Ten years ago, I took a “break” to re-consider my future, and when I reflected on the activities I found most enjoyable from my careers, the common theme was “teaching.”

I wrote an article, “Considering a Career Change: Thoughts on Becoming a Teacher,” in 2002, and updated the article several times in 2002 and 2003, as I began serious preparations for this new career.

In June 2003, I started a credential program (at California State University – East Bay [Hayward]), and in August 2003, I accepted a full-time job teaching English at Oakland High School.

In February 2004, I made the agonizing decision to quit “mid-year” as a teacher, and then to take a leave of absence from the credential program. Many months later, after much reflection, I decided that I would not return to complete the credential program, nor to pursue teaching as a career.

It took several years before I felt comfortable writing another article, sharing my “Thoughts on Not Becoming a Teacher.” Perhaps my greatest insight was recognizing that in my first article, I’d anticipated nearly all the factors that ultimately led me to decide against being a teacher.

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