Change is never easy. Sometimes it’s exciting, but other times, especially when it’s unexpected, it can be the hardest thing you’ll ever face.
On September 16th, 2024, my time as a teacher at Willow Creek Middle School came to an end. I was let go — not for misconduct, but because my physical and mental health made it impossible to keep up with the demands of the job. It was one of the most difficult days of my life.
I still hold my teaching license and remain eligible to teach in any district nationwide. And while leaving that building was painful, I was given the dignity of time — three hours on Monday and another hour on Friday — to clear out my classroom, pack up years of lessons, and take in what that chapter meant to me.
The months since haven’t been a straight line. There have been ups and downs: moments of relief, moments of grief, and many days where I’ve wondered what’s next. Then, earlier this year, at the age of 52, I was officially diagnosed with ADHD. That diagnosis hit me like a puzzle piece finally clicking into place — explaining not just struggles in the classroom, but patterns throughout my life.
While it doesn’t erase the challenges, it gives me a new lens for understanding myself. And it’s part of why I’m choosing to keep moving forward.
This season is about resilience. About reimagining what it means to teach, create, and contribute when the traditional path no longer fits. My passion for education, for helping students grow, and for creating meaningful content hasn’t faded — it’s just evolving.
In the months ahead, I’ll be working on projects that bring those passions to life: new lessons, resources for educators, and content that tells the truth about both education and the messy, human side of life.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this transition. Your encouragement has been a lifeline. This isn’t the end of the story — it’s the beginning of a new one. And I can’t wait to share it with you.
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Follow along here and on my social platforms as I keep building, learning, and teaching in new ways.