Anyone who spends five minutes with me or on this blog knows my love of reading.
That being said, I'm excited for a new opportunity at my school site.
I have mixed emotions about starting at a new school. I'm excited for the change and my new grade level. I'm excited that I get to keep teaching fifth grade because I love the content and maturity level of the students. While I think kindergartners are precious, I don't want to teach them and commend those brave souls who do. I don't want to deal with an excess of tattling and other tasks that come with the adorable little ones. I know myself well enough to know I lack the patience that's required for the little ones...although the smaller class sizes would be nice! I like that most of my students are working on comprehension, not blending. I like that we get to read books and talk about them.
I like that my new school has a consistent reading tracking system that is used K-5. I like that the students know their reading levels and the data is transparent. Reading trackers line the hallways and students own their growth, which is wonderful. This does mean I need to level my library...
I've started! Kind of...
Each book will have a sticky label inside with my name, the book level, and the AR quiz number. On the spine will be a colored sticker indicating the book level. The entire school is leveled this way which helps the students pick a "just right" book.
I am excited to move stuff into my classroom (and B is excited to get the spare room back). This is currently our third bedroom:
One part is going to my classroom, part is going in the garage and the rest is yet to be organized. I've got time, right? I don't go back until the 11th...plus I'd rather finish reading The Mark of Athena?
I am so excited to organize and set up my classroom. It was nice to go through all my teaching supplies and weed through the ones I really want to take in and use this year.
On the subject of this year, I'm excited for a new opportunity. My principal asked if I'd like to be a math site leader. I jumped at the opportunity to learn more about math instruction and the leadership opportunity. I held a lot of responsibility at my last school and had to learn to share the work load (once I had a team I could trust to not only do their jobs, but do them splendidly). At my new school, I know my new team is qualified. I don't want to step on any toes, but I also don't want to come off as a slacker. So I'm excited that I get this chance. I report to training on the 11th and have four days of six hours of math instruction and strategies. I'll also have eight Saturdays throughout the school year and lead trainings at my school. While the trainings start at seven am, I am excited that the training site is about ten minutes away!
I had my first tutoring session with my third grader today. She's adorable and loves learning, which is a nice change. Her mom brought me data from her last report card and talked about what books they should get from the library. It was so nice to see a positive family focused on school!
We read two passages on Helen Keller and set up her reading notebook. We made a graphic organizer and talked about strategies. She did really well!
We are going to meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for an hour and a half. It's time to dig into my very unorganized guest bedroom (teacher closet) and find some fluency activities and reading games!
I'm not very good with summer plans. Two years ago, I experienced a week of learning at Mt. Vernon with a teacher's academy and a week in New York City with the Mickelson Exxon-Mobile Teacher's Academy (MEMTA). Last year, I attended DENSI for a week of technology and teaching. All three experiences were incredible and I learned so much from fellow teachers across the country.
This summer, I'm not doing any teacher academies. With moving expenses, I simply couldn't afford the airfare to DENSI (Nashville). I didn't sign up for my district's teaching classes in time and now that I'm 97% moved in, I find myself with lots of free time...which I don't necessarily cope with well.
My boyfriend is like the rest of the world and works during the summer. Many of my teacher friends are traveling back home or working second jobs or putting the finishing touches on their own homes or spending time with their kids. I just had family visit, my home is done (with the exception of a few lamps and dishes at the old apartment), and I don't have kids yet. I'm trying not to spend a lot of money so travel is out.
I'm doing a lot of reading, which is wonderful. But I still find myself with a lot of free time. I know I should enjoy this time since it will vanish once the school year starts. It will vanish once I have kids.
But I am pleased that a summer job has appeared. I have the opportunity to tutor a third grade student. My realtor of all people reached out on behalf of one of her other clients. It will only be a few hours a week but it still gives me an opportunity to interact with kids.
I'm excited for this opportunity!
As I previously shared, I am looking for a change. I've been at my school for five years and since we're transitioning to year-round and that's not something I desire. The 17 mile commute (each way) is taxing and I'm looking for somewhere closer to (my new) home.
I found it.
I showed up at the school and was sent on a tour with the school's two coaches. We clicked immediately (and not just because we had the same polka dotted 31 bag!). The school has a very strong reading program and so many books. We actually had our interview in one of the literacy labs and being surrounded by books is just fine by me! I met the grade level and I think we'll get along just fine!
The school has very high standards and believes in transparent data, which is a great thing. The students should know exactly where they stand and how they're growing academically. There is a huge emphasis on teamwork and collaboration.
The interview was with the principal, assistant principal and grade level. I was at the school for about an hour and left feeling so excited about the opportunity.
I've spent the last twenty four hours in nervous anticipation, wavering between telling everyone how great I think the interview went and keeping my nerves to myself, in case it doesn't pan out.
We were doing our CRTs today, so all my technology had to be turned off. My cellphone also died, which only contributed to my anxiety.
Luckily, my fears were soothed about five o'clock this evening. I was offered the position, which I immediately accepted. I have to tell my administration tomorrow morning, which will be a hard conversation. I'm headed to my new school after work to sign my transfer paperwork to make everything official!
I'm excited for this new opportunity! I will miss some of the awesome coworkers (they know who they are!) but this just means we'll have to prioritize happy hours next year.
Onward and upward!
I've been at my school for five years now and it's time for a change. We're going year-round and that's not something I wish to do. While I would appreciate the track breaks to separate the year, I don't think I'd be able to fully enjoy them. I would be constantly working on school stuff and planning units on my breaks, which isn't good for my mental health. I was a first year teacher, a first year graduate student, and on an undesired track...it wasn't pleasant. I don't wish to repeat that year-round schedule again unless I was in a specialist position.
So the time has come to branch out. As previously stated, I applied for a coaching position and was briefly devastated when that didn't pan out. I won't have the coursework to be hired provisionally as a librarian, but that dream is still on the back burner. I applied for a literacy coach almost a month ago and haven't heard back either way, which is frustrating. I applied to be a digital coach and am in the wait pool, which is better than nothing.
So I decided to look at the transfer list for my school district. I'm hoping to stick with fifth grade because I'm a little hesitant to try both a new school and a new grade level at the same time.
I looked for schools nearby my new house that were on the traditional 9 month calendar and had fifth grade openings.
Low and behold, I found one.
So I called the office manager after school. She asked me to send in my last evaluations and a resume, which I promptly did. Not twenty minutes later, I had a call from the principal to set up an interview.
I'm really excited about this opportunity!
It's right after school tomorrow, I get a tour and then the interview. I'm crossing my fingers it all works out as it's meant to!
On a very random note, the Principal's last name is coincidentally the name of the high school I attended in Arizona. Very, very strange...but perhaps a good sign?
Fingers crossed!
