Holy Toledo!
First, I consider moving. I look up state salary averages. I look around for different places to work. I start accepting, even looking forward to the fact that I might move.
Second, I find out that one of our teachers is leaving, an existing teacher fills her spot, and his spot is now open. I feel assured that my position is not at risk, and I begin to think maybe I was a little too hasty in thinking a relocation might be in order.
Then today happens.
After school I was talking to my friend Lorna. She is a good confidante at school. I never worry about her talking about things that we discuss. We talk about everything—doubts, concerns, and celebrations. She is the SED teacher (I have five of her kids part of the day), so she often walks through my room and we chat. I told her about my thoughts of moving. At first she was a little shocked, but after talking to her, she completely understood. In fact, she was very supportive of the idea. It felt good to get it out in the open!
We also discussed the goings-on around school. The changes are mind-boggling and funny. It’s kind of refreshing to see the bustling changes that are happening. People are scattering to and fro. She and I discussed what might happen with the kindergarten class that Kent is leaving. The rumor is that one of our first grade teachers is going to take over. We have a first grade class that is team taught by and husband and wife. He teaches in the morning, and she teaches in the afternoon. The started doing that about eight years ago, when they had their first child. They have three sons now, and the last one is in their first grade class. Mrs. H has been talking about returning to full time (and therefore Mr. H would, too), so this is perfect timing!
It’s truly amazing how things work out.
After Lorna left, I got curious about what was going to happen. I didn’t think that it was going to affect me. I was merely curious. Kent was still in his classroom, so I went into his room and asked him about what was going on. He was clearly excited to be moving grades. I inquired about what was happening with his kindergarten. He affirmed the rumor that Mrs. H would be taking over. Although things were not in writing yet (red tape, ya know), it appeared that she would be the one to teach it. It made sense.
Then he dropped the bomb on me.
We started talking about how things would change even more next year. Out of the blue, I am told that because one of our first grade teachers will be moving up to fourth grade upon Barbara’s retirement, someone will have to take a first grade class next year. He said that my name had come up in a conversation involving him (Kent) and our principal. [Gulp!]
Wasn’t I just saying that I’d never do a kindergarten class? Well, first grade isn’t much different! I don’t want to teach first grade. Nope. No way. I love the kids that are that age, but I really don’t want to teach kids that age. I’d rather go upward! I told Kent that there’s no way that I’d do it voluntarily. When he went on to say that it might even be a Kindergarten/first grade combination, I went so far as to tell him that I would move first. He was surprised! Where did that come from? Heh. It was not in any way an ultimatum, and I assured him of that. I said that it just might be time for a change. I reminded him that at the end of each year I am uncertain of whether or not I’ll have my job at the end of summer. It’s emotionally very hard.
The rest of the time that I was talking to Kent, I was bombarded by one thought after another. I couldn’t just leave without knowing what the heck was going to happen. I wished Kent good luck (although I’d be seeing him plenty) and left with a smile pasted on my face. Inside I was panicking. I wonder if my face went white. It’s always very noticeable when I am stressing out. Heh.
I went into my room and got ready to go home. It was about 5:30 P.M. or so, and I wanted to see if my principal was still around. He often is. Sure enough, as I was walking to the office, I saw that his door was open and his light was still on. I peeked my head in and asked him how things were going with all the changes. He had no idea that I had just talked to Kent, and I was very nonchalant about the whole thing. (Sneaky, I am!)
Sure enough, the topic of changes for next year came up. He basically said the same thing that Kent had said: a first grade teacher is needed for next year. Our enrollment numbers aren’t high enough to afford a new teacher, so he said that he would have to take an existing teacher. He then went on to explain how and why things were going to have to change.
We have ten teachers teaching K through third grade. That’s exactly the number that he’ll need for next year. There are four teachers who prefer K and first grade. There are six that prefer second and third grades. Those are the current teachers. Unfortunately, because of the numbers, he needs five teaching K through first and five teaching second and third. That would mean that, unless someone volunteered, one of the current second or third grade teachers would be moved to first grade next year. I nodded my head and said, “And that would be me, wouldn’t it?”
Oh yeah, it feels good to be the one with the least seniority! Heh.
So, within a matter of days, I have gone from sure that I am going to move . . . to maybe I should stay . . . back to thinking it’s time for me to move. All signs are pointing toward moving.
There you have it. I do believe that I will be relocating this summer. I am actually pretty excited. It felt right. I have a peace about the whole thing. Now it’s just a matter of finding a job.
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