In my small private school, I had lots of freedom to teach creatively as I developed a series of new courses for the high school. My new colleagues were awesome and often even inspiring: friendships were blooming. My students were well-behaved, keen and fun to teach. I couldn’t ask for more supportive parents who volunteered their time and talents and were so generous with their encouragements to staff.

I couldn’t imagine myself wanting to go anywhere else…ever. That mindset started to erode four months in after one brief conversation with the principal.