Putting My Plan Together

The book I blogged about the other day really gave me permission to explore every angle that I want to explore.  I decided to go ahead and make a last Hail Mary attempt to make my primary source of income from the insurance industry. 

I've been busy putting together a twitter page, facebook page, and blog spot for my "new" business.  My coach has already talked to me one on one once and got me started with all of this homework.  Aside from getting all of my pages together, he has given me access to his quoting software (worth a bunch of money every month), given me a source for free database management, and gave me the name for much more cost effective errors and omissions insurance.

Still on my list of things to do is filling out the paper work for the new insurance carriers and setting up my home office. I'm typing all of these blogs from a 10" screen netbook so I've been scoping out a more grown-up style that I can work on for 8-10 hours a day.  I also purchased a headset to use with my magicjack for outgoing calls.  When it arrived today, I discovered it doesn't work on my netbook or on my cordless phone...I'll re-list it on Amazon.

Without guilt, I've been able to continue to explore the idea of becoming a coach.  I'm not sure how it will fit into my life just yet, but I've been very interested in attending the Fowler, Wainwright International Institute for Professional Coaching.  Because of I Can Do Anything If Only I Knew What it Was, I know that it's o.k. to maintain my interest in this field.

I had to giggle out loud when I listened to a webinar about becoming a coach.  One of the very first slides said "You don't need to have all the answers to be a great coach.  You just need great questions." Helllllllooooo? That was the ONLY thing that others told me I was good at...asking questions.  I am very excited to know that this career is out there. 

I an determined to make this insurance thing happen...and I am going to be a coach.  Maybe my niche will be coaching teachers about what kind of life they will have after teaching!!!!:)

The Background Story-is there life after teaching?

My biggest fear when I started teaching (and through my entire 17 year career) wasn't that a child would vomit on me or the principal would spend half a day in my class.  My worst fear from the very start was losing the wonderful career I had and not being able to teach.  I loved my work so much that I regularly feared the situation I now find myself in.  What would happen if I couldn't teach?

Anytime you type "former teacher" into the search engine, you come up with stories of teachers accused of misconduct (ok gross misconduct) and their life is forever changed.  The interesting thing is, all of the stories begin with "accused of" and that is all it takes.  I knew from the time I took my first position (opened in the middle of the year because the teacher was arrested for having relations with a high school student) that my career could be over at the mere accusation of a student, parent, or co-worker who didn't want me around.

This is a lot of stress to carry with you when you enjoy what you are doing so much.  Not only did I need to fear the actions of others, but I consistently needed to self audit my language and actions anywhere I would be seen.  The termination of a teacher holding beer steins in various countries on a Facebook page only added to the sometimes over-whelming fear that something could get in the way of me and my wonderful title of "teacher."

Perhaps in future posts, I can describe the various places I taught which included prek-university with the exclusion of k,6th,9th and 10th.  For now I'll just describe the reason I find myself looking for a life after teaching.

I found myself full-circle in a position of my dreams this year.  I was hired to run the preschool program that was operated by juniors and seniors.  I was to instruct the high school teachers and they instructed the prek students.  I loved everything about this position and was doing a pretty good job despite a few "bumps in the road."  Then the unexpected happened: I became ill. 

My worst fear came true, but not because of anyone accusing me of anything.  I can no longer teach because my body won't let me. 

So begins my life after teaching.  I'm 3 months into my life now and I still have not figured out exactly what comes next. If there is anyone out there who has already made this type of transition, I'd love to hear from you!