On Friday, March 3 I gave written notice to the school district of my decision to retire at the end of the last day of this school year June 9th, 2023. I did this after filling out paperwork through CalSTRS online. I am currently in my 29th year of teaching, and 19th year of teaching high school. I have taught woodshop, technology, PE, Algebra, Construction, and farming. My first 10 years of teaching were at the junior high school level. My decision was based on my recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Although the new drug Methotrexate has taken much of the pain away, it is by no means a cure. I want to enjoy as much of my remaining time as I can while my body still feels good.
The first person I ever worked with who retired died three days later. That is seared into my brain. The guy waited way too long to retire, then never really got a chance to enjoy life afterward.
So plans are in motion, my wife and I set a time to go on the TMB, and I made the retirement official, so there is no turning back. I am looking forward to the work to get into shape for the trip and then I am looking forward to the beauty and the time spent on the trip.