On Monday night, November 11, 2013, I submitted by letter of
resignation in order to retire from education. I know these boyish good looks
makes one wonder why I would be retiring at such a young age (insert sarcastic comment
here). Actually, this past September I turned 60 years of age and while that’s certainly
not a magic number, it did make me realize that I’m getting older.
I believe the major turning point in my decision-making
process was over my birthday in September.
I took a week’s vacation to accompany my wife on our first church Mission Trip
to Gallup, New Mexico, to work with the Navajo Indians and the Rehoboth
Christian School. Here’s what I learned.
I learned that after 39 years in education, I have had
tunnel vision concerning education, education reform, educational technology
and basically, all things education. I learned that there is a whole new world
out there that I know nothing about.
I’ve always tried to be up to date on things that are happening; and while I
think I understand our country, it’s the small things that I know nothing
about. I want to explore and go on adventures with my bride of almost 40 years.
I want to have a hobby that I can spend time on, I enjoy playing golf, but I’ve
only played a handful of times over the past three years. I want to read books
that are not educational books or leadership books that my kids use to make fun
of while I was reading.
I want to care for my wife, like she has cared for me over
the past 40 years. She has taken such good care of me and our kids, nursed me
back to health after a major health scare in 2004, taken care of our kids while
I was teaching and coaching, attending a school event, and working on advanced
degrees. In 2001, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. There is no known
cure for Parkinson’s. I want to help with the Iowa Parkinson’s Disease
Association to help find a cure.
I am so blessed to have been involved in education for 39
years and I have plenty of great friends and even greater stories about my life
in education. I have put my faith and trust in the Lord and I’m sure He has a
plan for the rest of my life. Now, I have to find out what it is and move on
from there. Remember when I said I wanted to go on an adventure? Starting July
1, 2014, the adventure begins.
Onward.
