Tolbert Travels

Not only because of my own myriad feelings about it, but this post is difficult and yet delightful to pen. I am entering a new era in August, as I recently sent in my resignation letter to my principal. I will decline my teaching contract for the 26-27 school year for the first time in 8 years when April/May rolls around. I feel adrenaline pulsing through me. Being home with my babies has been a dream of mine since before I even had kids. Ah … I am beyond, beyond excited to spend my days with them! The photos below show the change from our first newborn session to our second. We have two babies that we get to pour into & love unconditionally, and experience life with. How fortunate and blessed are we? Now is certainly the time if there was ever a time …

Photos by Nicole Higgins of Eva Higgins Photography

Why was it hard? First, my school district finally purchased a full ELA curriculum (SAVAAS) last school year, so I have now taught it for about 2 years. It is wonderful and has made working within contract hours possible. I love it, and my students have enjoyed the curriculum too! I also have loved working with my team partner (he teaches math/science, whereas I teach ELA & Social Studies), and now in our second year together, it’s like a well-run, oiled machine. To say we work really well together seems like an understatement! I also work extremely well with the other 2 fourth-grade teachers who teach grade-level ELA. All three are my dear friends now. Second, the money. I made more money than my husband due to having my master’s degree, but I was the one with the desire to stay home. Going from two paychecks to one paycheck is going to be difficult, and we will need to actually stick to our grocery list and eat out less. Our goal is still to prioritize travel/family adventures, though, as we believe experiences are more meaningful than material things. Finally, MY STUDENTS. I really have taught the best of the best. They have sharpened me, encouraged me, loved me, and helped me grow as an educator and person. I am forever grateful for every single child that was placed in my fourth-grade classroom and for all of the learning that followed. My students will be the reason I return to the profession.

Why was it easy? The years of childhood are extremely short, and I adore being a mom above all else. Elias is napping less than when I first went back to work, so I am missing more playtime. I also don’t want to miss Arya’s babyhood months. The time together is irreplaceable. I will never get to go back and enjoy them at these ages again. In August 2026, I will have a three-year-old and an 8-month-old. What fun, precious ages! What precious moments to be enjoyed together. Also, we would be paying our babysitter/nanny now for two children, and it’s not that different from our salary. She also mainly watches younger kids, so Elias would be pushing it age-wise. His two friends are going to preschool and it will just be the babies left in the “nest”. We didn’t want to send him to a preschool. We want him to be with one of us, adventuring and exploring. Finally, Mimi isn’t retiring for a few years, and she really wants to watch our kids for us to create memories with them and provide them with more 1-1 learning than a preschool/daycare. We are so thrilled that she is willing to watch our kids daily for us when we both work, but she isn’t able to quite yet, so now is the time for me to live out my full-time mommy dreams. She will be the reason I’m able to go back.

I bristle at the idea of rushing to/from school and not being as present as I could be in this sacred season. Presence, immense love & service, and adventure will guide me in this new era of motherhood.

It’s my final naptime writing of this sweet maternity leave, as I return to work on Monday. The kids get to now be home with Kristoff for 4+ weeks, so it isn’t too hard leaving them … especially when I close my eyes and think of this new era right around the corner.

Lots of love,

M