On a More Serious Note
Seeing how we're 1/3 of the way through the school year (I know, it's crazy but true), I guess it's high time I share with you that I changed jobs yet again at the start of this school year. If you recall, a year ago August I announced my huge decision to step out of the classroom and work at the district level as a curriculum coordinator (which is explained a bit further here). This was a big decision for me to make but I was excited for the opportunity and eager to begin. As the excitement wore off though I started to realize it may not have been the best fit for me. Don't get me wrong; I learned a lot in the past year and will always be grateful for the experience. However, teaching in the classroom fit me like a glove and though I never expected this new job to do the same, more often than not I felt as though I were walking around in someone else's shoes. Bottom line: I didn't feel comfortable and nothing felt as natural to me the way everything was for me in the classroom.
As I look back through the archives of this blog even, I can see evidence of this in the posts I wrote. Before I left the classroom I spoke constantly of teaching and my day to day in the classroom. Aside from my initial announcement about my job change last August, I haven't spoken of my job since. Slowly throughout the year I could feel my own inspiration decreasing and in the end (hindsight really is 20/20) it boils down to one simple fact: I was too far removed from the kids. It's funny to even say that because everyone told me this was their #1 concern for me as I took on my new role but, in true form, I translated this concern into a strong determination to make it work. But some things just aren't meant to be and Sarah working in a place with no kids is one thing that is truly not meant to be at this point in time.
Lucky for me, a few Instructional Coaching (and if you're interested in learning more about what that is I've included a handy link for your reading pleasure) positions opened up around the district towards the end of the year. As I learned more about this position I realized this could be the perfect fit for me. I'd be able to return to one building and become a part of their staff once again but most importantly, I'd get to work with kids again. Even luckier for me, one of the schools with a position available was one I had high interest in working with and for. I interviewed with the principal (since it was a different position an interview was necessary) and was hired.
So there you have it. I'm back in a building and so far I'm enjoying the very welcomed change. I do have to admit though, for some reason this was a very hard thing for me to write and explain and is the main reasons my posting has been so light lately. I've been so excited to share some of my experiences so far in my new job but I couldn't bring myself to explain why I had a new job to begin with. I guess I'm a little ashamed I made such a huge deal about accepting the job last August, then was over excited about how great I felt about it only to find out a few months later that it wasn't really all it was cracked up to be. I'm sure that sounds weird but it is true. I hope you understand.
The biggest lesson I've learned over the past year and 3 months is that I'm an elementary teacher. And a pretty good one at that. Teaching and working with kids gets to me like nothing else does. Looking back at a few of my Teacher Talk Tuesday's like this, this, and this makes me realize how true this is and also makes me wonder why I ever strayed away from the classroom and from the kids in the first place. Again, I'm really enjoying the change thus far and look forward to reinstating Teacher Talk Tuesday eventually here on the 'ol blog.
**Okay, are we done with the whole 'dark cloud, super serious tone'?!? Thank goodness. In other news, tomorrow is pajama day at school and it's been far too long since Mrs. Pentek has been able to enjoy pajama day at school. Needless to say, I'm over the moon excited because we all know how much I love wearing a good pair of sweatpants, am I right or am I right?
As I look back through the archives of this blog even, I can see evidence of this in the posts I wrote. Before I left the classroom I spoke constantly of teaching and my day to day in the classroom. Aside from my initial announcement about my job change last August, I haven't spoken of my job since. Slowly throughout the year I could feel my own inspiration decreasing and in the end (hindsight really is 20/20) it boils down to one simple fact: I was too far removed from the kids. It's funny to even say that because everyone told me this was their #1 concern for me as I took on my new role but, in true form, I translated this concern into a strong determination to make it work. But some things just aren't meant to be and Sarah working in a place with no kids is one thing that is truly not meant to be at this point in time.
Lucky for me, a few Instructional Coaching (and if you're interested in learning more about what that is I've included a handy link for your reading pleasure) positions opened up around the district towards the end of the year. As I learned more about this position I realized this could be the perfect fit for me. I'd be able to return to one building and become a part of their staff once again but most importantly, I'd get to work with kids again. Even luckier for me, one of the schools with a position available was one I had high interest in working with and for. I interviewed with the principal (since it was a different position an interview was necessary) and was hired.
So there you have it. I'm back in a building and so far I'm enjoying the very welcomed change. I do have to admit though, for some reason this was a very hard thing for me to write and explain and is the main reasons my posting has been so light lately. I've been so excited to share some of my experiences so far in my new job but I couldn't bring myself to explain why I had a new job to begin with. I guess I'm a little ashamed I made such a huge deal about accepting the job last August, then was over excited about how great I felt about it only to find out a few months later that it wasn't really all it was cracked up to be. I'm sure that sounds weird but it is true. I hope you understand.
The biggest lesson I've learned over the past year and 3 months is that I'm an elementary teacher. And a pretty good one at that. Teaching and working with kids gets to me like nothing else does. Looking back at a few of my Teacher Talk Tuesday's like this, this, and this makes me realize how true this is and also makes me wonder why I ever strayed away from the classroom and from the kids in the first place. Again, I'm really enjoying the change thus far and look forward to reinstating Teacher Talk Tuesday eventually here on the 'ol blog.
**Okay, are we done with the whole 'dark cloud, super serious tone'?!? Thank goodness. In other news, tomorrow is pajama day at school and it's been far too long since Mrs. Pentek has been able to enjoy pajama day at school. Needless to say, I'm over the moon excited because we all know how much I love wearing a good pair of sweatpants, am I right or am I right?
You learned the lesson a long time ago. Let me explain...
ReplyDeleteWell, I... I think that it... that it wasn't enough to just want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em... and it's that if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard; because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with. Oh, but anyway, Toto, we're home – home! And this is my room – and you're all here – and I'm not going to leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all! And... oh, Auntie Em, there's no place like home!