big decision

Thanks for the well wishes, guys. Terry--I turned 58 today. One of my co special ed teachers suggested that I could pimp myself out free lance writing IEP's for her and a few others to make some extra cash. And there's always pick up work around here at ACT and Pearson for old teachers. Or Ii could always work as a stripper if I keeping doing my 10 sit-ups a day. Lots of pssibiilties!

I'm green with envy. Counting the years till retirement-if it ever comes. Hubby firefighting retirement can start in 8 years when he turns 49. 8 years seems sooooo far away. Twenty years till SS kicks in--if it there by then. Oh well, one can dream.

Good luck with your decision. I know the paperwork for the special ed students are killer, but the parents of special ed kids appriciate it. Our oldest started in the LD classes when he was in second grade. Something about the fact he heard things backwards made it hard for him to learn to read. Something that nearly drove me crazy. I don't think he or I would have made it through with the special ed teachers he had. Thanks from all the parents of the kids who needed a good, caring teacher that I'm sure you were. Enjoy your freedom from the work monster.

Beside "Mom", teaching is the hardest, most important job of all... so God Bless you to all the fine teachers out there
But one does tend you lose their patence as one gets older

.
I have a neighbor friend who retired after 32 years of teaching--- she agonized over it, fretted, worried, has sleepless nights.
She did it..and hasn't looked back once- she glows and wonders what she fussed about- She's always all smiles now- and young enough to get out there and still do stuff at her leisure.
My brother, sister and their kids are all teachers (SIL is a principle)
Good for you!
I have easy 10 more years...sniff/sniff

Congrats Connie


Rick

Wow! Congratulations, Connie. Sounds like a great decision. I'll be 59 this summer, and it just dawned on me that I could probably retire in 3 years (we could hold off on me starting social security until I hit full retirement age, and live off of Connie's social security and what we have in our retirement accounts.) The realization just came up and smacked me in the face the other day. I think, like Jeff, I would consider that my crossover point, but if my current job is no longer something I like then I think stepping away would be just fine. It's kind of exciting to realize I could step away from full-time work.
I'll be envious of you come August when you get to enjoy that hot tub!

Steve