Category Archives: Transitions

generativity self-check à la Erikson

In pursuit of psychology teaching certification, I was introduced to the idea of “generativity” from reading the work of noted psychologist Erik Erikson, whose generativity stage is contained within his theory of psychosocial development. According to Erikson, one way of … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Retirement, Seniors, Teachers, Transitions | Leave a comment

give-and-take compliments

It’s one thing to think complimentary thoughts about someone; it’s quite another thing to verbalize the compliment to that person. I hadn’t really considered the difficulty inherent in verbalizing compliments—maybe because I didn’t give many?—until a reading supervisor raised my … Continue reading

Posted in Employment, Retirement, Seniors, Teachers, Transitions | Leave a comment

thanks for understanding

One of the interesting dynamics of being an elementary school librarian is the number of daily thank you’s received from students, with this clarification. Invariably at the end of each library session, as part of the lining-up departure protocol, classroom … Continue reading

Posted in Employment, Librarian, Retirement, Seniors, Students, Teachers, Transitions | Leave a comment

congratulations…for what?

Them: “Congratulations!” Me: …knee jerk: “Thank you!” As you might imagine, I’ve heard my fair share of “Congratulations!” since I shared my retirement decision on June 30th. Now, three weeks later, the more resigned, comfortable, and grateful I continue to … Continue reading

Posted in Employment, Retirement, Seniors, Transitions | Leave a comment

role reversal

As unimaginably sad as it is when a teacher loses a current or former students, so unimaginably joyful it is for a teacher to encounter a former student who validates time spent in the classroom. I had that unexpected joy … Continue reading

Posted in Retirement, Seniors, Students, Teachers, Transitions | Leave a comment

retirement downer: outliving one’s children

Just as popular wisdom says that parents shouldn’t outlive their children, it strikes me that teachers shouldn’t outlive their classroom-children, either. (As an adult school GED teacher, as well as university adjunct, I have had students older than I, including … Continue reading

Posted in Employment, Retirement, Seniors, Students, Teachers, Transitions, Work | Leave a comment

finally, ultimately (re)tired

Continuing the previous conversation… The only other time I ever heard the big “T” (as in Tired) word spoken filled with that much unspoken meaning, as I referred to in the previous post, the word was spoken by my mother, … Continue reading

Posted in Employment, Retirement, Seniors, Transitions, Work | Leave a comment

r-e-t-i-r-e-d … It’s telling!

It never ceases to amaze me that every book printed in English—no matter how thick, no matter many pages or how many words– can be reduced to this common denominator: just twenty-six letters, albeit arranged and rearranged, used multiple times, … Continue reading

Posted in Employment, Retirement, Seniors, Transitions, Work | Leave a comment

accepted and approved

I admit it. I’m still mining the implications of those three little words “accepted and approved,” as in resignation/retirement letter signed, sealed, and delivered. Since my resignation/retirement applies to education, I’ve been thinking about “accepted and approved” as it applies … Continue reading

Posted in Employment, Retirement, Seniors, Transitions, Work | Leave a comment

exit plan

Am still reflecting on my resignation having been Board “accepted and approved.” First “a” word sounds welcoming and hospitable—could as well have been in response to my applying for the job, rather than resigning. Second “a” word sounds like it … Continue reading

Posted in Employment, Retirement, Seniors, Transitions, Work | Leave a comment