Closing a Chapter - Saying Goodbye to the Classroom

For a long time, my life was a rhythm I knew by heart: a coffee mug in hand and the classroom door opening to greet the day. Teaching has been more than a job—it's been a part of my identity, my joy, and my purpose. But deep down, I always knew there was something else waiting for me… a different calling, a quiet voice reminding me: "You’re meant for something more."

So here I am—closing one chapter and opening another.

I’m stepping away from the traditional classroom, not because I’ve stopped loving teaching, but because I’m ready to do it on my own terms. Teaching will always live in me, but now I get to shape how I give it to the world.

I need a sense of balance.
I need slow mornings.
I need to feel more, rush less.
I need presence.
I need to live—not just for weekends or breaks—but every single day.

That’s my reason number one. And maybe one day, I’ll share all the others too.

My life used to feel like a cycle of quick coffees and ringing bells. I still want my coffee—every single day—but now, I want to taste it, to enjoy it like I want to enjoy life: with intention, with warmth, and at my own pace.

This is the beginning of The Pink Stair—a space for growth, learning, and life on my own terms.

One pink step at a time,
Madeline