A Bitter Sweet Day

Today was the last day of school…. I was filled with mixed emotions. Usually at the end of the year I'm sad to say goodbye to my students. This year I knew it wasn't goodbye, but rather a "See you in September!" A very strange feeling. I told some of my parents I would be looping with their kids and they seemed excited and grateful.

I think it's hard not only to be switching grades but to know someone else is going to be in "my room." Someone who may or may not care about the room like I did. I did my best to keep everything in order, keep things clean and neat and like new… I can't say that someone else will take the same pride in the stuff that's in that room like I did and that makes me sad.

My kiddos only had a half day so I spent the rest of the day doing some last minute cleaning. I swept the floor, wiped down the tables, and made sure the last of my stuff was in the closets of my new room. I assessed the damage checked out what was awaiting me in my new room and took some pictures to help prepare for the upcoming year.

I think I'm still in shock that after all these years I'll no longer be teaching Kindergarten. Even our Math coach was a bit surprised. She felt bad because I spent the last two months putting together as many Math centers and activities for our program as I could. Now I get to start all over again!

It really hit me today when I turned around one last time at the door of my classroom and turned off the lights (I waited for the sad music to start playing like in the movies… it didn't but it should have!)

The Adventure Begins

Last year at the end of June I was introduced the wonderful world of teacher blogging... I was excited to embark on this new adventure. I couldn't wait to share all that I was doing in my classroom and was looking forward to meeting new people. But things changed this year. I had a very difficult year at my job. While I loved teaching and I loved working with my little ones I was struggling day to day with actually getting myself to work. I no longer enjoyed the environment/atmosphere that I was working in. I was compromising my philosophy and beliefs each and every day to meet the high demands of the curriculum and administration. Yes the children were blooming and thriving and learning a lot... as an educator I was feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders and having trouble keeping up with it. After many months of struggling I decided that I needed to do something... I needed to take things into my own hands. I needed to make a change!

So many things in my life were changing - we sold our house, we bought property to build on, we moved in with my MIL... I felt it deep inside that this was the year, this was the time for a change! So I did it! I made phone calls and hunted online and applied for new jobs. I scheduled interviews and emailed administrators to follow up all with the hopes that just maybe the grass would be slightly greener on the other side. Many people thought I was crazy - they said you know your administration, the expectations and the neighborhood - why change. Just suck it up and deal with it... Funny thing about that, the longer you "suck it up and deal with it" the more stressed, anxious and unhappy you become. I could no longer suck it up and deal with it, I HAD to make a positive change for my own sanity!

After 6 years at my school it wasn't an easy decision... but I was a necessity. My interview skills were a bit rusty so I was nervous that I wouldn't do good, but I figured I had to take the chance. First interview was with a Superintendent... OH MY! I was terrified, but it went so well. Unfortunately nothing came of it, which I'm still a bit confused about but for anyone out there going on teaching interviews (at least in NY) that seems to be the way things work. Next up an interview in, well as the principal put it, an Urban neighborhood. I was there for over 2.5 hours and left being told I was in the top two... what a boost to my confidence, however, yet again, I never heard anything from that school again! Again I was a bit surprised to be left hanging but there was no turning back. The next interview was with a school much closer to where I live and again an Urban school in which I was told about 85% of the students have little to no parent involvement with the school. I was there for less than an hour and walked out feeling like I failed... BUT GUESS WHAT?!?!?!?! They called and offered me a Kindergarten teaching position! NO WAY! I couldn't believe it. I was baffled, shocked and super dee-douper excited!! Of course I said yes!!

So here I sit, the whole summer ahead of me and I'm beginning a brand new adventure in September. Today I received a confirmation email stating that I will be reporting to my new school in September. I'm excited, and scared, and hopeful all mixed into one! I'm proud of myself for taking a stand and doing something to better myself. I'm a bit scared because my new school is the exact opposite of what I am used to. Parking is a bit hard and the neighborhood is very different. My old job was in a pretty affluent neighborhood where I'd say almost 90% (if not more) of the parents were fully involved in the school and the children's education. I had tremendous and wonderful support from almost all of my parents each year! My new school has the opposite ratio - most parents aren't involved in their children's education and it is a lower incomer neighborhood. BUT call me silly, call me naive I have that first year teacher feeling that I can change the world! I'm hopeful that with the right atmosphere I can reach out to my new kiddies and their families and truly make a difference!

This summer while I may share many things that I have done I will also begin sharing about my new adventure! Come take the ride with me....

My Story

To help get me back on track with blogging this summer I decided to participate in KinderChat's #Kinderblog13 summer blog challenge. If you want to know more about the challenge check it out here! The challenge officially begins this weekend, however, Amy over at KinderChat decided to post a fun little warm up challenge.... so here is my story in 250 words or less!

What do you do, why do you do it, how do you do it, for how long have you been doing it, where do you do it?
I am a creative, fun, adventurous, crafty, talkative, friendly person! I am a mommy of a 4-year-old girl. I am a wife. I am a Kindergarten teacher in NY. I have been teaching for a total of 8 years now, 2 years as a first grade intervention assistant and then 6 years as a K teacher. I have always known since I was a young child that I wanted to be a teacher. I dream of teaching kinders through a hands on, interactive, small group, print rich, multi-sensory, engaging curriculum. Because of these dreams I have set out on a quest this summer to find a school for the 2013-2014 school year that will allow me to grow as an educator, and share my ideas and visions.

What do you BELIEVE about what you do?
As a teacher I truly believe that all students are unique and special and can learn... however I also believe that there are two very important factors in this - how engaged and open minded the teacher is and how much support there is at home. I believe that while teaching is my passion it is not my life... It is important to put aside my work and make my family a priority when I am home. As a mommy I believe that the best education comes from going out and doing things. Cooking up crazy things together in the kitchen, taking day trips, exploring right outside the front door, taking walks, or just laying on the grass looking at the clouds.

How do you FEEL about what you do?
As a mommy I wish I could do more! I wish there were more hours in the day and I treasure my summers where my daughter gets my attention almost 24/7! I enjoy having this special time to help her grow and learn and spark her creativity. As a teacher I have found myself in a situation that was not a positive one and have taken matters into my own hands! 2013 is the year for change for our family and this includes my career... where the road may go I am not sure but I am excited about this adventure that I am embarking on!

As a Kindergarten teacher I know rules are sometimes made to be broken... and clearly the concept of 250 words or less went in one ear and out the other! I did tell you that I was a talker and I meant it! I'd love to know a little more about you! Why not join in on KinderChats #KinderBlog13 Challenge?!?!