I have been given this chance. I’ve made the point here many times that in large measure, blogging has changed my life. That still sounds somewhat strange to say, but I can’t deny it. The learning and writing that I’ve done and the connections I’ve made over the last four-and-a-half years would not have happened sans blog. Now I’m not naïve enough to suggest that what the blog has wrought in my life translates to everyone else’s. Nor do I hold out much hope of making a living as a learner…er…I mean, blogger, though I have to say, that might be nice. Nor do I think blogs will save the world, education, or (insert your noun here.) But there is energy and a potential in this tool (and the others) and in these connections that for me, at least, is incredibly intriguing. One thing is clear: something important is happening. I’m not sure yet what it means for the world or for education or (your noun). But I am sure what it means for me.
There is much to learn.
So what comes May 16th? Not sure, really. More reading, writing, parenting, husbanding time. More and better blogging, and more blogvangelism, I hope. Another book, or two, perhaps. New connections. Another path, one that I hope leads to satisfying, engaging, urgent work. Urgent work. Or something completely unknown.
This much I do know. We need to get everyone, and I mean everyone access to the knowledge and people and ideas that now make up the Web. Educators need to be a part of this evolution, and maybe the revolution, too. I don’t yet have a clear idea what role I can play in that, but now, at least, I’ll be open to it should it come.
Wish me luck…tonight I tell my wife…;0)
Well what else is there to say but Congratulations! Your school’s loss will be 10,000 other schools’ gain.
As one who left secondary teaching at age 48 to follow a very different path, and have never regretted it, I say – GO FOR IT…
…and may luck add somewhat to your very considerable skills.
WOW WILL!
You will never leave with having blog access!
Good luck on your ventures!
Heather Dowd – oxford central
(hcrhs grad, ’92)
WOW WILL!
You will never leave with having blog access!
Good luck on your ventures!
Heather Dowd – oxford central
(hcrhs grad, ’92)
Sweet.
Good luck Will – your post struck a chord with me because I did a similar thing (left 25 years in I.T.) almost exactly one year ago. Hang in there on the ‘wobbly days’, feel free to shoot me an e/mail if you ar e looking for moral support. Be kind to yourself and enjoy the creative side of your new adventure.
I’m going to re-read my blog entries from a year ago to remind myself why I made the move!!
Fang – Mike Seyfang – LearnDog
Wow…congratulations! That’s exciting.
You’ve already had so much impact around the world through your writing and presentations. I only imagine how you’ll increase that impact with more time to devote to it.
Lucky us, Will. I think we should be saying more than congratulations and good luck; we should be saying thank you. So, thank you. I, for one, look forward to what the future brings you, and what you bring the future.
-Mark
Wow! What a brave move! It must have been a difficult decision. I think you and the world will both be better off in the long run though. Good luck, although I’m sure you’ll do fine.
Hello Will
I have been reading about you for several months now, much thanks to John Pederson who I met at a teachers’ training about blogging.
You have SO made my day!
(I finally had to register and comment.)
A few weeks ago I walked into my superintendents office and told him that I was leaving to start a charter school. My mother thinks I’m crazy because I have been teaching for about 10 years, and, heaven forbid, I might be giving up my pension. (I’m 35.) Now I can tell her about you! : ) Way to follow your head / heart / dreams / intuition.
Thank you for making us think about it all.
Amy Hendrickson
Will,
I understand your decision and wish for you the best of success.
Joe
Will…best of luck. Thanks for the inspiration to get me into blogging as part of my teaching last year. I’m itching to get started again. Looking forward to seeing how your thinking develops outside the walls.
steve
Congratulations, Will!
I’m sure this was a hard decision to make but I certainly admire the courage it takes to radically change your life in order to concentrate on something you love. I’m also so very jealous!
Good luck and, I probably don’t need to say this, stay in touch. 🙂
Whoa…you guys are being WAY too kind…but then again, that’s one reason it’s all come to this in the first place. My humble thanks.
Exciting news! I can’t wait to see what happens next…
They say that you KNOW when it’s time to move on. You’ve suspected it for a while, it seems, but now you KNOW it. If it’s true that you can’t steal second with one foot on first, TAKE OFF! Go for it! Good things await.
Dang… you know, Philadelphia is in the midst of this very cool reform movement… I’m sure we could use some more leaders here. 😉
(I know… not going to happen.)
Congrats Will… and needless to say, I’ll be reading and following along.
What a dialectic set of reactions you’ve received. Some folks think you’re crazy and everyone here says congratulations.
You’re a brave man Will. I know how hard a decision like this is for a man with a family; you have my utmost respect and admiration for following your passion. In your previous post you linked to Creating Passionate Users post about how we should focus on being f’n amazing. Isn’t it remarkable how the blog posts coalesce around certain issues “just in time?” I know we’re going to read about the f’n amazing results of your new focus. I look forward to shaking hands with you one day.
Congratulations!
So this means that my Bloglines account will be even more unmanageable, that your wife’s gain is my fiancé’s loss, that my Mac will be opened on my lap for 30 minutes longer each day and that, having managed to get a haircut for the first time in four months last week, I will no longer ever be able to find time to get it chopped again.
Cool.
I’ll buy you a pint when you come to Edinburgh. There’s a great pub where UB40s (the unemployed) can get cheaper drink 😉
Only kidding, enjoy the richness of your time and the other riches will follow. Bravo!
woohoo!
Open the floodgates, run to the hills… (hm mm… sorry)
This is a very nice development. One of the real leaders of the community with the time to put things together… hee hee. watch out.
Of course, I do wonder how long it’s going to be before Will’s phone starts ringing off the hook, who of you wouldn’t want him on your team?
keep us in the loop Will, we’re happy for you,
good luck. dave.
Hi Will
Congratulations – this must have been hard. But having been out there for 10 years now, I could ever go back. You have built such a reputation that I am sure that you will find yourself in great demand.
All the very best
Rob
Will, I applaud your decision.
As many have stated in the other responses, you have had a profound effect on so many people already via the blog and the many many presentations that you have done and will continue to do in the future. As teachers we are givers and far too many times we end up giving away too much of our time for the sake of others and our loved ones get what is left. We will no doubt all be winners with you having more time to focus on all the things you love!
Congratulations.
John Evans
Will,
Congratulations. What an exciting move for you professionally. You have made my trainings more relevant whenever I train a group of teachers as I always recommend they read your site to really challenge their thinking as educators. If we are truly trying to help our students to become lifelong learners, then we must model it ourselves. What a great model you are.
Many thanks for all you have taught me (and will teach me) through your postings.
Karen Janowski
What do the kids say? “you da man Will!”
Change takes courage. Good luck…I can totally see you as an educational reporter for CNN 😉
Best,
Amy
Will,
I think you should apply the great quote you wrote in the previous post to yourself- “think about ways to enhance your unique strengths so you can achieve your individual amazingness.” I can only imagine where this will lead but we’re all be the better for what you can teach us as you travel and “blog” your journey. I can’t help but think the right doors will open for you. Go for it!
Best,
Anne
Wow.
Hey, Will: let’s build real school together.
Actually, that’s not quite it either. Take two:
Hey, Will: thanks for the breathtaking commitment to building real school together.
My only concern is that taking oneself out of the day-to-day can make it harder to keep that “practitioner’s feel.” Someone with your imagination and passion, though, isn’t likely to lose that feel, ever.
Excelsior!
Congrats Will! I feel as though I could have written that post. I’m not to that point yet, but getting there faster by the day. Blame it on youth at this point. I’m excited for you and your new adventure. I raise a glass to you and your future.
Jeff
Good luck to you Will!
I am really looking forward to reading more of your posts. I hope that you will be able to make it to Canada for a few workshops 🙂
Take Care
Quentin
Hi Will
I will continue to read your blog with renewed interest – to see how it all pans out for you in the future. I hope to meet you in person one day, until then, I wish you the best of luck.
Carol
This can only lead to bigger and better things for you and I can’t wait to see where the road winds up. Congrats to you, and your family as well. And I think we’re all going to be reaping the benefits of this change for years to come!
I’m overwhelmed. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to comment. It’s humbling. And it’s heady.
And Gardner, how cool it is to think of it that way, all of us building a real school together. Hmmm…
Hi, Will,
I got to know about you and your adventure through the “Becomeing a Webhead” group. You know, I think you are doing exactly what many of us, educators, would love to do, but don’t have the courage, support, stomach, whatever…I just loved to read your story. “I quit” is the turning point. I’ve done that many times, although I’m ONLY 34! People thought I was insane, but I always went after my innermost desires, what moved me, what made me a better, happier person. I found that teaching and now teaching using technology.
So, I’m really glad you made your move to a life you feel will be more rewarding.
The good thing for me is that because of your change, I got to know weblogg-ed, you, your work, and am eager to read more about blogs in education.
Carla Arena in Brasilia, Brazil
Hi, Will!
Kudos to you on a fantastic and brave decision!
I wish I had the courage to do so. I’ve been teaching for 30 years in the public school system, but I’m more and more disappointed with the Portuguese education system. What gives me all the energy to keep going is the kids’ enthusiasm for English and the integration of new technologies.
If you think of creating a virtual school, you can count on my collaboration. I’ve been saying for quite some time that I’d love to end my career (8-10 more years to go) teaching online.
BTW, how did your wife react? 😉
Best to you!
Teresa Almeida d’Eca (Lisbon, Portugal)
Wow, takes guts. Good luck to you. I am behind you by a few years (with blogs, wikis and rss) and am already struggling how to keep up with what I could become very passionate about and juggling the day to day school responsibilities and family. But now that you are no longer dependent on the educational community for a paycheck per se, it will be easier to say what you want to say.
One thing that I have not seen mentioned is that someone is going to have to force the “re-tooling” of education. Much like those in industry, who have to learn new skills to stay competitive, so must teachers. The PD hours provided during the regular calendar is not enough. We have to deal with the fact that in today’s environment the 6 hour – 9 month calendar does not provide enough opportunity for re-tooling. Perhaps unions are standing in the way of the educational process and only those that dare to go to the “other side” can facilitate change.