I know what you are thinking, where in the world have I been?!?! It has been over two months since I last blogged and so much has changed.
I am one of those people who have always known that I wanted to be a teacher. I knew at a very young age. I remember my parents thinking I was crazy because they both did something in the medical field. (The fact that I hate blood and guts may have had something to do with that.) I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to be an elementary teacher aide for two years when I was in high school with such an amazing teacher and now friend. I could not have had the opportunity to work with a better teacher. Up until that point I was not sure at what level I wanted to teach, but I vividly remember being in her classroom one day and having that a-ha moment and knew I was destined to be an elementary age teacher.
I had a great college experience and absolutely loved my small university. I would not have traded that experience for anything. My professors were some of the absolute best and I am so grateful that I can keep up with them via Facebook. I was blessed to do many of my observations within the school district that I attended as a child. I did many of my observations with the same amazing teacher from high school and I was so blessed to be placed with an amazing mentor teacher for my placement in 4th grade. I did not think I would love being in an older elementary classroom, but my amazing mentor proved me wrong. I cannot say that I loved the writing that goes along with 4th grade in Texas, but I dealt with it. My experience in 4th grade was cut short when the middle school principal called my principal at the elementary school asking if she could steal me to take over a 6th grade ELA classroom where the teacher had just resigned effective immediately. I remember thinking that there was no way in heck I wanted to do this, but I knew that it would help my chances of getting hired in the district. Ultimately I made the jump to 6th grade midway through my student teaching experience.
Long story short I finished my student teaching experience in 6th grade without a mentor teacher. The librarian, who also happened to be my favorite teacher in middle school, helped me get started and then it was time for me to be on my own. I loved 6th grade way more than I ever thought possible. It was also really neat because the kiddos in my class were part of the first group that I ever helped with when I was a high school helper. Talk about a small world. I was lucky enough to be offered the full position teaching 6th grade for full-time after I graduated and for the next school year. Of course I jumped at the chance because I knew I wanted to work where I went to school. My journey at the middle school lasted for two years before I asked for a transfer to teach 1st grade.
Teaching first grade was always my dream and I was so grateful that I was given that opportunity. It was even more special because it was where I first discovered I wanted to be an elementary teacher. My first year was absolutely amazing. I had such a sweet class and I got to teach a lot of kiddos that I already knew. First grade just felt right. I also really enjoyed being self-contained and teaching everything. However, the opportunity presented itself that I was going to be able to team-teach with an amazing co-worker of mine and I jumped at the chance for year two. I was responsible for teaching math, science, and social studies and I loved it! We also had some super sweet kiddos. This year will also always be one of my favorites because I had the opportunity to teach my God Daughter. There is nothing greater My sweet teaching partner was blessed with a baby girl in late February and she made the decision to stay home with her this school year. I so do not blame her and I honestly hope that I am able to do that same thing one day when I have children of my own.
It was time for change number three of my teaching career. We are blessed in my school district to have a tiny little K-5 school that has about 100 students at it. There is only one teacher per a grade level. It is very rare that there are ever openings out there, but there was a second grade one. I jumped at the chance and was lucky enough to get it. This school year has by far been my favorite year of teaching yet. I have 16 of the sweetest kiddos and some of the best parents that I could ask for. The culture and climate of the campus is just so neat because everyone knows everyone. I just love walking down the hall and being able to call each student by name.
However, I got a phone call in later October that put a wrench in things. As many of you know I have spent the past eight summers working at a summer camp. I grew up going to this camp and I have served as the girl's camp director the past three summers. The executive camp director called me when my class happened to be at recess so I answered. She was calling to let me know that she had accepted a new position within the organization and that her position would be opening up soon. She encouraged me to apply. I knew almost immediately that this was something that I wanted to pursue. I love camp and it will always have a special place in my heart no matter what I am doing. I have the best boyfriend ever thanks to camp. :) After some thinking and talking with my principal I decided to apply knowing I would get an interview. My interview took place on November 13th and I found out that I was the candidate that they wanted on November 19th. Wow! I was shocked.
That brings me to my new adventure. December 18th will be my last day in the classroom and my new adventure will begin December 21st. It is bittersweet leaving my kiddos and the school only after one semester, but I know that this was the best decision for me to make. I keep telling myself that I am still going to be an educator, it just won't be in the form of a classroom full of second graders.
