Happy Sunday to everyone!
Last week, after the podcast episode of Best of Both Worlds where Laura interviewed a university professor, I started thinking about higher ed.
As in, transitioning into working in higher ed. I have a PhD and a few published articles (peer-reviewed) so essentially I *could* apply for a tenure-track position in higher education.
But that sounds very scary. Teach, write, publish, serve to university, serve to profession. I would be essentially starting from scratch. At 45 years old. Plus, higher education seems turbulent, with whole departments being de-funded..
My career in K-12 is very established. I am sure teaching in K-12 sounds scary to some but, for me, after 20+ years, it’s not.
Or.
I could continue in K12 and pick up a few courses from a local university as an adjunct. Just to keep my professional saw “sharpened” and, I don’t know, try something different.
I will not give up my current K-12 because it is rather cushy. I make a good salary (over six figures), get excellent state employee insurance, I leave work at 3pm and don’t look back until the next day. Teaching high school level curricula at this point in my career is NOT difficult. I will not give up the state pension. And, overall, teaching in K-12 can be very rewarding. I don’t work in the summer and I get plentiful time off for all the federal holidays. I have learned (again, over 20+ years) to establish some boundaries.
I researched the three major universities in NJ to see which one pays more per credit (a course usually carries three credits). First place is Rutgers since it is a major research university, followed by Kean U, then Seton Hall (my Alma mater).
I am thinking that could teach language courses (Spanish), or teacher preparation program courses.
Rutgers applications for fall 2026 adjuncts are currently open. So I dusted off my CV and slowly started updating it.
Naturally, questions are arising.
I am worried of how it will look like…
Will I go to the university straight from work? Will there be late evening courses? Will I be bone-tired?. Plus, designing a course and grading?
What would happen when T is travelling for work?
Will I hire someone to get the kids from aftercare and make them dinner while I teach from 6 to 9pm?
Will I see my kids less?..
What would happen to the so-called work-life balance?
Is it even worth it?…
Sounds like a lot of hustling…
Is higher ed more flexible than K-12?…
I talked to a few K-12 colleagues who are adjuncting. One of them is a man with no kids, he loves it. I think he is doing it for “fun money”. Another one is a retired K-12 teacher that doesn’t really need the extra pay but adjuncts because she wants to keep her mind “active.” The third one is younger than me, has a terminal degree, and is grinding at three (!!) universities.
This is a lot and… I have to ask myself why. WHY am I looking at potentially taking on a course in higher education? Do I need a hobby? Maybe I want something different? A different type of setting? A new professional challenge? An opportunity to work with a different type of student?.. Some new colleagues?
Or. I wait till I retire from K-12 and start in higher education… By then the kids will be older, probably not want to spend much time with me, so I could pull off a few higher ed courses.
Updates
My dad is going into a stroke patient rehab center on April 14th!!!!!! I am so happy for my mom. She can finally get a break. She has been taking care of him for the past 11 months (his stroke was at the end of May). The rehab is state-funded and is all-inclusive. It’s far from a resort but they have professional nurses that work with stroke patients.
Weekly Recap
Right after our trip to South Carolina, we had a full week. I was working, the kids had their activities, and T was in Philly for work.
I was in my luteal phase. This month it was a rough luteal phase. I haven’t had a bad one in a while.
Usually, exercise helps A LOT. But this time I felt very out of sorts.
Speaking of exercise…
I went to the YMCA on Monday, Friday and Saturday. Also my cycling class was today. Overall, four times, just as I planned.
I wanted to go swimming after work on Thursday as well. Had everything ready and in the car. Instead, I came home and just patted around the house, cleaned, caught up on some blog posts, then picked up the kids from after care around 5. That aligns directly with my goal to “give myself slack.” T was away and I felt I needed that time to just be, alone, in my house for a few hours.
This weekend has been good so far. Yesterday was busy but good kind of busy.
Saturday was like this:
Gym for me (weights+yoga)
Gymnastics for the kids
R’s friend came over, played
Called mom
Cleaned the upstairs
Lunch
Family swim (an empty pool!)
L’s friend came over, played
R’s friend from this morning came over again, played
Had dinner with L’s friend and her mom
The Pitt and DQ blizzards with husband after the kids went to bed
Bed
It was a busy Saturday but flowed nicely. My kids are at the ages where they do not need or want a lot of attention when their friends are over. Which is always welcome, since #timeforme.
Today is more of a relaxed day. I want some nature time and some creative time.
This post is a bear.
If you have any thoughts on K-12 vs higher education teaching or working full time and having a part time job in addition to your full time employment, please share. I’d be most grateful!
Mom of Children 