Wow! I don’t know where to begin! I have been MIA for a few weeks and I am
sorry. I was doing so well this summer
keeping up with my blog and then I had some BIG changes happen a few weeks ago.
As many of you may know, I taught first
grade in North Carolina for 8 years. I
moved to NC for a teaching job, right after graduating college. I grew up in Ohio and knew that I wanted to
at some point come back. The most recent
severe budget cuts in NC, not to mention the fact that I was still being paid
my 4th year teaching salary, really got me looking elsewhere. I applied a couple of place in Ohio, but
really didn’t think anything would come of it.
I figured that next summer I would actually put in more effort to find a
job up north.
Then, while laying at the pool on a Monday
afternoon, I got a call asking for me to interview for a position in an amazing
school district north of Columbus. Two days later I had a phone interview and
two days after that I was officially offered the job!
So, while it may seem as I deserted my poor
little blog, I have actually been extremely busy. My new school started this
past week. So I had one week to pack up
my old classroom, say good-bye to friends, move, unpack my classroom and begin
school! It has definitely been a
whirlwind!
I originally interviewed for a first
grade position, but had been told it could possibly end up being third
grade. I did in fact get moved to third
grade, and while I had an initial fear of kids that big, I am realizing that because
they have been to school longer, the first few days of school are WAY LESS
exhausting than when teaching first grade!
I have already realized that at this school and in this district I am valued as a teacher. Not just in my pay, but also in the freedom I have been given in "how" I teach and what materials I use. Also, at the opening convocation for elementary teachers, one of the board members was brought to tears because he loves the district and what it does for kids.
I survived the first three days of
school. We started last Wednesday! I found that the lake/beach is only a 5-minute
drive from my school, and I have already had a day visit from my mom, which
couldn’t have happened living 8 hours away! PlUS... there are no shoe dress codes. Yes, that means I get to wear flip-flops to work! :) My old district was VERY strict on this topic!
Stay tuned as my new adventures in 3rd
grade start to unfold!
- Michelle
