Put Down the Chalk and Retire: Life Lessons After Leaving the Classroom

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Originally published in TEACH Magazine, May/June 2017 Issue

By Martha Beach

As a teacher, you’re on the clock 24/7. Everything reminds you of a possible science experiment, history project, or art piece. Every day is scheduled; weekends and evenings are spent marking and planning. Other than some precious weeks in the summer before you start to gear up for September, your life plan is set.

Retirement—where every day is unscheduled, wide open, and full of possibilities—may seem like a dream. Now is the time to reorganize the garage and paint the fence, digitize that old family photo album, read that stack of novels, and watch that season of Downton Abbey you somehow missed when it aired. But eventually you realize: you have nothing to do.

Making the transition from that full-time educator role (and mindset) takes careful planning and introspection to stay passionate, healthy, and social. “It’s important to have awareness of what that transition will look like,” says Kate Dack, founder of Retirement Coaching Canada.

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Martha Beach lives and works in Toronto as a freelance fact-checker, editor, and writer for a wide variety of publications. When she’s not working, you’ll find Martha on her yoga mat or hanging out with her daughter and husband.

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Martha Beach
Martha Beach
Martha Beach lives and works in Toronto as a freelance fact-checker, editor, and writer for a wide variety of publications. When she’s not working, you’ll find Martha on her yoga mat or hanging out with her daughter and husband.

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