The moment that changed everything for me (Part 1)

Family vacation July 2024--a much needed getaway! Plus, a little sunburned!

Taking Care of Yourself: A Journey from Education to Entrepreneurship

It was the week before Thanksgiving Break, and I was pulling out the Christmas decorations, knowing that with family coming over next week and all my school work, my time during this break was already packed. I had a two-page "to-do" list for my role as the Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction at a private high school, alongside grocery shopping and meal planning to make Thanksgiving perfect for my family. My breaks, like this upcoming Thanksgiving, had never felt like true breaks. I was always working—whether cooking, cleaning, creating professional development presentations, or catching up on school tasks.

As I pulled boxes from the garage with my 10-year-old son, he asked the most poignant question anyone had ever posed to me: "Mommy, would you not do work this break and spend time with me?" I froze, taken aback by his sincerity. In that moment, I realized that my constant work was actually harming my family life. I thought I was working to provide a good life for them, but in reality, I was missing out on precious time.

That moment changed everything for me.

After 28 years in education, pouring my heart and soul into my career, I had thought I was doing what was best for my family and myself. But upon reflection, spurred by my son’s question, I realized I didn’t want to be perpetually exhausted or constantly turning down invitations due to work. I was experiencing burnout, and my family was paying the price.

How did my 10-year-old see what was most important while I was blind to it?

Throughout Thanksgiving break, I did some soul searching. I resolved not to bring work home unless absolutely necessary. I would work hard at school, complete my tasks, and be fully present with my family at home. Great plan, right?

Then came the first day back after break, and my well-intentioned plan evaporated. A decision was made to let a teacher go, and suddenly I was tasked with designing a curriculum for a new class on top of everything else I had to do. The pressure mounted—meetings, reviews, observations, and complaints from parents. I was working late into the night, bringing home hours of work, missing out on family time, and feeling the weight of it all.

I was juggling multiple roles: assistant principal, grant writer, instructional coach, curriculum developer, and more—all while feeling like nothing I did was enough. Panic attacks started creeping in, exacerbated by the sense of inadequacy and exhaustion. I realized I needed to prioritize my well-being.

During Christmas break, I committed to my family and my own mental health. I worked only one day during that two-week break, focusing on quality time with my son and husband instead. We created memories I had never thought to make before. It was a revelation—putting my family and, importantly, myself first was transformative. I realized I no longer wanted to work in an environment that drained me.

At work, I felt like I was checking off boxes instead of making meaningful connections with teachers. Time constraints left me unable to fulfill my primary purpose—to help educators provide the best for their students. The demands became overwhelming, and I knew I had to make a change.

When I finally shared my feelings with my husband, he was concerned about the financial implications of leaving my position. But I was at a breaking point. I described the panic attacks, the daily misery, and how I felt I was missing out on my son’s life. Eventually, I made it clear that my mental health had to come first. He reluctantly agreed, and I took the leap to leave my role.

Walking into my principal’s office to resign was one of the most liberating moments of my life. I felt a weight lift, and for the first time in months, I could see a light at the end of the tunnel.

What’s my point? I loved being an educator, but I didn’t love the demands that were taking me away from what mattered most—my family and my well-being. After leaving, I founded my own online company providing professional development for teachers. I’m back to helping educators refine their craft, giving them the tools they need without sacrificing my own health or family time.

If you’re in education—whether as a teacher or an administrator—you likely understand the feeling of being overwhelmed and burnt out. Don’t let it get to the point I did. Prioritize self-care. There will always be more work to do, but what’s most important is taking care of yourself and your loved ones. That’s the best gift you can give yourself and your family.