Crossroads
I’m a teacher/admin at a private school and I’m at a crossroads professionally and personally. I could really use perspective from people who’ve gone through major transitions.
I’ve been at my current school for 9 years and moved into leadership responsibilities over time. Two months ago I applied for an assistant principal role and didn’t get it. An outside candidate with more experience elsewhere was chosen. Since then I’ve had several difficult conversations with leadership and I think I finally got the real answer: they value me, but they don’t really see a clear upward path for me right now.
The principal told me she sees me more in a “Dean of Academics” role, but also admitted that role may not exist for years, if ever. Meanwhile, another dean role was filled internally without even being posted.
So I’m trying to face reality instead of just staying loyal and hoping something changes.
Here’s the bigger issue: my wife and I have lived separately for 7 years because of work/location realities. I now have the opportunity to sell my house, walk away with roughly $290k, move to California where my wife is, and finally raise our child together full time.
But I would likely be moving without a job lined up.
That terrifies me.
I’ve already interviewed elsewhere locally and gotten close, but not landed anything yet. Part of me feels like staying where I am is safer. Another part of me feels like I’m clinging to a version of my career path that may not actually exist anymore.
For those who’ve left education leadership tracks, moved states mid-career, or rebuilt professionally after realizing you’d hit a ceiling:
- How did you know it was time?
- Did you regret leaving stability?
- How much runway did you need financially before making the jump?
- Did your life improve after finally aligning career and family?
I think I’ve tied a lot of my identity to advancement and being “needed” by my institution, and I’m struggling to separate career disappointment from bigger life decisions.
I’d really appreciate honest perspectives from people who’ve been through something similar.