I just ended my teaching career. The spring 2021 semester was a busy one. The last couple of weeks really took their toll. Then, as with every semester wrap up, the following weeks ran hectic. Now, as the dust settles, all the summer stuff starts. Where will it go?
The global pandemic challenged the semester. We cut our class sizes in half. I had to develop replacements for the group activities that help the students so much. Though the classes met in person, there were still students who needed to connect remotely, often for health reasons. All these things added chaos to the term.
In addition, in February, I gave my notice that I would not be returning in the autumn. In the academic world, everyone must hire in spring for the following fall. I needed to prepare all of my materials to hand over to my replacement. Most things sat neatly packaged, but all things change as one learns and grows. Still, there was work to do.
Because it was my last semester, I need to find a new job. Immediately, the world showed me that, if you teach introductory I. T. classes for six years, you get really good at introductory I. T. and that your higher-level skills fall behind. In addition to sending out resumes everywhere, I've been taking online courses to modernize my skill set. These activities have also eaten my time.
In a normal summer, time presents itself for my own projects. Several software projects sit at the ready. The rest of Timmy's Zombie Abatement Service chomps at the bit. Another tale of murder and haunting lurks in the shadows awaiting an opportunity to burst forth. Then, there are all the regular household chores and exercise goals that we all must face.
Instead, the priority this summer is building job skills and finding a source of proper employment. I also need to finish rebuilding one of my classes (I'm technically on contract until the end of August). These tasks take precedence over all others.
One of my software projects could, potentially, become a software product that I could sell as a service. Having my own company would be interesting, but I'm not confident that it would produce enough profit for me to live on by September. It may work out to be a good side gig, once I have reliable income.
Anyway, writing is the thing that keeps me most sane. I will be trying to schedule regular bouts of creativity just for mental health reasons. It is pre-printed on my daily to-do list. Soon, Timmy will be finding out more about stolen corpses and coral pendants. That's the plan, anyway.
Check back soon.