About me

Meet the Person Behind Life Beyond the Bell

After 35 years in education, I’m preparing to retire at 58 and begin an entirely new chapter. Life Beyond the Bell is my place to share that journey—the excitement, the decisions, the uncertainties, and everything I’m learning along the way.

For more than three decades, my life has revolved around the school calendar. Between working with students, helping families, and navigating the everyday challenges of education, it’s been a rewarding career. But as I approach retirement in June 2027, I’ve started thinking more about what comes next.

Retiring at 58 is exciting, but it also brings plenty of questions. Will our retirement savings be enough? How will we spend our time? Where will we travel? And perhaps most importantly, how do we make the most of the years ahead without spending a fortune?

That’s why I started Life Beyond the Bell. I wanted a place to document the process, share what I’m learning, and hopefully connect with others who are approaching retirement or already enjoying life after 50. I don’t pretend to have all the answers. In fact, figuring things out along the way is part of the adventure.

What You’ll Find Here

Life Beyond the Bell is about more than simply retiring. It’s about making the most of the freedom and opportunities that come with this stage of life.

I’ll be sharing our retirement planning decisions, exploring affordable travel destinations, looking into snow-birding and extended stays, and discovering new places through what I like to call “Retirement Field Trips.”

Along the way, I’ll also share the everyday experiences, unexpected challenges, and little victories that come with navigating life after 50. My hope is that you’ll find a few useful ideas, some inspiration, and maybe even a reason to try something new yourself.