Find Your Path

I recently applied, interviewed for, and accepted a new position in my school district. It’s a significant leap in the chain of command, moving from associate principal to curriculum director. People keep asking if I’m nervous or scared, and oddly enough, my typical response is, “Not really.” That’s when a realization struck me about careers, transitions, and what it means to find the “right fit.”

Finding your path in life, particularly in your career, is less about climbing a ladder and more about identifying the right match for your skills, attributes, and, perhaps most importantly, the kind of stress you can manage.

I began my administrative career managing building discipline and attendance. It was an experience that taught me a great deal, one I wouldn’t trade for anything. At the same time, it was also the most stressful four years of my career. Those years were anything but smooth. Eventually, I transitioned into a different administrative role that turned out to be a much better fit. As associate principal, I oversaw programming, curriculum, scope and sequence, department leader PLCs, and hiring and recruiting. This position matched my strengths more closely, and more importantly, aligned better with the kind of stress I was capable of handling.

Discipline and attendance brought a very immediate kind of stress, one filled with conflict and constant pressure from students, staff, and parents. The programming role brought a slower, more sustained kind of stress, driven by long-term planning, organization, and building consensus. I found myself far more comfortable in that setting. Meanwhile, I know others who thrive in the fast-paced, student-centered world of discipline.

In my new role as curriculum director, I’ll continue using many of the same skills and facing similar types of stress that I experienced in my programming role. This is the kind of work I know I can manage, which is why, when people ask if I’m nervous or scared, I can confidently say I’m not.

Stress is unavoidable in education. What we do is challenging by nature. But I encourage all educators to explore new opportunities, step outside their comfort zones, and seek out roles where the stress is manageable because the work plays to their strengths. The journey to finding that kind of fit isn’t always smooth. You will encounter roles that don’t suit you, that overwhelm you, and that challenge your sense of self. But those experiences also provide valuable insight. Over time, they guide you toward a role that fits you better—a career that feels fulfilling, meaningful, and sustainable.

Don’t fear change or the unknown. Sometimes, you just have to move forward with what’s in front of you, trusting that the path will reveal itself in time.