1-0-9-9?

some of my greatest inspirations. i don't normally post pictures of the children i've taught, but this is relvant to the topic at hand.

It's been a while since I've visited this space.

My, it's good to be back (I have been keeping up with most of YOUR posts!).

I'm going to be at school for two more weeks, finishing two out of three more classes toward my master's in education. Then vacationing for a couple of weeks in Connecticut and around New England.

There's a lot swirling around in my brain tonight, so I thought I'd share some of the thoughts in this sacred space.

I have been all but offered a Montessori position for the coming school year, in Louisville. However, it's not a lead position, it's an enormous paycut, and it's a long commute. I'm not a fan of any of those things, other than the fact that it may mean a lead teaching position for me after one year.

The thing is, before this fell in my lap I was all set mentally to take a year off. I mean it, to CHILL. That first year of teaching burned me out, for many reasons. I already have my sewing studio set up and ready to go in the new apartment. I was looking foward to spending more time with my sweetie, baking and cooking for him as he works full-time from home and finishes school on nights and weekends. Maybe picking up a part-time job at Whole Foods, or waitressing, or whatever. Or ....

I could go into business for myself. I have four years' experience working with young children, and I'm currently first-aid and child CPR-certified. I like to cook. (ok, LOVE!). I love to bake. I love to knit. When I learn it, I'm hoping I will love to sew. I love to make Montessori materials (hello, etsy?). I don't mind crafts if I have the right supplies and materials. I speak French. I love literature, and book clubs.

What if ....

I offered some or all of these services (other than the Montessori materials, which would be a side job) to people who homeschool their children? I could host small group sessions at their homes, or the public library, or another agreed-upon location. I could host and lead a book club. I could charge per session, or per week, or per school term. I could do day classes, or evenings. I could host a playgroup. When I learn how to sew, hopefully I could teach young ones how. All of it would be done within a Montessori framework - letting the child guide the lessons, giving freedom to explore tangents.

Voila, no long commute. No inflexible monday through friday job. Tons of variety. No burnout! Plenty of time to finish two 20-page papers, due October 1. (can you imagine cramming not only the papers, but searching for my sources and reading through research journals and books on WEEKENDS??)

I could always fill in the gaps with babysitting, or that part-time job I mentioned before.

For what I was going to make and the complaints that go with it, I could get this started and make at least that much, if not quite a bit more once it gets going (don't worry I'm not getting too lofty!).

It's scary as hell to think about being in business for myself. And yet ... it would make good use of my training, keep me working with children, and keep my passion for Montessori and early childhood alive and well.

What do you all think?