“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan, ‘press on’ has solved, and always will solve, the problems of the human race.”
Calvin Coolidge
Nothing impresses me more than a person with a goal and who is unwilling to give up. As a special education teacher I think my role, more than anything, has been to try and instill the belief that given enough hard work anything is possible. Watching the revelation that a student is capable of achieving a goal that they didn’t initially believe they could accomplish has been the joy of this job. Having been any part of making that happen for someone has been an absolute blessing in my life.
I think that is what makes moving on to something new so difficult. I have made my mind up, but can’t seem to give my resignation. Then, I remind myself that I have something just as important to accomplish in this new role. I thought when I decided to teach that I would be teaching. Seems like something easily assumed, right? But instead I find I spend most of my days responding to emails, testing, writing reports and in meetings. Often, I’m forced to hand over my lessons and ideas to a tutor who then teaches my class. It has actually become a treat to be able to interact with the students. Enough! But still I can’t seem to resign. I do love the students and I enjoy my role in lives but that isn’t enough anymore.
My hope for this new chapter is that I’m able to instill that knowledge that anything is possible given enough tenacity and persistence. I may even need the occassional reminder of that myself! I hope that if I can offer support and also believe enough in someone at the right time, that they may be able to truly believe in themselves. That is the part of this job that has made me come in every morning and if I can recreate that I’m sure I will again feel just as blessed.
Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Magnolia Beginnings 
It’s no so bad to hang on to a job that isn’t perfect. Sometimes a decent job (with a few special moments like you describe) is enough. I’m an accountant and it has paid my bills for many years – which then gives me the freedom to pursue my passion. The best advice I ever got as an aspiring writer was “Don’t give up your day job.”
And truthfully, it does more than pay the bills. It gives the stability to my life that allows me to take risks elsewhere. While you follow your new entrepreneurial dream, your teaching position may provide that stability for you too.
I’d agree to a point. Ofcourse, nothing is ever perfect but I feel life is too short to not be completely fulfilled if that remains a possibility for me. Thanks for the comment.
I think you’ll know when the time is right.