A list to begin

Scott and I have begun assessing the needs we will face being on the road. Several are already apparent: new sleeping bags, internet service cards, bicycle racks for the car, and these are just what we've come up with in the last few days. While not a huge list at this point (and we are trying to minimize our needs), there are other things that we have begun considering.

The list so far:

Consolidating and/or moving around checking accounts
Closing out a credit card so there is one less payment
Checking on direct deposit for my online teaching
Figuring out the student loan juggle
Looking into interim health insurance
SAVING!!!
Making sure the car is in top order: check plugs, tires, we'll need a new alternator, do we take the car topper, etc.
Asher

I'm realizing that there are a lot of things to think about here and probably so many that I haven't begun to consider.

And then, the inevitable question: When do we tell the parents about this adventure? How do you anticipate that reaction? They watched us struggle with the move to CO years ago but we are in a different spot. I have my BA and my MA, Scott is completing his BA, we have skills and experience. And, we have my part time jobs in the pocket.

Another no-hire but it's ok (really)

There are more and more occurrences, or rather non-occurrences, that lead me to wonder that this may really be the way to go, at least at the moment. As of this morning I had two job applications out, one in Idaho as a high school English teacher in a private school and the other at Portland Community College. As of this afternoon, I only have the PCC application on file.

I must admit, the letter from Idaho was incredibly nice and personal--something I do not receive very often. What hinders my application is the lack of classroom experience in my background. So, then, the obvious plan becomes to get myself into a classroom. This little order of business will be at the end of this on-the-road experiment once Scott and I know where we will be. Adjunct teaching is a mobile enough enterprise and community colleges are all over. Take a look at this site: http://www.utexas.edu/world/comcol/state/

College, or community college, is probably more my ideal age. I tend to say things without thinking them through and this can be problematic for high school age when parents are still a strong factor in their lives. I enjoy teaching the online classes, and just put in my application to pick up summer online courses with one of the school I currently teach with.

The beauty of the online teaching is that most community colleges want tech savvy instructors who can implement technology into classroom learning. Check.

One issue worth looking into is residency status in many places. Community colleges often want their instructors to have established residency, or to quickly establish residency, in their community. Once we know where we want to be, this won't really be an issue...I hope.

The online instructor

I teach online courses with two different schools that reach varied student bases. One serves a large, major city school network (OU1) and the other is a for-profit school that serves students that are spread all over the US and the world (OU2). A large number of my students are military affiliated, many are non-traditional students with full-time jobs, families, other school obligations, illness, and much more. Their lives are complicated and they are a special kind of student.

Currently, I teach a Humanities 200 level course and an introductory Composition 100 level course. I see all levels of writing and critical thinking. I also see a full range of excuses when it comes to completing work and turning it in.

This part of my life, the online teaching part, is spent grading, checking and responding to email, tracking down students that are MIA, lecturing (oh, yes, don't let the online thing fool you in to thinking it is easier and less work than on-ground learning), creating supplemental materials, directing students to various services, calming them down over the phone or email, and it goes on and on.

The perk to teaching online comes down to my mobility and my ability to take my teaching on the road and do it from anywhere. And, thus, is the point of this blog.

The plan:

To give up my 8-5, full-time, benefits-perked, higher ed administrative, tear-inducing job in Chicago and hit the road.

This is a learning experience. I don't know how this will work. I am sure others have done this but, the simple fact is, I haven't done this before.

So, onward and upward, with a hint of trepidation and a whole lot of hope.