Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Not a Typical Summer

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place to share our Slice of Life. Read more slices or add you own here.

The end of this week marks the half-way point of my summer vacation.  I was looking forward to the typical summer.  You know, reading, writing, blogging, going to the pool...

But not this summer!


The end of the school year found me at a point where I needed to make an important decision.  I was offered a 6th grade ELA position at our middle school.  I just finished my 6th year in 4th grade, and teaching was like wearing my favorite pair of sweats.  It was comfortable.  I knew what I was doing.  I had been offered the position last year, but turned it down because it was the week before school started, and I had everything ready!  I thought being offered it again was a sign, one that I could not ignore.  I said yes!

This was not an easy decision to make, because it is hard to walk away from a place where I have been going for the last 17 years as a parent volunteer, a substitute teacher, a classroom aide, and a teacher.  

Many things went into the decision, but it always came back to the fact that I get to teach the two things I love most, which is reading and writing, to almost four times as many kids - a dream job!

My one little word for this year was REACH and when it found me, I had no idea that it would lead me to this.  I am very excited, but I will miss the friendships that I have with many of my colleagues.  
They were the hard part of the decision.  Many of them were why I became a teacher in the first place, and many of them kept me going each day, even when some of those days were difficult. There are many memories contained in those two buildings, and packing up my room has been very emotional. Walking out last week for the last time was definitely an emotional level of a Hallmark commercial!  It was tough.


My home-away-from-home for the last six years.

I am moving from a school which is 100 years old to a school which is going on five years old.  I began unpacking my room yesterday, and it was overwhelming, but exciting.  I kept saying "one box at a time...just one box at a time."  It is hard for me to envision because right now, my room looks like this.



But the next few weeks, I will be settling in and creating a new classroom.  No, it has not been a typical summer, but I am OK with that.  I know new stories are waiting for me, and I can't wait to share them with you!

20 comments:

  1. Good luck with your move to sixth grade! Is your new building one where students from your old building feed into?

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    1. Yes, Kay. They feed into the middle school so I will have two years with students I have had before!

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  2. Oh Leigh Anne, it's such an exciting change. It took me lots of years to finally make the leap to 6th grade and I LOVE it!!!! I still owe you an email about my classroom library. I haven't forgotten. I am here if you need anything!!! Maybe we could Skype and chat. I'm so excited for you!!! Sixth graders are the BEST!!! :) (Your summer is half over?!?! That makes me sad!)

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  3. I look forward reading about your new journey! I will echo Kay's question. Perhaps you will have some of your old students again?

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  4. What an exciting opportunity for you! Sometimes we need to get out of those comfy sweats and try on something new. I can't believe that half of your summer is over! I know your brain is swimming with ideas for this new position. Breathe deeply, it will all be good. :-)

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  5. Sometimes it's just the right time to make a change. Congrats on your new position and good luck - it will be great to try something new in a field that you love! :)

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  6. Isn't it funny how things come together, like your OLW and this new challenge! Personally, I love trying something new. It's scary, but then I feel like I'm always learning, instead of recycling. When I was a classroom teacher, I never stayed in a grade level for more than 3 years! I've been a reading specialist for 9 years now, and it seems like every few years something major comes through and then I'm changing everything again! I know you enjoy learning, and the next few years will be just that! I'll be glad to read your posts! Will miss your 4th gr recommendations, though!

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  7. Leigh Anne,
    I moved districts, buildings, and grade levels for the past two years, so I know how hard it is to leave colleagues and familiarity. I also know it is energizing and inspiring to take on something new. Change is so good for us, and those 6th graders and new colleagues are blessed to have you. I moved from 5th, to 4th, and then back to 5th, and added 6th, so I'm here for you if you need anything! :-) I look forward to learning from you, too!

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  8. Good luck with your new challenge! Change is hard, but is usually wonderful as well.

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  9. Sounds like you are ready for a challenge! I think you will "reach" new heights!

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  10. I wish you so much luck on your new adventure. One box at a time is exactly what you need to remember and in the fall it will be one step at a time.

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  11. I love how you connect your OLW to being offered this position twice. I think it was a sign!

    Jennifer
    Sweet Writing Life
    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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  12. I'm so excited for you! I know you will love this move. They clearly want you too. This next year will be one of tremendous growth.

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  13. It was exciting to talk about it with you a bit, Leigh Anne & I wish you the best this summer & then the start of the year. What a big change & you'll be ready I know.

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  14. So exciting! I know - change is hard --- but I bet you are going to love it! Love that REACH really became the word of words for you!

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  15. How exciting! Good luck with the job shift. You are right, there is no way you can pass up teaching the two things you enjoy the most.

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  16. Way to reach out! My team teacher has been asked to possibly move to the middle school and I protest very loudly because I am not ready for change. My fourth grade class is for sure my pair of sweat pants! I don't want to break in a new pair just yet. Maybe some day, when I am older. Good luck on your new adventure!

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  17. Leigh Anne, how fun that you're stepping into my grade just as I step out. 6th graders are amazing! I'm looking forward to tagging along on your 6th grade journey.

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  18. Bravo it is your time to reach, stretch and grow. When it is time, despite the obstacles it will be just right. It will be exciting to read all about this as it unfolds. It was nice to get a glimpse of you (how great to have your colleague, Kristen join you) at All Write. :)

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