When One Door Closes

My Friday the 13th was a bittersweet day.

The Bitter....
I had to officially say goodbye to my 4th grade boys and colleagues.  I was just meeting more extraordinary educators and getting to know them on a personal level.  Many of my colleagues were turning into friends.
This was th first week my boys starting showing aggression. Was I having a honeymoon period with them or are they acting out because of all the change in a short amount of time?  Before dismissal, my boys went around the room and said something nice about me.  It was touching and I will really miss them.

The SemiSweet...
I returned from my illness on Wednesday and I was surprised to have a first grade teacher, Allison, in my room.  Her first grade class was closed and she was an extra pair of certificated hands on campus during the week.  She got a taste of fourth grade on Tuesday when she unexpectedly had to be my substitute.
On a personal level, I know Allison is very funny, kind and caring.  I was able to get to know her better in June when we went on a technology professional development in Chicago.
I should have know that her teaching skills matched her personality!  Allison was so apprehensive about leaving her first grade comfort zone.  Not knowing her destiny for this entire week didn't ease her worries much.  On Wednesday, the principal told her to go to my room.  We had no idea why but we were able to draw some conclusions.  I used this as an opportunity to pack up my belongings since I was leaving the school at the end of the week due to "low enrollment."
The following day she returned to my room.  I began to assume that she would be the one taking over my class but the principal never explained his rationale.  I was so impressed with the way she handled my boys.  I suppose good teaching is just plain good teaching, grade level doesn't matter.  The content in fourth grade is different, but Allison can easily refresh her memory.  I had a great group of patient and sweet boys that are always willing to help a damsel in distress.

The Sweet....
Allison and I served as co-teachers for the past 3 days and it has been powerful.  We both had many opportunities where we learned from each other.  I gave her some pointers on working with the "big kids" and she was able to model many different strategies.  For example, there is one kid in particular that loves to give me a hard time.  It can be so frustrating when you feel like you are driving head first into a brick wall.  Having Allison give me a fresh prospective on the possible causes of the behavior.  She reminded me that kids have problems too.  Having her there to remind me gave me a better outlook on how to reach all children.  Allison also model different ways of managing the class and teaching lessons.  In just a few days, I watched my boys fall in love with Allison and Allison fall in love with my boys.
I am honored to pass the torch on to Allison.  I wish I could have stayed but since I can't having Allison there eases my concerns about my boys' futures.  Now there is no need to worry.  She'll be able to update me on all the wonderful things our boys are doing.  She is not only my friend but she is a super teacher.  Those boys are so lucky to have her!  And Allison, you are very fortunate to have this group as well.

A new adventures awaits me...to be continued....

My friend: Struggles of a Bacterial Meningitis Survivor

 In high school, I made myself an honorary FOB sister, that's when I got to know an amazing group of Filipinas, aka FOB Squab 5.  I had the pleasure of dancing with them for 4 years.  Fob sister Karen, you are so strong!  The full interview brought me to tears of both sadness and joy!  You are still young and beautiful!

Is Fourth Grade Jinxed?

June 2009....
I remember being on an educational high.  I had successfully completed my first three years as a 5th grade teacher.  I felt like I had made a difference in the lives of these youngsters.  My fifth graders developed into mature junior high kids.
One week later...
I thought my world came crashing down, I was a fourth grade teacher.  My very identity had been stolen from me.  Being a 5th grade teacher is all I had ever known and wanted to know.  My first month with these little kids was rough for me.  It was hard to get them to be independent.  Everything about them was so un-fifth grade like.  I was desperately missing my big kids.
6 weeks later.....
I'm over the shock of being a fourth grade teacher and I actually begin to enjoy it.  I was getting along well with their little personalities.  We had a successful back to school night where I met most of the families.  I realized that I enjoyed working with kids, the only differences are with the curriculum.
October 2009....
The annual "Norm Day" is just around the corner and my school appears to be over-teachered and under studented.  New spreads that one teacher has to go and volunteers are requested.  No one volunteers.  Surprise, surprise, I have the least seniority at my location and will need to find a new location.  Thankfully my principal appreciated my hard work and assisted me in finding another location promptly.  On my last day, my students coordinated with other teachers to throw me a surprise party.  They made all of the decorations and made sure the adults brought food.  It was fabulous and I felt like a Super Teacher.  It was touching to see how my little fourth graders came together and made a solid plan without me every suspecting anything.
My new school wasn't too far away but it was in primary grades!  I threw a hissy fit when I had little fourth graders and now I have little first and second graders.  I didn't want my previous bad attitude to affect my relationship with this new group of students.  I had to keep reminding myself that I enjoy working with kids.  There are some vast developmental differences between students in the lower and upper elementary grades. My way of teaching needed to adapt to meet the needs of these little ones.  I sought out help from any teacher that would help me.
I went on to have four successful years teaching first through third grades.  I was able to continue working on  my National Board teaching certification (Got it November 2012).  Watching my youngsters grow and develop after they left my class was an extremely fulfilling experience.  There are pros and cons for upper and lower elementary.  However, I feel like I'm always on my A game in upper grades.  It feels more natural and more comfortable.  With that being said, I have found success with each and every class that I've had to honor to teach.
August 2013....
Super excited to be the proud teacher of a fourth grade, all boys class.  The beginning of a new years always brings about lots of changes.  We are still adjusting to each other.  The first three weeks have gone rather smoothly.
"Norm Day" is approaching and right now my school is over-teachered and under-studented (yes, I made that word up).  New spreads that one teacher has to go and volunteers are requested.  No one volunteers.  Surprise, surprise, I have the least seniority at my location and will need to find a new location.  Or will I?  The dust will settle by September 16th.

I call this the Fourth Grade Jinx.  Will I ever have one complete year as a fourth grade teacher with the same students?