I’ve seen a lot of good, bad, and ugly. I’ve been told “I’m different and don’t fit in.” I’ve rarely been allowed to be a teacher I’m hired for. This first month was supposed to be anything but smooth, but it has been. The word “fluid” and “building an airplane while flying it” are the popular words in education right now. Honestly, I haven’t had that experience.
Picture the first day you arrive to your school. The doors are locked and no one can see inside. The music is blaring. Suddenly the doors open! Balloons, confetti, red carpet, and administration dancing greet you as you walk the red carpet in style! Chick- Fil-A, a variety of cold drinks, and a welcome bag with your name is waiting for you.
But it gets better! The administrations know how to pronounce your last name! This never happens…EVER! They pronounced it flawlessly. To top it off, another teacher is waiting to take me away to your classroom. As you walked the halls, artwork welcomes you all the way to your room!
When you thought it couldn’t get better, it did! Your principal has you go on a scavenger hunt to find your new house! Teachers voluntarily celebrate as you join your new house, maybe theirs. Later in the day, as you’re hard at work, music blares again closer and closer and closer to your room. Confetti rains down and you’re handed your official house shirt and another goody bag!
As the month progresses, you have many ideas about what you can and can’t do in your classroom. Every time your principal meets your idea with a responding YES. Never has this happened. You create your dream classroom, even with social distancing measures in place. As the month as progresses, you have an idea you thought my principal would surely say no to because after all, your other principal rejected it. To your dismay, not only does your new principal not only said yes but she wants to be in your classroom to witness the magic & take pictures.
What if… I told you that was my reality this August. I’ve never had a start like this to my school year. When I hear the stories from my colleagues about life at their school, my heart breaks. I’ve been in their shoes and it’s not fun. Leaving my former school was the hardest decision because I loved everything about it. Working at my new school wonderful an was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up on. I finally feel I like I can be myself and be the teacher I’ve always dreamed of being!
To everyone my from principal, the staff, especially my partner teacher, to the parents and students, thank you for allowing to teach. We’re going to have the BEST YEAR EVER!
