This picture of an empty classroom pretty much sums up how I’ve been feeling about Back-to-School 2009. A little empty. A series of unexpected life events, mostly due to the lousy economy, have resulted in my leaving my French teaching position and moving from Michigan to Western North Carolina. I know, I know . . . things could be a lot worse than living in one of the most beautiful and friendly parts of the country. I’m not complaining, just trying to figure out what’s next. I have one child in full-day school, and the other in part-time preschool. I am blessed beyond belief to be able to spend time with my littlest guy before he, too, spends the best part of his day away. But teaching’s a funny thing. It’s so much a part of who I am, I feel a bit lost not doing it. Once we get more settled, I may start some preschool mom-tot classes. Or I’ll volunteeer wherever I’m welcome. I’ll still be publishing downloads through Foreign Language House as long as the inspiration is there. And I’m happy to have more time for workshop presentations. I’ll be speaking at the following conferences this year:
September – Foreign Language Association of North Carolina in Raleigh
October – Michigan World Language Association in Lansing
April – Southern Conference on Language Teaching in Winston-Salem, NC
And after that, who knows? Whenever I take a break from traditional teaching, I always wonder if I’ll ever have the opportunity to return. French teaching positions are becoming few and far between. I guess I’ll just keep doing what I love whenever I can. Maybe it’s time for a change? I don’t know, but I hope that one day I’ll be going back to school.
Comments and pep talks are welcome 
Photo Credit: By Tiffany Szerpicki at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1193228
