“I’m on sabbatical.”

I said these words over and over again this past year, explaining to folks why I was suddenly home with my kids and not in the classroom. Since graduating from college in 2007, I have spent every year teaching. Teaching, conducting, writing, studying, planning. Repeat. I earned my Masters and PhD while teaching. I had three babies in four years while teaching, with very little maternity leave. My pace of life has been fast and furious. And then, this past year, I was granted a teaching sabbatical.

I realize that I am extremely fortunate to have the option of a sabbatical. I am a public school educator and teachers in my district are given the opportunity to take this leave after they have been in the classroom for ten years. As the one in my household with the “stable job” (my husband is freelance), committing to a year away from the classroom was a risk. But, we believed the benefits outweighed the risks and after the birth of my third child last June, I left the classroom for 15 months.

What exactly do you do during a teaching sabbatical?

Sarah running an improvisation workshop during her sabbatical

Now, I can only speak from my own experience at my school. I had the option of taking coursework, doing professional development, or a combination of the two. I decided to go the combination route—to jump into research and writing projects and to take a guitar class. I also visited as many classrooms as would have me! Higher ed, elementary, high school…I wanted to see it all. I realize that it is so easy to become laser focused on our own programs that we forget to see what others are doing in our field. Aside from traveling to conferences to learn and meet others, I traveled to schools around the country to get a sense of best practices in my field.

I also drank a lot of coffee during my sabbatical. I walked my son to pre-school (as a working mom, this was the greatest gift!), I visited family. I did so many things that I often neglect during the school year.

What did I learn?

It’s so easy to fall into the mind trap that we are the most important person in our classroom. When I decided to leave for a year, fear crept in—”What if my program suffers?” “What if students drop my courses?” (Even worse) “What if I’m not missed by students and colleagues?” These fears, rooted in the false notion that I am the only person who can do what I do, were quickly destroyed when I started watching other teachers in action. I realized my small part in a very big field of music educators and music makers. I watched my students perform on stage, not as their teacher, but as a concert attendee. I was able to take my very narrow view and expand it to see the big picture of music making and learning. There is no right way nor perfect educator.

My other big take-away was the importance of priorities. José Valentino Ruiz talked about this in his Back to School post as well—we can’t have it all! Yes, we could spend every ounce of our time in our school buildings if we wanted: crafting the perfect curriculum, rehearsing with students, answering emails… the list goes on and on. I know that this isn’t the best way forward. My students need me to be a whole person when I approach them in the classroom each morning. For me, that means putting my family, my friends, and my faith above my work. Sabbatical helped me reset my priorities.

How am I approaching the classroom differently?

Sarah presenting at a conference

I think teachers get a sort of summertime amnesia… the space away from the classroom reminds us of all the beautiful things we love about teaching while shielding us from the day-to-day grind. We forget that schedules are less than desirable, that parents can be demanding, that students don’t always buy into what we want to do in our classroom. We approach the new school year with such high hopes and dreams. “THIS will be the year that I will become my actualized, best-teacher self!” I don’t see this as a negative thing. In fact, I thrive off of the rhythm of the school year, piling on “New Years Resolutions” each September, updating my bulletin boards, and reframing my assessment strategies.

What happens? I hit the second week of September. I’m exhausted. I have no voice. I miss my children, and I wonder where all of my good intentions went. I know that this will happen this year, as it does every year. But, I feel ready for it.

I think of my sabbatical as an extended summer. I’m approaching the classroom like a first year teacher—my possibilities are endless. And, the reality of the day to day grind feels far away. But, I also have the knowledge of a 13th year teacher. I know that things will get hard and when they do, I will need to take a step back and remind myself of my sabbatical lessons. Teaching takes every ounce of your energy. There’s magic in teaching music. And, we can’t even begin to imagine the impact we are making when we show up each day and do our very best to reach kids.

Sarah with her daughter, Hattie Sweet

A few days ago, I sat in a meeting with my son’s Kindergarten teacher. He’s going to school for the first time next week and I was feeling lots of big emotions about this huge milestone. As I watched this master teacher interact with my son, I was amazed at his passion and knowledge. I was flooded with gratitude—grateful that my son would be in such a nurturing environment and that he would get to experience so many amazing teachers over the next few years. And, I felt this urge to get back in the classroom. I can be the teacher that my students need. I can create a space of welcome. I can continue to improve and admit when I don’t know. 

Advice for others hoping to do the same?

If you’re considering a sabbatical, I say “go for it!” Find a way to make it work. Ask questions of others in your district who have taken one in the past. Plot out your year and remember to take time for yourself.

If a sabbatical isn’t an option for you, find a way to stop.

Rest.

Recharge.

Think about the reason behind what you’re doing and let that propel you to continue to do great work for the people that need you most.

Have you ever taken a sabbatical from teaching? Ever thought of doing so? Share your experience in the comments, I’d love to hear your thoughts!