Changes... ~8-5-11

I was notified on the first Friday in August that I would be changing schools. With school finance hanging in thin air, schools are not hiring. Our district is not different. We are in better shape than most as we operate in the black rather than the red. We are not hiring anyone that is not essential to running a classroom, which means teachers are being moved around to fill the needs. Since I taught math lab the last 2 years I knew that it might be likely that I would be moved. However at the end of last year as I inquired I was assured that I was needed where I was teaching already.

Well with changes rampant during the summer months I was called on Thursday, (8/4) and asked if I wanted to go to the other middle school in the district. Because the new principal was my old AP (Assistant principal for those of you not in the biz) last year. I was tickled that she thought enough of me to ask me to switch to her school. I thought at the time that it was a request... I hung up the phone telling her thanks but no thanks. A few hours later I received a phone call - while I was on a call I couldn't hang up on - from our assistant superintendent, Mrs. S. I listened to the message that was to call her on Friday, as she was heading home for the evening. What?!?! I freaked out all evening!

On Friday, I spoke to Mrs. S knowing already what was coming. With people leaving and my position going away I needed to move to the other middle school. I had been at my old school for 7 years! And this all happening ONE WEEK before in-service was to begin. I was crushed. I spoke with several friends who all agreed that it sucked but what else was I to do. I was most ticked about the fact that I would have to move all my stuff from one classroom across town to another with little help, all while I was supposed to be spending the last few days with my two precious boys.

I was mad and upset with little I could do about it. I called my entire math department to tell them their department leader would be leaving and going to our other middle school. One of the teachers even offered to go in my place since her husband and son were at the new middle school, but "higher-ups" had other plans.

So, I figured out a way to get some help with watching the boys and my brother-in-law helped me move the big stuff. I put on a smile and with apprehension got ready to start the school year.

I was slated to teach 6th grade math again and after 2 years of being away from main stream 6th grade I was excited to get back in the game. I found the silver lining in my move. I get a window in  room (and that is a HUGE deal) and I started off the school year with a student teacher, which I could not have done without.


*** I'm sure this sounds awfully upbeat now that 5 months have passed. Had I written this in August, I seriously doubt it would have sounded quite like this! :)