For the last 16 years, teaching has been woven into my everyday life.

Some years, it happened in a classroom, surrounded by the buzz of students, new supplies, and the rhythm of the school calendar. Other years, it happened right at my kitchen table as I homeschooled my daughter, creating lessons that fit our lives and sparked curiosity.

I’ve taught my own child. I’ve taught other people’s children. I’ve spent years watching eyes light up when a concept clicked, or when art opened a door to a new way of seeing the world.

And now…it’s over.

Not in a bad way, not in a ‘burn it all down’ way. But in a way that still catches me off guard with its abruptness. Something that has been a part of my identity for so long is simply…done.

Grieving the End While Welcoming the Beginning

I know I made the right decision. This change is good for me. I can already see the possibilities for reaching more families, encouraging more creativity, and helping parents bring beauty and art into their homes.

But if I’m honest? I’m also truly sad.

When you’ve spent years pouring into something, into someone, you can’t just switch it off. There’s a weight to closing a chapter like this. And even with all the excitement for what’s ahead, the grief of the season change is real.

Why I Chose to Step Away

Part of me wanted more freedom.

In the classroom, you can only do so much. There are rules, there are schedules, and there are limitations that can sometimes box in your creativity. With Slate & Story, I have the space to dream bigger, to help families far beyond the four walls of one room, and to create resources that fit a variety of needs and learning styles.

Homeschooling offers even more flexibility than I had before, and the sky’s really the limit now.

Finding My Creative Grounding Again

One of the ways I’m processing this change is by making time to create with my hands again. Canva and digital design will always be a part of my work, but there’s something deeply grounding about paint on a brush, ink on paper, or clay in your hands.

Art has always been both my work and my outlet. It’s how I express, reflect, and process the world around me. Picking up a paintbrush again feels like the right way to bridge the old season and the new one.

For Families Starting a New Season Too

If you’re starting a new homeschool year, or shifting your family’s routine, I’d love to share something with you that captures the same gentle, intentional approach I’m carrying into my own life.

My Fall Five Senses Art Walk is filled with simple, cozy prompts that help you and your children slow down, notice the beauty around you, and connect through the sights, sounds, scents, textures, and tastes of autumn.

It’s an easy, open-and-go way to bring a little more wonder into your days, whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or a seasoned pro looking for fresh inspiration.

Click here to download your free Fall Five Senses Art Walk

A Final Thought

Sometimes the best thing we can do in a new season is honor what came before, grieve what we’re leaving, and still walk forward with open hands.

Here’s to what’s ahead, and to carrying the best parts of ourselves into it.