Making It Official

Thirteen years in the public school system have forever ingrained in me that September means new notebooks, pens, a fresh goals list, tighter rhythms, and getting back to real life.

In other words, it’s time to stop wearing sandals all the time and acting like a bathing suit top suffices as a bra under every outfit.

But does ice cream still count as dinner?

As long as the temps stay hot like they have, I say yes. But make it pumpkin flavor! It’s probably better than putting that vegetable into your coffee. Bleh.

There are two items of business that we need to make official here:

1: We are homeschooling. For real.

Last year’s accidental homeschooling through England and Italy could more accurately be described as unschooling. And that is being generous. Though it’s fairly easy to win the day when you can point to a building and say, “That is older than our entire country. Let’s discuss.”

Or when your research project consists of visiting over half a dozen gelaterias. My children can each now hold a robust conversation on price vs quality vs quantity.

Economics, but make it delicious.

I will spare you the litany of reasons why we made this decision. They have to do with wanting that slower pace we found abroad, the connections we’re forming as a family, and being intentional about our kids’ educational journey, should Husband’s work send us back out on the road.

Basically, my husband didn’t think it was a good idea for me to keep making it up as I went, without any sort of plan. So…..

The bullet journal has been properly filled out, and the schedule and page designs agonized over. IYKYK

Now that my system of organization and planning is complete, time to figure out what the kids will actually be learning in that schedule. Don’t tell my husband.

School begins Tuesday.

2: I have a new job.

Or rather, the job I’ve had for the past 12 years and 4 months finally got an official title and job description in a language that the business world might better understand.

Apparently, it’s very concerning when mothers leave the paid workforce. All that talent and energy is no longer being directed anywhere useful. So much handwringing and talk of gaps in resumes that might disqualify us.

Here is what I posted on LinkedIn to announce:

The response has been very positive:

“Sounds like a meaningful position, Joanna. Love this concept for our youth!

Best LinkedIn post I have seen in some time.

Here is the full job description from my profile.

Co-Founder & President, Circo de Cinco (Circus of Five) · Full-time

Circo de Cinco is a bi-lingual, long-term leadership and character development program that my husband and I run. It's focused on developing the whole person (spiritual, mental, emotional and physical) in order to launch strong, engaged, and empathetic young adults.

All of our enrollees live in-house until they launch, hopefully around age 18 years old, but that will be on a case-by-case basis.

As President, I handle the day-to-day logistics, manage projects, and implement the company training program, as well as help with vision-casting and company expansion. As the one who spends the most time interfacing with our youth enrollees, I consistently assess, correct, and provide feedback on individual development and advancement, as well as set individual goals and plans. All of this is done in partnership with my husband, the CEO.

I am intimately involved in setting and maintaining the budget, planning company outings, and ensuring all necessary benchmarks are met for whole-person success. On any given day, I wear many hats, requiring constant innovation, flexibility, and endurance. This role also requires high social and emotional intelligence, humility, curiosity, and a willingness to put in long hours.

Internally, I have a much less formal title, often masking to the outside world the vital importance and professional capacity and skill required by the hundreds of thousands who fill a similar roles.

You might know it.

*MOM*

Don't let that title fool you. I’m not taking a career break. I’m leveling up and broadening my skill set and expertise.

Feel free to adapt for your own full-time in-house character and leadership development programs. It’s amazing how many people have one!

Jo x