This post is going to serve as a life update, brain dump, and therapy session all in one.
Guys, I have been struggling. Back in November, I confessed to my husband that I didn’t feel like myself and was really struggling with my mental health. Then, I got pneumonia, which forced me to stay home from work for a week—right when my husband was away on a work trip. Not a great time. Then, the holiday season hit. What was supposed to be a time of joy and laughter turned into a period of adjusting to new medication while also supporting my husband through his recent ADHD diagnosis.
Depression and anxiety look different for everyone. For me, they look like not wanting to leave the house, isolating myself in my room or on the couch, and letting the laundry pile up. It feels lonely, purposeless, and overwhelming.
January finally arrived, and things started to improve. My new medication was working, and unexpected snow days brought much-needed breathing room to a busy season. Just as I thought things were returning to normal, our family experienced an unexpected loss—something unlike anything we had faced before. It was a wake-up call, reminding me to prioritize my mental health and get back into therapy.
Now, as March approaches, I’m feeling more like myself. Ohio recently saw its first 60-degree day in what feels like forever, and my summer vacation plans are quickly approaching. However, there’s a lot to tackle between now and May. So, let’s dive into what the next three months have in store for me
Remember when I told my husband I didn’t feel like myself? Well, that feeling hasn’t entirely gone away. If you don’t know, I’m the vice president of my teachers’ union, and this year is a negotiation year. In January and February, I spent over 15 hours outside of my job in training to prepare for negotiations. I’m also writing our contract and proposals for the district. While this might sound overwhelming to some, I’ve found myself thriving in this role. To my surprise, I’ve discovered a deep passion for drafting contract language, analyzing other districts’ agreements, and learning about salary schedules. It doesn’t surprise me because watching “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight” is one of my favorite hobbies.
If you had asked me in August whether I wanted to run for re-election in May, my answer would have been a firm HELL NO. I was done—burnt out, exhausted by the drama, and ready to walk away. But working with the Ohio Education Association (OEA) over the past few weeks has opened my eyes to the inner workings of our profession and how the political climate is actively working against us. I am deeply passionate about fighting for what is right and pushing back against policies that threaten public education. If you disagree with me, that’s okay—I won’t be offended if you choose not to return to my blog.
I can no longer stay silent about politics. I will not stand by while my coworkers face injustice. Someone needs to advocate, and I’ve realized that someone is me.
Recently, I was asked to apply for an internship with the Ohio Education Association. It’s highly competitive, so I have no idea if I’ll get it, but just being considered is an honor. Through this opportunity, I would learn the ins and outs of unions, contract negotiations, arbitration processes, and more. Even if I don’t get the internship, I have an incredible network of people at OEA who are willing to mentor and support me. The internship would be in addition to my teaching duties, but I know it would be worth it in the long run. The internship would put me in a pool that OEA can choose from for future positions at their organization. Essentially, it would prepare me to leave the classroom if I ever decide I want to, and that thought does terrify me.
This shift in passion has thrown me for a loop. After attending an OEA conference this past weekend, I came home and cried. I told my husband that if I ever left the classroom, I wouldn’t be “Señora Ziegler” anymore—and that thought terrified me. I truly love my job. I love my school, my coworkers, and my students. I love presenting at OFLA, CSCTFL, and ACTFL. I love creating resources for TPT and speaking Spanish with my students. Would all of that disappear if I pursued a different career path?
For now, I’m not actively seeking a role outside the classroom. But the idea of working for an organization that drives meaningful change excites me. A year ago, I envisioned my future in local school leadership or curriculum direction. Now, I’m not so sure. The current state of education and our world tells me that advocacy needs to be a priority in my life. I want to use my voice to fight for public education and collective bargaining rights.
I don’t have all the answers yet, but I do know this: I’m stepping into a new season of purpose, passion, and advocacy. And I can’t wait to see where it leads.
I begin negotiations next week in a committee setting, with additional bargaining dates scheduled for the spring. I am hopeful that our committee will collaborate effectively with the district to reach a fair and just contract agreement.
Between negotiation sessions, I will be preparing for a three-hour workshop I am presenting at OFLA in April. Additionally, as the prom advisor, I am busy planning and organizing for the event. Fortunately, I have an incredible group of students helping out this year, and much of the work is already done.
If you don’t hear from me as often in the upcoming months, just know that I am fighting the good fight and working on taking care of myself. I love the community that I have built here and all of you who support me along the way.