It's Official

One of my teammates will be leaving our school. We found out today that her last day will be Friday and she will be splitting her kids up between the 3 of us. I will have 9 new kids after the 3-day weekend. I'm so super bummed that she's leaving. She is an amazing teacher and teammate. She is going to a school in desperate need, they have 2 teachers with 37 kids apiece, and she will really help them raise their scores. I will GREATLY miss her. Fortunately, our schools are going to be working together a lot this year, so I will still get to see her often and work with her. I told her to remember that she has an extended team this year and we will still share resources and ideas. I'm so sad to see her go, but I know it's a great opportunity for her to really shine as a teacher, her new school needs leaders. I broke down in front of my entire staff when our principal announced it. I felt like all of my bones became jello and I dropped pens that I'd been holding. Then of course she started crying and then we found ourselves hugging in the middle of the library with the rest of the staff looking at us in pity. But who cares, I'm truly heartbroken that it had to happen this way. I know that she is attached to her kids and they love her. It will be a big transition for everyone involved. I just hope that the kids can adjust quickly to my room and my current students. It's definitely going to be a huge challenge.

News

Well I was hired as the Community Outreach Specialist. I spent the last 2 days at a training. It was overwhelming but great at the same time. I already have ideas of businesses to contact for donations, now just have to actually start making calls. It should be a good year. I know that I have a lot to learn for the position, but I will get there. I will be working with a lady who has worked on the 21st Century grant program for the last 7 years, so I'm in good hands.

I had 2 students drop so now I'm at 20. As amazing as that number sounds, it's actually bad for our 4th grade staff. We are in big danger of losing a section of 4th grade. Our principal is working very hard to advocate and fight to keep all 4 of us. Let's hope he is successful, as a team we have the potential to do amazing things for our kids and the school.

I have really enjoyed seeing my "tough" kids from last year. My one little man passed all of his state assessments and I made sure to talk to mom on meet the teacher day. She was very proud and so was he. It felt amazing. He has come to see my every day after school and even stopped by on open house night just for a hug. In out training today we had a speaker who talked about making sure that all kids have 5 adults that they know truly care about them. I can honestly say that I believe I am in his top 5, which makes my job SO worth doing every day.

My other super tough kid has come to see me quite a bit, too. I'm sure I'm in his group of 5, also. He has made his day every day so far and last year it was a stretch for him to make it 2 days in a row. It's amazing what a self-contained behavior class can accomplish with the right supports and staff. He is finally going to be successful in school and he feels proud of himself. He makes sure to give me a hug every day, too. I often feel that those 2 kids, who were the toughest I've encountered in my short 4 years, are also my biggest successes. They make all the long hours well worth it.

This year, I don't seem to have anyone as challenging (yet). Right now I would say that my biggest struggle is going to be balancing my classroom duties with my after school position. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. I always felt when I was a student under time constraints that I was more productive. I'm hoping that it still holds true. We shall see!

A New Year Has Begun

Well, another year has started. I have an astonishingly low 22 kids! It's fabulous! Today was by far the best first day of school I've had as a teacher. Everything just seemed to flow. I almost had to kick parents out this morning. It seems like I will have a lot of parents want to help out, which I've never had. And...I already got a gift! A kiddo's step mom is a HUGE Gator fan and sent some things to school for me today. It was pretty awesome! <3 Gator Nation!!! I have a couple of kids whose siblings I have had in the past and they are super sweet. My biggest behavior kid was withdrawn from the school and my biggest behavior kids from last year stopped by just to ask how my day was.

I have a mostly new team this year and they are FABULOUS! I think it's going to be an amazing year. I'm excited to be in my 4th year and only be observed 1 time a year (officially). But more than that, I'm excited to not feel like such a newbie anymore! I feel like I can really step up and become a veteran teacher now. I have applied for (and most people anticipate my being hired) for a Community Outreach Specialist. Basically I will work closely with the after school activities coordinator and be in charge of really trying to get our school's community more involved. Plus, it has a pretty large stipend attached to it, but honestly it's not about the money, because the hours are pretty insane.

Anyway, I'm super excited about the new year beginning, and I'm pretty sure I've completely rambled...so I'll call it quits for now! :-)