Don't die with your music still in you

The LinkedIn community has been very supportive of the major life pivot I made several years ago, so I wanted to 1) express my appreciation and 2) share a significant update.?

My journey to a middle school classroom began in earnest in Jan, 2018 when I submitted my graduate school application essay.? My goal was to teach Social Studies after leaving the technology world - from Big Tech to Big Teach (at 6'3" I am taller than most folks in the building ;-).? Getting licensed took a couple years of weekend and night classes.? Student teaching with Mr. Steve Werle at Academy of Holy Angels was both a BLAST and a practical Ph.D. in teaching History.? All of which eventually led me to my very own middle school classroom.

I have yet to meet the adult who raves about their years in middle school.? Growth spurts, orthodontia, hormones, pre/early teen awkwardness are often remembered as "so cringe".? And yet…it's hard not to LOVE these amazing kids.? Adulting is hard for ALL of us, even those with years of practice.? Middle schoolers are still figuring out who they are in every meaningful way.? And for those of you who worry about the future generations taking over, I have good news.? There are some WONDERFUL kids out there!? Funny, creative, resilient, generous, loving, and SMART!?

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One of my goals in teaching was to help a younger generation prepare to embrace a democracy that at times seems so fragile in our polarized political culture.? What I found, in addition to an opportunity to teach, was an opportunity to learn from middle schoolers from all types of ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds.? I continue to be amazed that kids who have such diverse perspectives can get along so well nearly all the time.? It truly is inspiring.? There are many examples I could share, but they can be synthesized to a single anecdote.? One student I had clearly came from a politically conservative home and was also very interested in building mechanical things, so I asked if someday he wanted to be a billionaire business mogul.? He said, "No, I want to do things that will help people, like invent a cheaper way to do desalinization.? Money is not everything".? That was NOT the response I expected - I was blown away by his strategic creativity and generosity of spirit.

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Teaching may be the most difficult professional challenge I have ever attempted.? When I began during the darkest days of COVID, I wore a mask for the entire school year, as did all my students, while a global pandemic stalked us every day.? Many students and teachers fell ill.? Some loved ones were tragically lost.? My textbooks didn't arrive for months due to supply chain delays.? I created a hybrid curriculum for every school day, on the fly, for months since it was never clear how many students would attend class in person.? One morning in late Sept, 2020 I woke up, turned to my wonderfully supportive bride and said, "I think I might have made a huge mistake trying to become a teacher".? The job was too difficult, and I was drowning.? But just like middle schoolers around the world, I kept at it.? I put one foot in front of the other and kept putting in my best effort every day.? My two wonderful daughters pitched in and built amazing projects that my students love.? Eventually, I started gaining some momentum.? One year turned to two. Then to three.? Then four.

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My school principal and teaching colleagues have been wildly supportive the past four years, which is why it's so hard for me to admit that the vast amount of energy required to truly serve middle schoolers for "6 shows a day, 5 days a week" is tougher and tougher to summon.? Most days I arrive home mentally and emotionally exhausted.? Thus, I have decided to take a break from teaching.? It might be temporary, or it might be permanent.

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I will leave my classroom hoping I made some small impact, with immense gratitude in my heart and innumerable memories as well as mementos.? A hand-written quote from Adrian, a guitar pick from Catie, a crocheted yellow whale from Molly, a Walter Payton drawing from Joel, a Lego diorama from Tommy, a ceramic “apple for the teacher” from Will, and an Abraham Lincoln bust from Alek just to name a few.? I am SO GRATEFUL my wife gently urged me out of bed that September morning 4 years ago, because teaching had always been a dream for me, and now I have truly embraced it.?

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My dad often listened to inspirational cassette tapes during my youth, long before podcasts had been invented.? Wayne Dyer was one of my favorites.? Dyer often urged, "Don't die with your music still in you".? Big Tech may have been my first career, but Teaching was my music.? For any of you out there wondering if you dare to leave the comfortable and bravely face the uncomfortable, I urge you to try.?