Ahhh!! Retirement!!! I’m the kind of person that makes plans and likes to see the light at the end of the tunnel. So, last year when I was trying to wrap my head around the idea that I would be retiring that July, I was casually talking to another teacher and expressing my concern of not having anything of importance to do. She said, “Reinvent yourself!” What the heck did that mean? How do you do that?
At first, I found myself kind of lost. Before when someone asked, “What do you do?” I would say, “I’m a first grade teacher.” The conversation would continue about kids, teaching, the times, and more. Now when they ask, “What do you do?” I say, “I’m retired.” They smile and give me a look that says, “isn’t that nice?”
Teacher was my identity for 40 years. Now there are no students, co-workers, papers, tests, grades, meetings, lesson plans, schedules, or conferences. What do I do? Well, without planning, I find myself back to my roots as a Catholic School teacher and am able to work with children by teaching religion through the parish religion education program. I was asked to substitute in a few different schools which pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and experience new schools, classrooms, and students while still getting to see some of my former students and teachers.
So, without even trying, I see that I have reinvented myself. I now have an alphabetized spice cabinet and an organized utility room. There is something to be said for peace of mind! I am able to see what life is like between 8 and 3 outside of school. I stay up late during the week – on purpose! Now I relate to wife, mother-in-law, grandma, aunt, sister, friend, and retired teacher. Retirement has given me the gift of time. Now it’s Ahhhhhh, retirement!
By: Carol Haslag
Guest Post for 2017 Lessons Learned in the Last Year Intentergy series.
P.S. Carol and I served together on the Community Teachers’ Association. She appreciated my crazy ideas and I appreciated her kindness. Thank you, Carol, for all you do for our church and community. There are so many whose lives are enriched because of your work.
– Melanie A. Peters
Lesson #1: You can’t schedule life on a farm. The farm will schedule life for you.
Do genes impact one’s clumsiness? Do our parents pass down accident prone propensities? 
discussing the fact that they don’t let their kids do the laundry. The reasoning for this was that they didn’t have the patience to teach their children how to use the washing machine and that the kids never folded the clothes the way they (the moms) like it.
If we don’t demonstrate patience for our children, how will they know what the skill of being patient looks like? If we don’t teach them how to use the washing machine, who will? Some nice lady at the laundry mat?
with my kids is that they are learning. They learn how to make food. They learn how to clean up. They learn how to work as a team preparing, making, and serving our meals. Plus, my time with them is so precious in the evenings; it is nice to be able to do something productive.
they each created a unique and whimsical fairy garden. The garden of each child was an terrific representation of their personalities.
Can you relate?
I need my students to know that they are my priority. It needs to be clear that the lesson at hand is the focus. Yes, our objective is to have another year under our belts, but we don’t have to wish our year away.
Can you see my conundrum? Which of these slips of paper was the “really special one” in the eyes of my six year old?
Intentergy 