Time Flies...

This year has flown by so fast. I can't believe that the school year is coming to an end. A lot has changed since this time last year...

I took a position at a new school, and I left my comfort zone of third grade (I never thought that would happen). If you have ever taught third grade, you know that you either love it or you hate. I adored my third grade babies. Plus, it is a grade that so many other teachers dread because it is so high-stress with end of the year tests. This to mean, meant job security. No one ever wanted to take my job from me. I'm only half kidding, but seriously, no one did. I loved it because the kiddos are old enough to work independently, but they are still young enough to still love their teachers.

So, why did I chose to leave? This is a great question. I was offered an opportunity to work at the same school as my daughter. That was not the only reason, but it made it very appealing. I was a teacher before a mom, so I have worked her entire life as a teacher. I was the mom that no one ever saw. My husband was lucky enough to have a flexible schedule, so he attended parties, trips, and things during school hours. People who didn't really know us probably assumed he had sole custody, and I was not in the picture. This made me extremely sad every single time that I looked at Facebook to see pictures of holiday parties and all of the other mommies were there. So, the ability to have a bigger presence in her daily life at school was a big deciding factor. I was also offered a new challenge, and if you know me, I'm up for almost any challenge...most of the time.

I went from third grade (ten years in the same district, same school, and even the same room) to teaching special education for PreK through eighth grade. I was nervous, of course, but I was excited. People see teaching as teaching. What is the big difference of grades or schools? It's a huge difference. I explained it to my husband, who is a sales rep for a food company, like this. "Imagine that I told you that you weren't going to sell food anymore but chemicals. It's a totally different ballgame, right?" This made more sense than anything that I had ever said before.

I was beyond blessed to follow an AMAZING teacher. She was so great that she left me a copy of everything, and I mean everything. She was one of those ladies that prepares for the whole year the month before school is over - that was me, but not this time. She had copies already done for this year before school left out for summer break. Did I mention that she was AMAZING?!? I couldn't not of made it without her. She, more importantly, also left me with two wonderful ladies to help: my director and my teacher's assistant. Without them, I would have cried every day this year. They have been my rock!

So even with all of this help, I had to learn objectives for several new grades. I also had to move and redecorate rooms. I also had to take two special education certification tests as well as learn how to be a special ed teacher. Now, don't misunderstand me. I knew how to manage several different levels in one room with several learning diagnoses along with several who would eventually be on IEPs, but there is more to it than that. The paperwork and learning how to work with testing reports, writing IEPs, working with EdPlan. It reminded me of "Lions, and Tigers, and Bears...oh my!". Oh my, was right. I was nervous, but I was pumped to learn something new.

I learned all year long. I am still learning each day. I not only about new objectives, new people, new kiddos, but I also learned more about myself. I act funny and crazy sometimes because making others laugh helps me. I know that we all learn better when we feel less pressure. I learned that I am strong. There were times when I didn't think that I was enough. I wasn't sure if I was going to give each student what they needed. That hurt my heart a lot. I am a perfectionist, and I do not like to fail. I have to remind myself often of my favorite quote by Helen Hayes, "The expert in anything was once a beginner.". This year was definitely a learning year, and it has been amazing!

As I enter May, I am thankful. I am also thankful for more time spent with my daughter. I am thankful for holiday parties that I can attend. I am thankful for lunch where I can eat beside her. I am thankful for all of her teachers who teach her but more importantly love her so much. I am thankful that next year both of my daughters will be with me. I am thankful for my new teachers friends (my soul sisters) who all welcomed me with open arms. I am thankful for all of my other teacher friends that I don't get to see as often as I'd like, but I know that they are still always there for me. I am thankful for the amazing school climate that is made possible because of the hard work of EVERYONE at my school. I am thankful for the indescribable leadership that runs our great school. I am thankful that I get to call my new school home.