I’ve decided to quit the Now Teach program

Dear Lucy,

I’d like to inform you that I’ve decided to quit the Now Teach program. As you already know, the step I was about to take was particularly life-changing for me because it involved moving to another country with my whole family.

I could come up with a lot of excuses to explain why I’ve decided to make this decision (I’m “just” forty something, I don’t think all we can live on a teacher’s salary, I’m not sure I can survive London weather/English food, even Brexit is a good excuse, why not?).

But the only excuse I couldn’t give you is that I’m not certain that I’d like the experience. The fact that I’ve been teaching at the University here in Seville for four years, doesn’t mean that I’d be a great teacher there from the beginning, but I’m sure I’d find a way to succeed.

I’ve known for a long time that teaching (and not analysing risks for a bank) is my true passion, and that’s what I’ll end up doing. But not yet.

The reason is quite simple: the common good. Although I’d love to join you, I can’t be selfish, so I must do what I think is best for my family. This change would be great for me, but maybe not so good for them right now.

It was an honour to be selected out of more than 700 applications, and it was a huge pleasure to meet you during the Information Evening at Ark’s office last January.

I’m sure Now Teach will make a lot of people happier and a lot of students smarter.

Take care.

Raúl J. García.