What’s next?
A couple of episodes ago, Mike and I chatted about transitions and interviews. Well, it just so happens that I went through some interviews and am about to make a transition in my education career. I have been a classroom teacher for the last 15 years. Stepping into my room each day, ready to hang out with my students and talk government, or econ, or history. I love every connection I made with students, even the ones that tried my patience. Those are the ones that made me better. In the next few weeks I will be packing up my classroom for the last time at the end of the school year because I will be moving on to the next chapter in my education story.
I have been selected to serve as the Title I School Improvement Specialist at Jefferson Elementary and I am beyond stoked to join the Jaguar Family! This new role is something I can’t wait to tackle. Every day outside of my classroom when I serve as my local teachers’ union president, my goal is to support teachers so they can create the best classrooms and schools possible. Although, I have been humbled and blessed to be able to serve in that role, as my term limit clock was winding down I was trying to determine what was next for me. I enjoy problem solving, helping teachers, building connections, and supporting them to be the best they can but as union president I was always helping folks from outside the building. Always a few steps removed. So I am pumped to start supporting folks inside the building, growing myself as a leader on a campus, and helping create a culture where all kids and staff feel supported and loved.
I am lucky to join a campus that I have been able to spend time at this year during my administrative internship. I have built some bonds with staff and students. Seeing how that can grow and get better is something I can’t wait for. I have two great administrators I will be joining, an awesome campus of student focused educators, an AVID model to build on, and some planning to do move Jefferson towards becoming a PBL focused campus.
This doesn’t mean I’m not a little nervous about leaving the classroom because I am. The four walls of my classrooms are that education security blanket. It’s that hometown venue where I played my best shows. I’m sure it wont be fun to pack up. I am dreading cleaning out my desk…there are five years worth of collected stuff in there. Funny side note, I used to give away random stuff from my desk as prizes for review games. Kids have won tennis balls, harmonicas, and random dollar store swag from my desk over the years. I’m sure I’ll run across some remnants. I’ll collect that stack of graduation announcements and the letters from kids and bring them with me to my next school. I’ll flip through them and remember the kids that have made me a better teacher. And of course I’ll have to pack up my batman shelf.
In reality though, this is probably the best year for me to make this transition. Although I love teaching, this year has been tough. It hasn’t felt the same and I probably don’t have to explain that to you. As an educator you know. It has just been different. I’ve started the school year over and over this year. Ping ponging from virtual to hybrid to in-person and then starting it all over again has made for a year that never felt settled and a year where I just don’t feel like I hit my stride. I wrote about it a little while ago while reflecting on my classroom observation this year. Some say go out on a high note but I think I’m glad to go out on a mediocre note. Maybe it’ll help me not miss the day to day of being a classroom teacher as much.
But enough being somber and wistful….I am over the moon about taking on this new challenge and bringing my punk rock mindset with me. My passion is high, I can’t wait to help build up that unity with the students and staff, and you know I’m going to bring that DIY mindset with me!
