“You’re moving to China?! WHA??? How did this happen?” This is probably the most common response I got when I told people I was moving from lush, green, rainy Seattle, to hot, smoggy, exotic Shanghai. So here’s how it happened…

Those who work in the field of school psychology know that there is a national shortage. I am contacted by contract agencies daily, looking to see if I’m available to work in California, Arizona, Florida, Colorado, Georgia, etc, etc. Even my current school district is short two school psychologists this year. In order to recruit potential out-of-state employees, we posted the position on the national school psychology website. After not hearing anything for a couple days, my boss’s secretary asked me if I would log in to the site to make sure the job is posted. So I did. And it was there. And right below it was a position for a “Director of Student Support Services”…in Shanghai?! Interesting…CLICK.

I wasn’t looking for a new position. I really like the school district where I work. I have an amazing set of coworkers and very supportive bosses. However, lately I’ve been feeling like I spend more time working with adults than I do children. I’ve also been feeling like I’ve stopped growing professionally in my current position. If I think towards the future, the “next” level was either building principal (eh, no thank you) or special education associate director (h*** no!). So, while I wasn’t LOOKING for a new job, I think I was mentally primed for something new.

Even so, I wasn’t sure I was interested in moving to China. It took the prompting of a co-worker who told me there is no harm in seeing where this path took me…and he was absolutely right. Because the more I researched Shanghai, interviewed with the school, talked to people who’ve lived there, prayed about whether this was the right decision for me, the more excited I became about the potential opportunity. When I was offered the position, I heartily accepted! And I knew it was the right decision when the terror I felt was more about jumping into the complete unknown, rather than the actual decision.

So, here’s where we’re at…I’ve had months to plan and prepare. I feel like I’ve learned and researched everything I can. Now, it’s just about jumping in with faith and both feet and learning to float in a new pond. I’m terrified and excited. I’m ready and I’m not. But, “the world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark” (John Muir).