Melissa,
This is a tough question! I'm not sure you really know, unless you just know.
Does that make sense? I've done everything I can to stay at what I know call
my "old" school. In three years I "taught" a 4/5 mix, 3rd, half day
kinder/half day Title reading, and 6th. I really only taught 3rd and 6th, but
held all those positions at one time or another just to stay at that school.
This year I really wanted to move back down to 3rd grade. My principal was
unable to make a decision (a colleague also was vying for the spot) so I
started to look around just in case.
After a few weeks of no decisions being made I was asked to interview for a 4th
grade spot at a school closer to where I live. I decided to take it and just
kind of check things out. The interview was Monday. I was to get a call by
Friday. By Wednesday I was starting to freak out, why did I interview? I
don't really want to leave! So I called to ask a question about the position
that I decided would make or break my decision. Instead, I got a job offer. I
panicked. I had spent three years pouring heart and soul into my school. I
had helped make some really great changes there. I had people I could
collaborate with even when I had no teammate (my second year). I loved my
school. But in that moment of being offered a job a short drive from home (8
minutes vs. 25 on a major highway) I heard myself say yes. I'm not sure I felt
it, I'm not sure I meant to say it, but it came out.
Was it the right decision? Who knows! I have good days and bad days. I feel
let down by my old school, but I also feel scared of my new school. My guess?
My guess is that it's going to be a fine move. A great move if I let it be
such. I know it's going to take patience, determination and a lot of energy to
get my classroom where I want it, but I think that's why this new school hired
me. They are interested in what I have to offer.
Change is hard. Really hard. But I think as teachers, change is good for us.
It challenges our thinking. It challenges our routine. It challenges our
beliefs. And isn't that what makes good professionals great?
Good luck to you!
Kristin Mitchell Soon-to-be-4th/CO
"Be the change you want to see in the world"
-Ghandi
----- Original Message ----
From: "Zey, Melissa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
I know this sounds ridiculous, but how do you know what's the right decision?
As some of you have decided on career moves (going from teacher to specialist,
changing districts, grade levels, etc.), how have you come to make those
changes and why? Did you know at the time if it was the right decision? It's
so hard to know...
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