Back to the Classroom!

I'm thrilled, over the moon excited, to be saying, "I'm going back to the classroom next year!!"  And I've gotten mixed responses from others when I say this too.

I will be teaching 5th gr Math/Science next school year at a new school (well, not so new, but new to me).

For someone who has been out of the classroom five years now, it's often hard for others to really understand the thought process of wanting to go back to the classroom.  The very phrase, seems like you're taking steps backward in your educational career, but for me it's invigorating to say the least.  I will get to enjoy the most important thing about any school-the students.  I will get to do things that I've been teaching others to do.  I will get to be more self directed and less state directed, at least coming from a Testing Coordinator role to a Teacher.  Ahhhh--Teacher--The most important job on this planet!  I will get to dive in with Google Classroom with the older kiddos with all the learning I've done this school year.  I will get to do experiments, spark imagination, bring structure to chaos, communicate with families in new ways, motivate the unmotivated, and help struggling students set goals and celebrate their growth!  And I will get to use my creativity with  my content and teams of other professionals, and leave the desk and paper trail that seems to be ever present currently, behind.  So, no, I'm not upset to be going back to the classroom, I've thrilled, elated, energized, and already working on beginning of the year plans...I can't wait!

These past five years have helped me to grow like no other.  I've learned how to work with adults and all the different personalities.  I was inspired and encouraged to complete my Master's degree, which started me on my technology journey.  See, believe it or not, technology was my weakness in many surveys during that program, so I was forced to face my weakness and develop perseverance, grit, and more determination and resilience that I ever thought possible and learn, experiment, fail, and try again.  I've had the opportunity to face hard folks, hard conversations, and develop braveness and a thick skin and have learned not to take things personally, and to see what lies under the outer words, what drives them.  I've had so many opportunities to observe other master teachers in action, to learn from the best.  I've seen and experienced testing from the other side of the table.  And I've experienced a "catch-all" specialist role.  All of these experiences have made me more understanding and patient.  And all of these years have made me better and I can't wait to share a better me with some students and families this upcoming school year!  Bring it on!!!