Tag: teaching

This song from the Avett Brothers seems to be talking about the life as a touring band. Since it was recorded back in 2002 when the brothers were much younger and without young families of their own, I’m sure their attitude on traveling from city to city was that it was a fun and exciting way to live.

A lot of movin’, A lot of rollin’
A lot of drivin’, A lot of strollin’
A lot of leavin’ here
A lot of arrivin’ there
Trying to go just about everywhere
A lot of thinking about where I’m going next

Country to my left side
Country to my right side
City to my left side
City on my right side
Banjos and back seats
Side roads and side streets
Well if you wanna stay for dinner
I’ll throw my suitcase in the river
A lot of drinkin’ here
And drinkin’ there
I’ll play and sing just about any damn where
A lot of thinkin’ about where I’m going next

That last line is what inspired me to write tonight. As an elementary teacher, I normally know by June what grade I’m teaching the next year. However, I haven’t had a traditional teaching career in that I have left many positions in order to follow what I felt what was the right next step for me. Logically, this isn’t exactly a smart thing to do because as I get close to 30 years of teaching (YIKES!) my retirement pension will be based on the last 3 years salary. Jumping from one district to another has meant to start over as far as salary goes. But the value of all the experiences and friendships I have had at the various districts have made me a better teacher and person.

Yet this year things are different. My school is being changed into a middle school so I’m going somewhere else no matter what. It is a much different thing to be TOLD you have to start over rather than choosing to begin again. So, my mind has been turning with all the different scenarios that could take place:

I could end up at a tolerable (i.e. good principal and staff) school within my district. I could end up being transferred to a school where I know I would not thrive as an educator. I could leave the district and/or area and start over in another district/area.

The first two decisions are totally out of my control which is why I’m a little unsure of them. The third choice is one I have done over and over again but which financially makes the least sense. It is also the choice I feel most comfortable making. At this point in my career, I know what I’m willing to put up with as far as the environment in which I teach. I also know I’m a damn good teacher who is always willing to learn more about her content and practice. I love my students and bend over backwards to help them believe in themselves. You would think that anxiety and worry would be my constant companions as these last few months of school roll by. But to my surprise, the opposite is true. An eerie sense of calm has come over me as I ponder the possibilities. In the past I’m sure this uncertainty would drive me crazy. Part of the reason I’m such a successful teacher is that I like routines and use them to help kids feel secure and confident in themselves and in their environment. So why isn’t this quandary throwing me into a tailspin? Well, here are a few possible reasons:

1. I know the Universe has my back. Things like elementary schools converting to middle schools don’t happen every day (or every century for that matter). So that means there is a reason this is happening. I have learned through experience that changes in my employment always bring about their gifts and their lessons. While I may be a little wary of which lesson this change is going to bring, I know it will enrich my life.
2. If I’m honest the “energy” of the building has been off for me for a long time now. I hate to go all “woo woo” on you, but this is actually something I learned to detect a long time ago when I was a visiting literacy coach in Rochester, NY.Part of my job involved me visiting 9 different schools within one district. I could get a feel for a building within the first 10 minutes of being there. I don’t mean whether or not there was good discipline or whether there were high achievers everywhere. No, the energy was a mix of the welcoming attitude (or lack of), the expectations of the staff in general, and something else that I just could never put my finger on. But what I did know is that school buildings have an energy that no one person can change. Although I don’t feel this move is in the best interests of our elementary students (which angers me so much…but that is a rant for another day), I do feel it will be best for the teachers who will be transferred.
3. Compared to the turmoil in my personal life, my career is my solace. If you regularly read my blog, then I need to go into no detail there. If this is your first time visiting, let’s just say I don’t make the best decisions when it comes to my love life. I wish I could say this is a new thing but I have always been able to rely on three things in my life: the love and support of my friends and family; the disappointments that come along with choosing inappropriate men; and the gratification that teaching provides me. No matter how bad things get when it comes to my love life, my ability to work with kids every day helps me transcend the pain and reminds me what is really important in life.
4. I know I’m a great teacher who is nowhere near being burnt out despite working in some difficult circumstances. Burn out is such a common experience in my field, and my opinion is that staying in one school or one grade level can contribute to burn out (although not as much as having an unsupportive administrator or being frustrated year after year by a district whose decisions seem to lack much thought around children). The urban district in which I work now is a place that has its share of burned out teachers (and administrators) and has driven many young teachers to seek out a new career field. Yet I’ve been successful in not only educating my students but in making relationships with families, students, and staff. Fans of Mr. Sinatra will have to forgive my slight rewording of his trademark song by saying “if I can teach here, then I can teach anywhere.”

My career at this point of my life is reminiscent of the carefree attitude of this song. My fervent wish for my co-workers is that they all end up in situation where their strengths can be best utilized and their welcome is warm and accepting. As for me, I know I’m going to be fine no matter where I end up. Whether I’m leaving here or arriving there, I will take on the breezy feel of this song with me.