I’ve been waiting for this moment for the better part of my life. I’ve been a high school teacher for 25 years, with about 2 years credited to me for unused sick leave. I took the first step in figuring out my retirement numbers from the state.
Several weeks ago, I attended a teachers’ institute day in my district. One of the workshops was about retirement. I knew I met the years for early retirement, but I didn’t know the details of what the district offered for 27 years of teaching service.
I always assumed certain benefits because previous teachers spoke of the retirements in the district. I expected to retire in several years because I understood my retirement numbers differently.
I was in a Zoom workshop meeting when I annoyed the speaker with many questions. I couldn’t believe what I heard. The retirement package was even better than I thought. With an audience of about 400 on Zoom, the speaker finally said, “Leave your name, email, and phone number in our company chat, and you can have an official retirement interview.”
I have that retirement interview on Thursday to go through my retirement package. I always knew I would retire early and do something else. My next job while writing online will be so far removed from teaching that it will require skills I don’t use as a teacher.
I want to drive a delivery truck delivering mail to residents and businesses.
Everything I assumed about my retirement package was wrong because I listened to second-hand sources.
With the newfound information, I have an extra step in my walk on campus. I don’t plan to say anything until I turn in my official retirement papers.
It still hasn’t hit me yet, but I’ve dreamt about this moment since I started my teaching career.
Takeaway
If I can take away something about my newfound revelation, it is this: never assume anything from second-hand sources. I went to the source to get the information I needed.
Final Thoughts
I’m in the home stretch of my teaching career, even if I have to stay one more year. What’s different now is that I used to see so many of my colleagues in the same position when I was a young teacher.
I’m now in a position to retire from teaching and do something else. Writing online and writing income came at the right time because I’d like to write regardless of my next job after teaching.
I’m looking forward to writing about my next venture in life and finishing my memoir.
Best wishes Don!