Zubby Newsletter #98: Big Change

Here’s the letter I sent out to the Seneca Animation staff this morning:

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Hey Gang,

I have some news.

As you all know, Seneca offered the possibility of exit packages or early retirement for full-time staff members in order to minimize losses incurred due to changing international application policies across Ontario and, when that possibility came up, I realized it was a rare opportunity. I’m on a teaching sabbatical right now and was recharging my batteries to return in the Fall, but now my plans have changed.

Yesterday, I received approval on my exit package from Seneca. Technically I'm still employed at the school until end of April but, since I'm on sabbatical, it means as of 5pm today I'm no longer a prof.

I can’t fully explain to you how surreal this feels. For the past 20 years I’ve taught at Seneca and for 14 of those I was Coordinator of the ANI program. Teaching at Seneca has been the most consistent thing I’ve done in my adult life. Helping build the Animation program, watching it grow, and seeing so many students expand their skills and tap into their creativity while making lifelong friends has been an absolute privilege. My creative career is in a great spot right now and I’m incredibly excited to embrace that full time instead of juggling it with full time teaching, but the ability to do this in the here and now is because of my experiences at Seneca. The school and all of you have changed my life for the better in countless ways and for that I am eternally grateful.

I’ll be around to visit and see the grad films, and wouldn’t be surprised if I come back at some point to teach again if the opportunity presents itself but, until then, I wish you and the rest of the team all the best.

With lots of love,

Jim

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So, yeah, there it is! I’m no longer a teacher at Seneca Polytechnic.

It’s a big change, but also the chance to continue the more healthy work-life balance I’ve had since end of April last year when my teaching sabbatical began. I still have a lot to do and deadlines to handle, but now I can concentrate on my creative career without losing precious time with Stacy and the rest of my family and friends.

Versions of this plan have been in the works for quite a while, but finally having all the pieces come together and seeing it through hasn’t settled in just yet. Stacy joked that I’ll need to set up classes here at the house to make sure I’m feeding my teaching impulse because it’s such a deep-rooted part of me, and I know I’m going to miss it a lot, but in other ways I’m also relieved. I’d rather step away while I’m still passionate about teaching rather than let my excitement for it atrophy, get stuck in a rut, and stay there just because it’s the path of least resistance.

However you know me - personally, professionally, or from afar as a reader - I want to THANK YOU for following along and being supportive of me and my work. It means more than you know.