Reflections of Retiring Again -- Maybe This Time I'll Get it Right

I’m retiring — again. I did this seven and a half years ago but it didn’t stick. I was retired for three months before I returned to work, this time half time. I’ve been teaching mornings since, excepting during the pandemic.

This is not entirely voluntary. I’ve been thinking of hanging ‘em up for awhile now but the fact that there is no work for me has made the decision easier. I was going to be furloughed effective next week but with the prospects for future work bleak I decided to call it a career.

International language schools in the U.S. have seen a severe decline in enrollment recently owing to the fact that people in other countries are increasingly hesitant to come to this country. Let’s call this the Trumpy effect. Also it has become increasingly difficult to get a visa — even a temporary student one. This is another product of the Trumpy effect.

Fifteen months ago the school I’m leaving was running four classes. Next week it’ll be two. I’m the odd man out. 

I’m excited to have so much more time to write never-to-be-published novels (and maybe one or two that will be published). I also rather like the idea of not having to get up quite so early. Getting out of bed at 6:15 instead of 5:30 feels like luxury. I also won’t have to grade any more papers or deal with that goddamned smart board or see students staring at their fucking phones while I’m talking.

But I’ll miss it, especially as I’ve still got a little left in the tank. Yesterday was a terrific day in the classroom, I was in top form and students were appreciative. After class in addition to the usual goodbyes and thank you I got a couple of “great classes.” I’m still innovating too. Even in my last week I’m looking for the new and improved. I’m proud of that.

I’ve been in education for forty years. Most of the time was in public schools with middle schoolers — that’s a strange and wonderful calling. There was a school year I was off to stay at home with our first born and there was nearly two years off during the pandemic but other than that it’s been steady work.

There’s an interesting kind of power to being a teacher. You have a dozen or so people sitting there looking at you waiting for your next words, wondering what’s next on the agenda. But teaching is not what they used to call a “power trip.” It’s all about connections, orchestrating, showing, inspiring, motivating, cajoling, explaining and understanding. With a dash of entertainment mixed in. For me this included humor. It can be a helluva lot of fun and I’m going to miss it.

Is there a chance for another comeback? At 72 that seems highly unlikely. Anyway I’ve got a grandson on the way. I’ve got a wife to hang out with. I’ve got writing to do. It’s a big ole world and some of it exists outside a classroom.