We are all going to die. I like my posts to be positive, but that's a reality. In fact, the reality of my own mortality is staring me straight in the eyes. I recently discovered that at the end of next school year, I will be eligible to retire. I started teaching way back in the Mesozoic era, so that is about right. That fact coupled with a landmark birthday coming up for me very soon has made me look at the future in a new light.
I've thought about what I will do if I retire. The state the present economy is that I can make more retired and working part time than I can teaching full time. Money is absolutely one of the last reasons I became a teacher and Mr. Tejano is blessed with a very good job and won' t be retiring for at least another 15 years, but I still need to take full stock of things.
These are some part time jobs I am considering since I won't be ready just to sit at home:
1. Website design- I create and manage our district's websites, but I would need some more training to be cutting edge.
2. Wal Mart greeter- I am seriously considering this. I LOVE meeting people. I don't know about the shift work, though.
3. Tractor driver- I learned to drive a tractor when I was 9 and I love to plow. Something about the rhythm and symmetry of it appeals to me.
4. Grant proposal development- I HATE writing grants, but it's another job I do for my school district and is something I could possibly use to help non-profits.
5. Library clerk- To me, being in a room filled with books is Shangri-La.
6. Educational Consultant- I could still keep my toes in education, although I would be working with teachers and administrators instead of kids. I have a few standing offers for this.
If you have any ideas for me, please, let me hear! And, if you could pick any part time job, what would you be doing and why?
Oh, be the Library clerk!!
ReplyDeleteLandmark birthday? You must be turning 40?
don't be a Walmart greeter, Sam's Club pays better!!
Your list was great...The world is yours!!
Jamie: Oh I wish I was turning 40 again! I worked in the library when I was in college and loved it. I'd be wanting to read all the books in there, though, is my concern!
ReplyDeleteYou have a way with people, Shelly. You have a wonderful habit of making people feel right instead of wrong. I think a gregarious person like you would be perfect as a greeter or receptionist not only at a Wal-mart but in any kind of setting where you represent a company and interact with the public. Other examples would include an upscale restaurant, medical or dental offices, a convention center, the tourist industry, the chamber of commerce or even politics. I would love to work in a library because it's one of the few places left on earth where you can expect peace and quiet and where people usually adhere to a reasonable code of conduct. I like your tractor idea, too. I worked in a potato chip plant operating a fork lift and I enjoyed it very much. You are also an asset to the educational system and any job in which you could continue to help shape youth either directly or indirectly would be time well spent.
ReplyDeleteShady: I am truly humbled by your very kind words- thank you! I hope that I will be doing something that keeps me working with people, but if not that, then at least something interesting. I do think the tourist industry would be fun, and we have beaches near us, so maybe that's something I could look into, as well. Thank you so much for you great ideas and kind words, my friend- they are of wonderful help to me!
ReplyDeleteShelly, I think all of your ideas for part-time work are terrific! It might be nice to do a combination of things from the consulting that's readily available to you to driving a tractor to perhaps working for a tutoring service (or setting up your own) so you can keep working with kids. The lovely thing about retiring earlier than you had planned is that you're still young enough and have the energy for multiple pursuits. I've seen a lot of people defer their dreams until the traditional age and then be too tired to pursue them. I'm doing the writing now that took a back seat to more profitable pursuits in the past 15 years and it's fine. But it would have been so lovely to get a head start in my 50's until waiting until after 65! Go for it!!
ReplyDeleteDr. Kathy: The combination of things is very appealing to me because I don't think I would get bored with it. And whatever I do, I want to be involved with kids somehow, so the tutoring service is a great idea. I still can't quite wrap my head around the idea that it might actually be happening to me after next school year instead of eons into the future!
ReplyDeleteMy best wishes for you at the eve of your present job. I can already feel the loss the school will be facing once you retire. You are an awesome educator. It is too bad that age has to define when and how we stop working. The school can really benefit from your presenc. The story you told us in your last blog makes me understand that even opening your own private school could be sinch for you ( other than finances ofcourse). Also # 6 in your choices is good. Enjoy the rest of the school year:)
ReplyDeleteMunir: Thank you for your very kind comments! I still may not retire after next year, and in fact my school administrators want me to stay on as long as I can. It is up to me, so I am trying to explore all my options. Whatever I did, I would still want to have something to do with education and kids, even if it is volunteering somewhere. And, #6 is attractive to me because I can set my own work schedule, unlike the others. Thank you so much- I am really enjoying this year so far. Have a wonderful rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to be considering this with retirement!! I'd go with the library clerk; I often thought it would be neat to restack books or videos in a video store. Something soothing with the methodical nature of it I would imagine! But I do agree, if you do retire next year, finding something part time I think would be ideal to keep you out there, brain engaged, etc!
ReplyDeletebetty
Betty: I can hardly believe it might actually happen. I do love putting things in order, so shelving books would be right up my alley. And yes, brain will be engaged for as long as I have breath!
ReplyDeleteNow the only thing I found disturbing here was when I first started reading your article I thought you had found you had a terminal illness. I must say I've found retirement to be another chapter filled with life and excitement. Life anything in life it's what you put into it. Any you dear Shelly put volumes of living in every day! You'll be contributing to our world for a long, long time!
ReplyDeletePS..I'm VERY glad I had the wrong idea of your post content!
Hugs~
Hi, Dear Shelly. (this is Orchid)
ReplyDeleteMy husband had retired last year and I understand you are thinking about how you can make your life worthwhile after that. And surely how exciting!!!
Oh, I am so sorry that I cannot come up with the proper advice like the others. But I was surprised many options you have. Haha, I have NO driver's license. I'd love library clerk, though.
Much Love, my friend, Orchid*
I'm torn between library clerk and walmart greeter. You would be wonderful at both and I think you could be happy in either job. Pretty cool you get to pick a whole new career that does not include lippy tweens... (Although you are obviously wonderful at that job as well and the kids adore you...)
ReplyDeleteSush: Eek! Just retirement peeking around the corner and thankfully no illness. I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying your retirement because some folks just seem to settle in to their rocking chairs and wait to die. I want to be like you and be very, very active in retirement!
ReplyDeleteOrchid: I do love being around books almost as much as I love being around people. And, as you said, I am happy I have so many options, many more than I have listed here. I'm excited to see how this next chapter of life unfolds. Thank you, dear friend Orchid!
ReplyDeleteCrystal: Both those are very appealing to me, although the Wal Mart gig would almost certainly include shift work, which I want no part of. Right now I can't imagine not facing a room full of teenagers everyday. It's just beyond my realm of imagination since I've done it for so long. Thank you for the kind words!
You have so many options it would be hard to choose. I've always loved libraries myself. My mom used to run the library at her retirement building and I enjoyed helping her. If you hate writing grants then I hope you don't choose that job. It is important to love what you do. I know from your blogs you are an amazing teacher and children certainly need teachers like you. I can see why you are having trouble deciding what to do!
ReplyDeleteBelle: You're right- life's too short to spend doing something you don't love. I want my next career to be interesting, out of the box, and something I wouldn't have thought of doing earlier in life, although some might think my list a little bizarre. Thank you for our very kind comments!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I love that you want to stay active and use your skills to help people. I think all of those sound great, especially the Wal-Mart greeter one. I can see you doing well at that, even though I've never "seen" you. I can just tell you have a very warm personality!
ReplyDeleteKelley: Some that i've talked with about this are horrified I'm not picking things in line with my degrees, but I think it would be great fun to be a Wal Mart greeter. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you should do the grant writing if you hate it. So I am thinking a greeter or library clerk. I would want to work in a coffee shop part time. I love people and making coffee.
ReplyDeleteMissed Periods: I thought about becoming a barista for Starbucks, even though I don't drink coffee. I think it would be fun to make it and serve it to the people who do like it.
ReplyDelete