On a Wednesday afternoon, I received a text asking if I could meet with my board of directors on Friday. I was mildly alarmed, if only for the urgency, as this type of request was nothing new. As I sat in my office trying to decompress before tackling the next task of the day, I opened the text and wondered, “What is it that they want to meet about now?”

I responded to let the board director know that I had plans immediately after school on that day and that Thursday evening was my next available time. We agreed to meet. We met. They fired me. I walked away, confused.

I was the executive director of a small, independent preschool. I enjoyed my highly demanding job and career. I had a combined twenty years of experience in child care and education, ranging in working with birth to high school seniors in many capacities. I was committed not only to the children I was working with, but my staff and the families attached to each as well.

When I was let go, there came no warnings or signs. There was no conflict leading up to the firing nor were there any requests that I did not fulfill. In addition, none of the board members saw the work that went to each and every day. I worked hard, typically arriving at the school at 6 am and leaving between 6 and 8 pm. I worked hard to maintain the daily operations. I poured into the teachers and encouraged them.

I greeted each and every child every day, as well as put them in their respective vehicles at the close of the day. At the time, I was considering attending a university in order to obtain a master’s degree that would advance my knowledge in the area of education. I was also gathering information and putting systems in place to advance each worker I had employed and in the future. I was invested.