A Visit to the Principal

In my twenty-fifth year of teaching, I was called into the principal’s office. Believe me, students are not the only ones who are apprehensive to cross that threshold… I didn’t have a clue what he was going to say, but I never expected our conversation would change my life.

After a career of teaching the mentally handicapped, I was asked to teach advanced placement English to high school seniors. Yes, I had an English degree, and I taught occasional college classes, but leave special education?

I had one week.

I asked my husband what I should do and he asked me two questions – Are you happy? Are you so happy with your job that you wouldn’t want to change it?

I took the job.

With a summer to prepare, I spent a month at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise studying with the Appalachian Writing Project (AWP). Under the umbrella of the National Writing Project, AWP’s purpose is to train teachers how to use best practices to teach writing across the curriculum. Not only did it focus on the teacher of writing, but the teacher as a writer. My long lost desire to be a writer surfaced. At the age of forty-seven I began teaching English, and I began to write.

My first short story was published later that year. More publications in anthologies and journals followed. My first novel is awaiting publication, and my life has changed forever – thanks to a visit to the principal’s office.

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Permalink Reply by Debra Shawcross Farmer on June 6, 2011 at 8:17am

Thanks Rebecca. Loved this piece. I loved the questions your husband asked. Motivated me to ask those same questions of myself. This piece just may have changed my life. I'll keep you posted. How did things work out for you...are you enjoying Teaching English...and your writing? 47 is a number....and your piece tells us that there is a time for Everything....a time to change your Life. Wonderful ...Happy Writing and Best wishes for the release of your Book. What is it about? Deb <3

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Elswick on June 7, 2011 at 4:31am

Hi Deb!

I love teaching English! It was without a doubt, the best decision I ever made. I can't tell you what to do, but if you are not happy, then don't let an opportunity to change your life pass you by. It was changing jobs that got me to writing after many years of silence.

My book is called Mama's Shoes and is about a girl who grows up in a beauty shop where her Mama works. The book is about strong women struggling to make a life in Appalachia and it spans 20 years from 1940 to 1960. My mother was a beautician and many of the stories are based on my childhood memories of the women who frequented the shop I grew up in!

By the way, it's nice to meet you!

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Permalink Reply by Debra Shawcross Farmer on June 7, 2011 at 5:37am

Nice to meet you too. I love SW, so many Inspirational women....and their stories. I love the title of your book...Love It! Happy Writing.

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Permalink Reply by Susan McAulay on June 29, 2011 at 9:31pm

When I first started teaching six and a half years ago, I did not want to be a SPED teacher but in the alternative certification program I entered, that is what I was given. I was mad at the time I was not given English. Two years after I started, I seriously thought about trying to switch--I even got myself certified in English. But even though there were English openings at my school, my Principal did not want to shift me because it is harder to find good SPED teachers than English teachers. I do coteach a lot of the English classes (along with history). I have grown to like SPED and I love my students. Right now, if I had the chance, it would be at a different school, and I would lose most of my seniority rights in SPED, so in this economy I wouldn't switch. If there was no issue, then...not sure. Teaching and being done with my Masters (second one in literacy) is allowing me to write...it doesn't matter if it's English. I used to be a lawyer--and that beat all of the creativity right out of me. Teaching, even SPED--at least at the older grade levels--gives me enough time and intellectual stimulation to be able to write.

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Elswick on June 30, 2011 at 9:15am

Hi Susan,

The moment I read this I thought of a poster I've often seen that says: "Bloom where you are planted." You are certainly a living example of this phrase! Isn't it amazing the paths our lives take?

I agree with you about the writing! As long as I can have time to write, I can breathe.

Take Care,

Rebecca