Comments on: When Is It Time To Relocate? http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/when-is-it-time-to-relocate/ Providing HOPE for educators since 2007 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Clinthttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/when-is-it-time-to-relocate/#comment-6805 Clint Tue, 11 May 2010 01:52:59 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=917#comment-6805 I have moved throughout my whole life, 30 times in less than 30 years. My wife has experienced the same nomadic lifestyle. Recently I found myself in a job situation that was very hard to deal with. The company began closing facilities, co-workers and peers were let go, and relocation offers started being passed around to consolidate personnel within facilities. I looked at both an external and internal job offer. It seemed like the right thing to do given the situation. You know, get off of the sinking ship before she goes under. After searching around, I was offered both an external and internal job! After struggling through the decision, I rejected the external job. Then later on, I rejected the other offer. Am I crazy? Maybe. But for me, to relocate, or move on, was a bigger question than the immediate work scenario. Here is why I decided to stay put in a very bad situation.

First, I am not a prophet. Do I really know if the ship is sinking?
Second, tenure. 4 years is not much, but it is enough to merit hanging on at a company for a bit longer
Third, my outside work life. I have a lot of friends and good co-workers that I am not ready to say goodbye to
Fourth, history: Too many moves in my past. I need to plant roots. Oak Trees have roots, tumbleweeds move a around. I would rather be a tree.
Fifth, my mortgage, my church, and my kid’s school. They are not fifth in priority; it’s just the fifth thing that I listed. I did not want to upset the other institutions that I am a part of.
Sixth, Unemployment insurance and severance packages. If the ship does sink, the company has a nice severance package (then my resume is clean…no I QUIT on my resume). Let’s see who goes first, me or the “ship.”

Well, to each his own. Maybe I will regret staying around. But, sometimes the life that you have outside of work is worth riding out a job that might not be the best (until you find something else locally).

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]]> By: Jonathanhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/when-is-it-time-to-relocate/#comment-4072 Jonathan Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:20:38 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=917#comment-4072 The building I was in was getting out of control. I was on the union committee, and we were asking the principal to deal with the hallways. He would claim there was nothing he could do (which I expected), but my colleagues let him off the hook. People were being injured, not from violent incidents, but from the level of pushing and shoving that came, as a matter of course, from an overall lack of control. I made up my mind. I helped my best friend, who I'd help get a job with me, transfer out. And then I did. Took me a year and a half, beginning to end, decision to new job. I moved carefully. But once I decided, I set a timeline, I set myself on course, and I never looked back. The building I was in was getting out of control. I was on the union committee, and we were asking the principal to deal with the hallways. He would claim there was nothing he could do (which I expected), but my colleagues let him off the hook. People were being injured, not from violent incidents, but from the level of pushing and shoving that came, as a matter of course, from an overall lack of control.

I made up my mind. I helped my best friend, who I’d help get a job with me, transfer out. And then I did. Took me a year and a half, beginning to end, decision to new job. I moved carefully. But once I decided, I set a timeline, I set myself on course, and I never looked back.

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]]> By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/when-is-it-time-to-relocate/#comment-3778 Joel Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:44:06 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=917#comment-3778 Oh, of course. I'm not relying on the government to take care of me at retirement. I'm getting rid of debt and saving money like crazy. Great points! Oh, of course. I’m not relying on the government to take care of me at retirement. I’m getting rid of debt and saving money like crazy. Great points!

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]]> By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/when-is-it-time-to-relocate/#comment-3777 Joel Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:42:23 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=917#comment-3777 I think perhaps I live in a slightly less small, slightly less rural community on the US-Mexico border. If it weren't for tacos and salsa, I'd say I feel you pain. :) I think perhaps I live in a slightly less small, slightly less rural community on the US-Mexico border. If it weren’t for tacos and salsa, I’d say I feel you pain. :)

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]]> By: Allisonhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/when-is-it-time-to-relocate/#comment-3771 Allison Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:07:35 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=917#comment-3771 The economy shouldn't play any part in your decision. I think that's obvious, so I'll refrain from elaborating. I'm actually in the same situation myself. I live in a small, rural community on the US-Mexico border. Being originally from Chicago, this is a huge struggle. I am also an hour drive to the airport, then 2 connecting flights from any relatives. I hesitate because it's so difficult for my district to find science teachers and I have no idea who (if anyone) would fill my position if I left. But at the end of the day, you have to take care of yourself and make yourself happy first. Always. Because if your home life is stressful or difficult, whether due to a long commute or lack of social outlets or distance from family, that will reflect directly into the classroom. The economy shouldn’t play any part in your decision. I think that’s obvious, so I’ll refrain from elaborating.

I’m actually in the same situation myself. I live in a small, rural community on the US-Mexico border. Being originally from Chicago, this is a huge struggle. I am also an hour drive to the airport, then 2 connecting flights from any relatives.

I hesitate because it’s so difficult for my district to find science teachers and I have no idea who (if anyone) would fill my position if I left. But at the end of the day, you have to take care of yourself and make yourself happy first. Always. Because if your home life is stressful or difficult, whether due to a long commute or lack of social outlets or distance from family, that will reflect directly into the classroom.

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]]> By: Ravi Vermahttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/when-is-it-time-to-relocate/#comment-3753 Ravi Verma Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:47:52 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=917#comment-3753 In my opinion, enjoying what you're working on would be as important as gaining satisfying economic rewards, especially if you really have a retirement plan this early.... However, in some places, or maybe most... both sides don't come along together.... so, maybe you need to browse for more idea of 'teaching'... Redefining the role or WHAT you want with your teaching, maybe through a seminar or teachers gathering.... I am a teacher myself for over 10 years now... and I never find teaching as a boring line of work since I keep on finding there's a lot to be done... there's more to know and to discover about my students, especially the special needs or gifted students.... I find it satisfying to see my students could and able to understand whatever I'm trying to 'teach them"....It is, quite boring if you get your self stuck on the 'teaching materials'... but somehow with the development of theories and shift of education mindset nowadays... I feel like I still need to proof lots of things and wish that I'll have enough time to apply new things I've learned .... And for hanging out and stuff... I find myself more comfortable with those who knows a little bit of my line of work and understands how I view things in life... In my opinion, enjoying what you’re working on would be as important as gaining satisfying economic rewards, especially if you really have a retirement plan this early…. However, in some places, or maybe most… both sides don’t come along together…. so, maybe you need to browse for more idea of ‘teaching’… Redefining the role or WHAT you want with your teaching, maybe through a seminar or teachers gathering…. I am a teacher myself for over 10 years now… and I never find teaching as a boring line of work since I keep on finding there’s a lot to be done… there’s more to know and to discover about my students, especially the special needs or gifted students…. I find it satisfying to see my students could and able to understand whatever I’m trying to ‘teach them”….It is, quite boring if you get your self stuck on the ‘teaching materials’… but somehow with the development of theories and shift of education mindset nowadays… I feel like I still need to proof lots of things and wish that I’ll have enough time to apply new things I’ve learned …. And for hanging out and stuff… I find myself more comfortable with those who knows a little bit of my line of work and understands how I view things in life…

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]]> By: Nancyhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/when-is-it-time-to-relocate/#comment-3747 Nancy Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:32:56 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=917#comment-3747 I wouldn't worry about the economy, if there are jobs in your field go for it. There is nothing better than being a teacher and loving what you do, but Joel and Dan need to go somewhere where music in school and out is readily available. BUT...let me give you a tip that at your age you don't consider. As you begin to think about retirement (potentially as early as 55ish) you will love the fact that you have a retirement plan. I know that seems a million years away but if you keep changing jobs--especially in different states--you won't end up with a retirement plan. . I know that sounds so fuddy duddy---but changing jobs now to find the perfect fit will pay off in the long run. I wouldn’t worry about the economy, if there are jobs in your field go for it. There is nothing better than being a teacher and loving what you do, but Joel and Dan need to go somewhere where music in school and out is readily available.

BUT…let me give you a tip that at your age you don’t consider.

As you begin to think about retirement (potentially as early as 55ish) you will love the fact that you have a retirement plan. I know that seems a million years away but if you keep changing jobs–especially in different states–you won’t end up with a retirement plan. . I know that sounds so fuddy duddy—but changing jobs now to find the perfect fit will pay off in the long run.

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]]> By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/when-is-it-time-to-relocate/#comment-3713 Joel Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:28:37 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=917#comment-3713 I understand where you're both coming from, but honestly, I don't see how "the economy" plays into education in any way. I think I'll go write a little bit about this more in depth... I understand where you’re both coming from, but honestly, I don’t see how “the economy” plays into education in any way.

I think I’ll go write a little bit about this more in depth…

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]]> By: ms_teacherhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/when-is-it-time-to-relocate/#comment-3709 ms_teacher Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:15:35 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=917#comment-3709 I agree with Linda. I would seriously wait until the economy gets better before deciding to switch positions. I agree with Linda. I would seriously wait until the economy gets better before deciding to switch positions.

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]]> By: Linda Sturrhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/when-is-it-time-to-relocate/#comment-3706 Linda Sturr Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:52:23 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=917#comment-3706 Okay, so I was wrong. Not the first time. Won't be the last. Make the decision that is right for you. I know about old cars and such, I had to buy a new one at Christmas. My old car was 12 years old and starting to fail. I drive 35 miles one way every day so I totally understand the car thing. May God speed you on your way and help you find the job you need. Okay, so I was wrong. Not the first time. Won’t be the last. Make the decision that is right for you. I know about old cars and such, I had to buy a new one at Christmas. My old car was 12 years old and starting to fail. I drive 35 miles one way every day so I totally understand the car thing. May God speed you on your way and help you find the job you need.

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