Bittersweet New Beginnings

Many of you have most likely changed schools a couple of times in your careers. However, it's a first for this newbie! After interning and teaching at a school where I felt at home, I am switching to a completely different environment.

Next year, I will be working in an administrative position as "Communications Director" for the private Christian elementary school I grew up in. I am SO excited for this new journey. I am blessed to be able to work in the environment that raised me from the time I was 2 years old until 5th grade. I am thrilled to be working with some of the same teachers (and the same principal!) from when I was in school. Sometimes it amazes me that I will be down the hall from the teacher who inspired me to teach. Such a great opportunity. 

It will also be a sort of...trial run. I want to continue to my Doctorate after I finish my Master's in May. However, I'm not sure if I want to work with adults in the future, or if I want to stay with the kiddies. I hope this job will give me the opportunity to find my calling, my niche.

But still, it is bittersweet. (and please excuse the sappiness to come...lol)

Yesterday, I visited my old school to help one of my best teacher friends decorate her room and organize her book bins. I said hi to a few friends and informed others of my new position. I spent a few hours with her creating and organizing. I made sure to get a picture of my old room (through the window of the locked door).

This is what it looks like now. (This view killed my OCD self!)

But THIS is how I will remember it.

It makes me teary eyed just typing this. Maybe I'm emotional and over dramatic, but I think all teachers can sympathize with me here. We walk into these doors a million times each school year. We LIVE here. It's literally our (first) home...or at least I felt that way. We put our hearts into our jobs...

...and then we move on. And yes, it is wonderful that I have been offered this higher position, but I will miss my babies. As I left the school this afternoon, I slowly walked out to my car and sat for a while. Then, I saw one of my boys from last year. It was that kid who drives you NUTS, but who is your absolute favorite deep down. I stopped my car, said hi to his dad, and explained that I wouldn't be back this year. I didn't really have words to say for my former student. I just reminded him to be a great student next year, and to try his very hardest in 2nd grade. When I got back in the car, I bawled. This was the first time that I really got emotional over the whole thing. It sounds silly I guess, but I don't know, it just hit me. Just like that.

So now that I've had time to calm down and relax, I am feeling better. And don't get me wrong, I am very excited for this new "office job", but I am a teacher, and, at the end of the day, I always will be.