A Long Decision to Leave

Whether or not to stay in a difficult and stressful job is not always a choice for school site leaders, but when it is, it can be an agonizing decision process. In this article, the author examines her own process of leaving a site principal position over the course of two years, specifically describing the reflective pattern of using particular moments over the course of time to help answer the question of whether to stay or leave. In the course of this decision, the author also reflects on the nature and sustainability of the expectations for site leaders, the guilt associated with taking steps to care for oneself, and the bittersweet nature of leaving a beloved but challenging role.