Gold stars

Today, I found out that I’ve received tenure and promotion to full professor. It wasn’t a surprise—I mean, I spent the whole last year preparing my portfolio and the last decade bolstering it with work and service. But, my first feeling was sadness.

While college teaching is in no way glamorous or lucrative, it’s all I’ve ever wanted. I knew as a toddler that I wanted to teach, and when I hit college myself, I knew I wanted to teach at that level. And so, I worked incredibly hard to make that happen.

I feel a little sad because this is it. There are no more milestones after this for me professionally. I mean, I have goals—I want to write a book and any number of other things. But, there won’t be any more official gold stars, no more ranks to fight through.

And so, it’s a little sad, even as I’m grateful for the title.

Day 132.