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Monday, June 23, 2014

Change is Hard

Hello, Friends!

I last blogged on May 14th.  Wow! Let me explain where I've been.  Physically, I've been in good ol' South Carolina.  Mentally, I was not here.

I was having fun ending the school year with my little munchkins.  I was even planning how I wanted to decorate my room and what I wanted to leave up on my walls.  I won't even mention that I was thinking about what I wanted to change about my lessons for the the upcoming year.

Two days.  Two days before the end of the year, I was called into my principal's office.  She said that I was being moved to 3rd grade.  I cried and cried.  I didn't want to leave 2nd grade. I've been teaching 2nd grade for four years.  I taught 5th my first year and asked to move.  I love the little kids.  I wish that I had my early childhood degree.  

I felt like my heart shattered.  I didn't understand.  I didn't want to understand.  A teacher that I work with told me that I was letting the Devil win.  She was right.  I let the Devil right on into my heart.  I was furious and upset.  I took home ALL of my teaching stuff.  It's currently stretched from one end of the hallway to the next. When I said that I was upset, I meant it.  My plan was not to return.  I wanted to get another job.I didn't want to talk about it.  I wanted to pretend that in August she was going to change her mind.

Well, I truly believe that God places people where they need to be.  I did not get another job, and I am okay with that. It has taken me until  now, to be okay with the decision.  
I got over it.  Today, I finished up my long range plans and sent them to my team leader to see what she thought.  I'm actually a little excited.  Change is hard, but change is also good. 

My principal did not want me to loop.  But, the good news is that I will know almost every child that will be in my classroom next year with the exception of any new students who enroll.  It is really neat that I will get to start my year off already knowing my students.  That is exciting.  

So, that's where I've been. I'm heading to the beach next week.  I'm ready for a vacation.  I should be back to blogging at least once a week after that.  I miss my friends.

Last, I'm now having to think about changing my blog's name.  Huh...lots to think about.

Lots of love,
Jeannie

18 comments:

  1. Change is so so hard! Just think how smart those big kids will be at the beginning of the year, not beginning of the year little second graders! I just had my first year back in third after being in first grade for years and years. You will grow to love it too! Enjoy your vacation and rear up.

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    1. Sorry, rest up. I hate auto correct!

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    2. Thank you, Deanna. They will be so much more independent.

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  2. I'm glad you are feeling better about the change. I am still trying to wrap my head around going down to second and what a transition it will be, but like you said, I think change is good sometimes. I LOVE third grade but deep down, I think my heart knew I needed a change too. Also, I would go with a blog title that doesn't include your grade level. =) You never know where you will end up!

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    1. Let me know how I can help. I love 2nd grade. They are so sweet.

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  3. That happened to me after my first year of teaching. It's hard, but I actually ended up loving the grade level more that I got moved to! It will all work out. Hope you enjoy your summer!

    Jordan
    Team V's Second Grade Fun

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    1. Thank you, Jordan. Hopefully I'll love 3rd even more.

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  4. Change is hard. I am not a fan of change at all. I am a creature of habit. Yet, since the week we got out of school, I haven't wanted to go back to 2nd. It will be my 3rd year teaching second. Something about it just feels off. Maybe it's because this past year was so difficult. I do, however, believe there is a reason we wind up where we are. I have been the person to know all the kids on the grade-level and it is super awesome. I think you might like it more than you think. I wish you the best. And definitely enjoy the beach.
    - Sydney
    Lessons Learned

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    1. Thank you, Sydney. I hope your year is better this year. You are right that there is a reason for everything.

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  5. You are so right about change being hard...especially when you don't see it coming! I hate that you've had to go through this! I will say that I also taught 2nd grade for 4 years and loved it! I've been teaching 3rd for 3 now and I love 3rd too! It's an awesome age and they are so much more independent! I think you're going to love it!!
    Rachel
    A Tall Drink of Water

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    1. Thank you, Rachel. I student taught in 3rd and loved it. I hope I enjoy teaching it again.

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  6. I totally agree with you that change is hard! I hope that the transition will be as easy as possible for you!

    I interviewed a few weeks ago and hoped that I'd get the 2nd or 3rd position, but I got and accepted a 5th grade ELA position. It wasn't what I hoped for, BUT I've told myself over and over that God doesn't make mistakes and I prayed to him before the interview and I feel like he put he where he want me, even though I wanted to move down to teach little kids. I understand your feelings totally since I've felt the same.

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    1. Thank you, Lana. I am so glad that you found a job. You will do great with those 5th graders!

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  7. I went through a very similar situation where moving to 3rd grade was a very real, yet unwanted (in my opinion), option. I had come to terms that God would put me where he wanted and knew that I would be able to make the biggest impact on kiddos - no matter what age they were. I did end up being able to stay put in 2nd, but I will be thinking and praying for you as you go through this change. I don't know anyone who has taught 3rd grade and hasn't loved it. I'm sure you will grow to love it, too! God always knows what he's doing...

    Enjoy your vacation!
    Mallory
    Sprinkles for the Teacher

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    1. Thank you, Mallory. You are absolutely right. God knows what he is doing. Glad you were able to stay in 2nd. I've heard great things from 3rd grade teachers. I'm hoping for a great year!

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  8. Karen, I'm so glad that was a great experience for you. You are a GREAT first grade teacher. :-) I'm hoping that you are right and God is setting me up for bigger and better things.

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  9. I can't imagine how you feel!! I absolutely love my job and it is always scary as the year ends and principals begin to think about moving teachers around for the next school year. I wish you the absolute best! You are a GREAT teacher and I know you will learn and grow a lot this upcoming year!! :)
    Mrs. Black's Bees

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    1. Thank you for the kind comments, Brittani! I will take this as an opportunity to grow. I'm hoping I love it. I know I'm gonna miss the primary kids!

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