Plot twist!

In this crazy year we’re experiencing, absolutely nothing is a surprise. 

A global pandemic cancelling absolutely everything under the sun for months, with cancellations continuing daily? Of course. School being moved to our kitchen table overnight? Alrighty. Murder hornets? Sounds about right. 

So it seems like the perfect year for me to yell “plot twist!” 

I’m embarking on an adventure in my life – one that I never saw coming. 

Last fall, I began substitute teaching in our local school district. That soon turned into a full-time substitute teaching position in high school freshman science. Although the subject matter wasn’t necessarily my passion, I absolutely loved being in the classroom and working with youth. 

What began as a way to get out of the house a few days a week during the winter, when my freelance business is slower, grew into much more. 

The halfway point.

It really got me thinking. I’m 20 years into agricultural writing and photography career. I was honored to serve 11 years on the Livestock Publications Council board of directors, including a term as president. I’m just ending my term on the AAEA – The Agricultural Communicators Network board of directors, currently as past president. I’ve worked with some of the greatest publications in the industry, and I have a few awards on the wall that were much appreciated and hard earned. 

But what about the next 20 years of my career, before retirement? 

After much prayer and many long conversations with Craig, it’s become clear. I’m ready for a change. 

A student again.

As of today, I’m one week into pursuing my master’s degree in secondary education, humanities. And as of last night, I have been approved for a long-term substitute teaching position in our local middle school, teaching 7^th grade English Language Arts (ELA); 8^th grade Honors ELA; and middle school newspaper. 

Graduate school has already been an eye opener. It’s a great deal of time and a great deal of research. And why not begin the week I’ve driven to and from Kansas City for our Hereford junior nationals; attended a family wedding; and prepared for a second cattle show this weekend? 

I’ve always been a “how hard can it be?” gal. Looks like I’m about to find out. 

Am I excited? Absolutely! Am I also terrified? Without a doubt. 

Making a job change is scary. Completely changing careers, midstream, is petrifying. I’ve had my “What in the actual world am I doing!?” moments – especially at the thought of beginning a career in teaching during such an uncertain time in the education world. 

But I also truly believe this is what I’m being called to do. 

Keeping some old, bringing in some new.

Cee Lee Photography isn’t going anywhere. I’ll be scaling back a bit, and doing sessions only on weekends during the school year, and more often in the summer. But it’s a passion of mine, and it’s staying. My freelance writing is ending for the time being, other than my “Hereford Mom Diaries” column each month in Hereford World magazine. 

We can’t always see what awaits us in at the next step, in the next minute. But we can be open to change and to the new possibilities if we just take a chance. 

I’m honored to be sharing this adventure with you, as well. Here’s to the next chapter for this mom, wife, writer, photographer, and soon-to-be teacher.