Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New

 Well, it's been literally YEARS since I've posted on this blog.  A lot has happened, while nothing has happened.  

The district I work in uprooted and redistricted students and staff -- it was hard, it was uncomfortable, and also beautiful and helpful.  I went to a building where I knew NO ONE -- I sat in the parking lot pulling a Cameron from Ferris Bueller's Day Off (if you know you know).  Turns out I had found a home I didn't know I was missing.  I found a group of educators that I gel with, that really do believe in being a village and team.  There are so many DOMINATE personalities on this staff that it should create drama and fights -- but somehow everyone kind of respects the power.  

Covid hit.  We went home for spring break and didn't return.  

The following year we started remote and proceeded to have 5 full schedule changes through the year as covid variants showed up and CDC guidelines changed.

The year after that it should have been easier.  Things were "normal" with masks being mandatory.  Somehow that year was the HARDEST year I've ever had teaching.  Don't know if the toll of the prior year was still hanging on -- or if it was the collective burnout from society.... but it was an awful year. 

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This year.  This year feels different.  Most people aren't in masks, though I am, and Covid still requires 5 days at home -- but isn't causing ICU panic and terror.  

This year one of my schools popped a fifth section of kindergarten (normally we have 3) and art got kicked out of their room.  We are in a flexible learning space, which is WAAAAYY better than a cart, but way suckier than being in a room with a door and walls. 

I cried.

I was mad.

I asked a friend if their school needed an art teacher.  I was done. 

My second building assignment has changed almost every year for 5 years.  We beg every year to not move because the relationships we build are important and are hard to it build EVERY year.  Then we sit at beginning of the years kick off where all they talk about is connection and relationships.

I teach 7 classes a day without time between over 7 grade levels.  It's grueling. 

I love it. 

I love the kids. 

I love the mess.

I love the noise.

Loosing our classroom space was the final straw.  It was time to move on. 

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Then an old coworker from the middle school called me and asked if I might want to teach middle school.  

One room.

5 classes over 3 grade levels.

No traveling.

No sharing. 

Yes.  Yes I'll come to middle school.

So here I am.  A few years later where everything is different, but nothing is different.  My room still has the same carpet, the room is still full of noise and mess. The kids are older, but kinders are still kinders and fifth graders are still fifth graders.  

With lots of mixed emotion I'm closing the chapter on elementary school and jumping into middle school.  I can't wait to have a room I don't have to share.  Kids that I see EVERY day instead of once a week.  I'm excited to see how middle school is the same and different from elementary.  I'm excited for the spunk and sass and silliness of middle school kids.  I'm excited for all of it.