Pages

Recent Posts

Monday, July 28, 2014

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.

12 comments:

  1. You're such a sap.

    Hehe, just kidding. New and great things are happening! You'll be awesome!

    xo,
    Alisha
    Missing Tooth Grins

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. I totally am. AND I am totally ok with that! :)) Thanks!!! I'm excited and nervous!

      Delete
  2. Changes help you grow professional and personally. That doesn't make it easy though, does it? I'm starting a new position after 20 years in the classroom. Bawled like a baby the entire last week of school. We will both be ok :) Good luck in this new, amazing journey!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly. I just have to keep that in mind. :) I'll keep up with your new journey! Good luck!

      Delete
  3. I completely understand. I have changed twice for schools. This is the first time in six years I haven't changed rooms so I'm pretty pumped. I wish you all the luck in the world darlin. I cried every year too.
    Just a Primary Girl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who cries like a baby! :) I'm so glad you don't have to change rooms because that room of yours in a beauty!

      Delete
  4. You are going to be GREAT! You can always go back to the babies if that's what you feel led to do. You are so blessed to be in a halfway position that will help you figure out which direction you are supposed to go forward in. I'm excited for you and I'm excited to follow you through your new journey this year!

    Kristin
    My Carolina Classroom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Yes, that's true. I can always teach in the future. Thanks for the kind words. I'm excited too!

      Delete
  5. You will be wonderful!! I'm excited to see what God has planned for you and will reveal to you through this....please keep blogging about it so we can see what it's like and how He is working in and through you! ♡ keep your chin up, buttercup...those Littles love you no matter what!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! :) I will definitely keep blogging about it. Heck, that's my job! LOL All things communications. I appreciate the uplifting words!

      Delete
  6. I totally relate! Picture of my old room are popping up on Facebook as one of my teacher friends moves into it. It was actually her room before it was mine so she's getting it back. Bittersweet for sure. I don't think I'd be able to face one of my little ones yet.

    Best of luck this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I felt so much better after reading your post. Sometimes I get in my little pity party lol. I'm glad to hear of others who are going through a similar time. Facing my little one was HARD. I barely said anything. It's all a blur now....and I guess that's a good thing! :)

      Thank you!

      Delete

Pin It button on image hover