I have to start by saying God has an amazing plan and He knows what is best! When I left the classroom a little over a year ago, I knew I would eventually go back to teaching, just wasn't sure when. I had taught 3rd grade for the past 7 years of my career at one of the poorest schools in my district. Title-One School doesn't even begin to describe the challenges I faced. There were years where desks and chairs were flying around, other years where kids were homeless, without food, or worse yet, under the influence of substances, all while in elementary school. There had been many times I had thought about leaving, but through it all I stayed, because at the time that was God's plan for me.
Then came the 2011-2012 school year. It.was.the.BEST.class.ever. At the age of 8 you would expect students to be sweet and carefree, and that is what my class was. I was able to do things with that group of kids that I had only dreamed about. I connected with them and was able to actually enjoy teaching. And the growth those kids experienced was out of this world! We worked, had fun, and I loved working. At this point, I had 1 year old twin girls at home who needed my attention and working at a high needs school, it is hard to balance family life with school life. I began to look and pray for alternatives.
I put in a transfer to another less demanding Title One School in district, but wasn't too hopeful about moving. Our district had closed transfers for the past 4 years, and had just opened them up. The words Floodgates are an understatement of how many teachers put in for a transfer. My principal began talking to me about becoming a reading teacher at a title one school. She knew I loved guided reading and everything about reading instruction, so it seemed like a good fit. The only problem was, it required a reading certification, which I didn't have. I went on the interview and then waited. After a few weeks I got a call from the director of title one saying that she couldn't offer me the reading position, but she really wanted me on her team, would I consider the Instructional Facilitator role. I was floored. Here is a job I didn't apply for, and had honestly not really even considered doing. God was once again working.
I accepted the IF job and this past year has been wonderful. Yes I have had lots of steep hills to climb, but there have also been many joys and successes to celebrate. I was placed at a K-2 school and if you'll remember from the first paragraph, I had only taught 3rd grade! I was perplexed at this placement, but trusted God. I was able to really unpack the CCSS for K2 with my teams. I also had the opportunity to teach a Kindergarten class for 2 months, something I had always said would end badly, and guess what?? Those kids are just fine! I also spent time daily in a first grade classroom. A first year teacher had taken over a retired teachers classroom in February, so I was asked to model frequently for her. It was an awesome experience. I had no clue the plans God had in store for me!
Last Tuesday, I was reading over the new Admin appointments and noticed that 2 teachers from the elementary school I attended were now moving into AP roles. The school already had one teacher position open, so this meant they now had 3! This is a school that NEVER has openings, teachers basically die there! I began to get a crazy feeling, thanks God, and decided to do some detective work. I had a friend find out if theses openings were really available, you know how the teaching world is! Once I got word they were real, I called the principal Wednesday morning. We chatted and she asked if I was even eligible for a transfer, I hadn't put in for one, because this wasn't even a possibility last week. I set up an interview for 3:30 that day and told her I would find out if I was eligible to transfer.
I decided I would not call HR at first because I wanted to keep this quiet. I tried to call some others in similar positions who had done a move like this, but couldn't get them on the phone. I finally called HR and was told to contact my supervisor. Shot Down. Well that was it, I would just remain an IF and it would be great. 15 minutes later I get a call from HR. She asked if I was interested in moving back into a classroom, I said yes, she said I needed to send my cover letter and resume to the principal. Was this happening!!!! I could actually apply for a position at the school that has been my dream since college!
The interview went great, and at 7:45 Thursday morning, I had an email from the principal to call her. I called at 7:48...what can I say, waiting is not my strength! She offered me a 1st grade position!!!! I was speechless! My lifelong career dream was coming true! My role as an IF at the K-2 school had prepared me for this job!! I would NEVER have felt confident to teach 1st if it had not been for those teachers and the experiences I had there. I am teaching in my old 2nd grade classroom, so the memories came flooding back.
If I had not trusted God's plan for me, I wouldn't be planning to start my 10th year teaching at my dream school!!! I am living out everything I ever wanted, and God knew it would happen. I just had to stick with the plan. I would not trade my years at the title one school for anything, it made me who I am as a teacher.
Check back to see what I'm planning on in my FIRST GRADE CLASSROOM!!!
