This summer starts a new chapter for my professional life. Before I can move forward, I have to take us backward in how I got to this new chapter.
Political drama and layoffs filled my old school district, which we will call Springfield for the sake of keeping things anonymous. I started in Springfield three years prior thinking I had landed my dream job. I had always wanted to work at an urban school. I wanted to be the best teacher I could be to students that deserved good teachers. While in college I had a couple professors who were pro-teaching at urban school districts. It piqued my interest. Then I had placements for observations or to teach lessons at a few urban schools and it confirmed where I wanted to teach. One of my placements landed me at a school that was in an extremely poor area. No one wanted to substitute there. It was second grade and I was supposed to observe reading lessons. My mentor teacher was great and gave me experience teaching in front of the classroom utilizing the "Direct Instruction" program they used. The day my mentor teacher was absent was the day I observed an incident that forever changed my teaching career. Since they did not get substitutes when someone was absent, a specialist teacher would come in to cover when available. After they were no longer available, the students got split into other classes, even ones that were not their own grades. It was frustrating for me to see this for several reasons. One- I had my substitute certificate but because I was in another state, they had different rules for substitute teachers. In my home state, you just need 60 college credits. In the state I went to college, you needed to have your teaching certificate. Two- this was a whole days lost for the students in many subjects. Three- it was a huge disruption to the other students trying to learn and the teachers trying to teach. And four-it made this incident that I observed. I'm sure the specialist teacher was not excited about being in another classroom, losing a prep period or whatever inconvenience it caused her to provide coverage for the class. I don't even remember at this point if the specialist was attempting to do the substitute plans or what anymore. All I remember is, a little girl was antsy (as any second grader can be) and was moving her leg or tapping it quietly. With no warning or anything, the specialist got within inches of the little girls face and screamed at her to keep still and quiet. I was horrified for what I witnessed and had no idea how to react. All I could do was go over to the little girls desk and put my hand on the desk as to show her "I'm here for you" without stepping on this crazy ladies toes. (Later- I told my professor about the situation and she informed me she would tell the principal.) The little girl, only in second grade, muttered under her breath, "I didn't want to come to school today. I knew I shouldn't have came to school today." No Student that young should ever feel this way about school! I was heartbroken for this girl. I was heartbroken for every teacher that goes above and beyond. I was heartbroken for all the children who will or has ever felt this way. I vowed to myself that I would be the teacher that makes kids love school and want to be there every day. It was a huge learning experience. Three years ago I thought I had landed my dream job working at an urban school district. After a ton of pro and con lists, I had quit my previous job at another school district (that's a whole other story for another day). I was scared and excited to start at a new school but was welcomed with wide arms into a new school family. It was a dream come true to be teaching preschool special education. It was a huge change since I used to teach 15-21 year olds with Autism. But I would get to be the teacher I had always wanted to be.. the one that makes kids run to school and never want to leave. I was on cloud 9. Walking around the hallways with such a huge smile on my face. Then I started to learn the political drama that would later fill our school and then result in our closing. I'll touch on this a little more in another blog another day. So the saying goes, "One door closes and another will open." I am back to that feeling I had three years ago, scared and excited to start a new school district. I'm excited to start this new chapter in my professional career. It may not be the urban school district that I had dreamed of making a career at but I'm hoping this is where I will stay until I retire. Wish me good luck! Love, Ms. Pre-K
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AuthorMy name is Ms. Pre- K. I am new to blogging but not new to the education world. I will be going into my sixth year of teaching special education this September. Archives
March 2017
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