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Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzerJ (Post 817607)

Good Morning! Welcome Pink! Sounds like you have an interesting job. This is a great thread for sharing triumphs and struggles.

I've taught for 14 years. All in elementary special education. Next year is a big transition for me. I'll be moving to 2nd grade. I am super excited and a wee bit scared. I've been a dual endorsed teacher all this time and finally I am making a break from special education. It was past time.

The last 2 years I've really enjoyed the students I am worked with but found the job of being a "case manager" and "special education team member" to be frustrating. This was compounded by working in a school with a wacky vice principal (who is the sped supervisor) and not real assertive principal. Turns out their leadership (lack of) was just the final straw to get me motivated to finally leave. I've been a bit crispy burnt out on sped for a while. I love to teach though. So the classroom is where I am headed.

The transition to 2nd grade is coupled with a big life move. My partner, daughter and I have settled in Maine together. This means a new district (big school in a small town in the "down east Acadia Region" of Maine), new grade, new everything. Luckily my partner is very supportive! My daughter is going into 2nd grade too so this is becoming quite the family bonding change. :)

I visited the state department of education last week to apply and learn about Maine licensure. I learned I need to retake my Praxis tests and a couple other odds and ends. So I'll be studying. I've also ordered a couple of books to refresh myself on the "general education" side of things. :) The specialist to classroom teacher perspective is going to be interesting and a ton of work.

I think I am ready!

spritzerJ,
Allow me the opportunity to say how proud I am of you! As I write this, please don't think that I'm simplifying what has been life changing challenges and decisions for you on so many levels.
You are an educator through and through ... You go to work everyday to make a difference, to move children forward academically and personally. You don't waiver on your core beliefs as an educator...though you may often have to be compliant, you are not complacent. You are ready for second grade...you will seek guidance, use the resources available and will do everything possible as a child advocate to ensure every student in your class meets and exceeds...
You do have a loving and supportive partner. The three of you are starting a journey filled with adventure, challenges, love, sacrifices, teachable moments, personal and professional ... Enjoy and cherish each and every day.
Last year was horrific. You never ceased in finding words of encouragement...Not soon forgotten...
Thank you for being you....
Best wishes with your new life! You are ready!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkisbutchenuff (Post 817633)

compliant, you are not complacent.

I. LOVE. THIS!!

"Compliant, not Complacent!" This is such a great phrase to help me keep focused as I advocate for children in my school. Thanks, BK!

Deb

Thanks for the welcome, spritzer. I love the work that I do, but being self-employed the income is far from consistent.

Your change sounds very exciting. Not sure where you moved from, but I can imagine Maine is a bit of a culture shock. I lived an hour south of Augusta for the better part of 5 years in the 80s. I used to joke that the population of the city I moved from exceeded the population of the entire state of ME, at the time.

Pink

Thank you Pink. I am laughing about culture shock. 2 years ago I moved from Portland Oregon to Portsmouth NH. Portsmouth being considered a "city" by the locals. At 22,000 I was in for a surprise on how small it was. I was working in even a smaller town. Oy that was surprising.

Now Bangor (where I live) and Ellsworth (where I will work) are bigger than I was before but still smaller than I am used to. I am actually going to the school board meeting tonight where they recommend my hiring. I've never done that before. 14 years later all sorts of firsts.

One of the things I love about this area of Maine is the friendly people who are sarcastic as all get out! It might be subtle but oohh it packs a punch. Love it!

I hope the school board meeting went well for you. It's been about 10 years since I've been up to Maine, so I have no idea how the "climate" is.

Be the change....

To all the hot teachers out there, keep up the good work!

Good Morning Educators!

Back to school season is in full swing. I bet our souther state friends have started already and have words of wisdom for us!

I am looking forward to meeting the kiddos soon and wrapping up some intense summer reading. I've been playing catch up withe regular educator all summer. Now I am ready to set down the curriculum guides (reading, spelling, math, writing) and plan with the 2nd grade team. However, I think the others would like to finish their vacations and not be as crazy obsessive as I.

Oh well. I go in again today. :) My daughter, The General, is actually very good when she goes with me to work.

Have a great day everyone! :rubberducky:

I wish I could stop random anxiety that crops up about the new school year--it doesn't start until the day after Labour Day! I just want to enjoy these last few weeks without going THERE mentally! :blink:

Wishing all the educators a fantastic start to their new school year! :)

I have same time line as you and same anxiety :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soon (Post 830554)

Starting to stop procrastinating and begin sorting myself out and start the packing process. I leave next Friday, start back to work on the 21st with kids starting on the 28th. This has been a lovely summer for me this year. I will say, I'm almost ready to get back to a warmer place as a fire was built this morning due to it being 48F outside and only 7 degrees warmer inside! lolol However, the day is warming up but its still only about 68F at the moment. I'm not feeling any anxiety yes - I'll save that for China! To all of us, enjoy the last few weeks of break!

Deb

Tomorrow is the first day with students. We have had days of meetings and unpacking. There is a new principal who is trying to whip us into shape. *yawn*

We had to unpack because they made us pack EVERYTHING last Spring. They thought we were going to move. We didn't end up moving, which is worse in a way. But I rearranged my room so that my desk is no longer in a drafty spot.

A parent called today to talk about her life and update me on her kid -- a 20 year old with a serious mental illness. He'll graduate from high school this semester. Nice kid.

Anyway, I felt so detached. It worries me. It's not like me to not care or to have to work at it. My father died this summer. I guess I felt that some of her problems were rather "high end." I was not aware that I though that or anything, but I could tell that I just didn't care much about her stuff, and it scared me. I WAS glad to hear that her son had had an OK summer. No regressing, which can happen during breaks.

Grief is weird though. It has affected me in ways I didn't anticipate, like this. I hope I snap out of it pretty quickly.

Good Luck Martina! Some years are more detached than others. :) Congrats to your student who is near graduation!

Sis... how are you doing anxiety wise now? It is getting closer.

I've been obsessing all summer. We don't start until Sept. 3rd. I don't report back until August 26th. I've been in all summer slowly getting ready. Since I don't have any boarder or decorative items and I am cute impaired I've needed extra time to do that stuff.

As a former special education teacher I know it is common to get the "special placements". So far 4 kids have been placed with me because of my experience and because I won't mind the meetings (I'm not sure if I can handle just being the observer of meetings). 2 from the "behavioral program". Sort of makes me feel at home. It is the 4 kiddos that are super high readers I am not so sure about.:blink:

[QUOTE=spritzerJ;834016]

Sis... how are you doing anxiety wise now? It is getting closer. Not so much anxiety but sadness at leaving all my family and friends. I love living in Manitoba but there aren't many job opportunities!
QUOTE]

Good Morning Everyone! Well, I'm in the last stages of getting ready to start the journey back to work. The cottage is all closed up, I'm in Winnipeg for a couple of nights at a decent hotel doing last minute visiting, appts, etc. Leave very early Friday morning for Guangzhou. Start back at work next Wednesday BUT kids start a week later. We will have the usual meeting, digging out of the classroom, etc. I'll be working in Grade 1 this year so I've got to get my early years mojo warmed up! lolol It is a lot different than working with kids in Grade 4 - more hugs to be received and given with a few tears-wiping thrown in for good measure! lolol Hope all who are getting ready to go back are well rested and have had a great holiday!

Deb

Thought some of you may be interested in this article. Please take care of yourselves this year.

IT HAPPENED TO ME: I HAVE PTSD FROM TEACHING AT AN INNER-CITY SCHOOL

ETA: Worth checking out the many interesting and worthwhile comments post-article.

That's sad. I have been lucky in terms of students with behavior issues making my life miserable. Except for my first year, I have had administrative support. And I just haven't had a lot of that. I think it's worse in Middle School. My former roommate got depressed and quit teaching. He was a Middle School teacher. The kind of whiplash stuff she was talking about -- first they love you, then they hate you, then they love you again. It's not part of my experience, but I have heard about it. It would be a lot.

But having had two of my students shot and killed in eight years -- that's been hard. I don't think I have PTSD, but like many teachers, I have to work to manage stress. Sometimes I am more successful than others.

Thanks. Interesting stuff.