ISO: Magic Transporter

In keeping with the name of my blog, it's time for another ROOKIE MISTAKE.

Although I thought I was quite nearly finished making mistakes (on my road to teaching perfection), I definitely goofed when it came to scheduling our 6th grade research. Rather than scheduling it earlier in the year when the computer labs were sitting open and empty, I decided to wait until after our OCCT. I forgot that once testing starts, the computer labs are booked nearly solid for a month or two. Fortunately, I was able to scrounge up one lab for a full week. Although that sounds like a lot, it is really not sufficient for a full research paper. Add in a couple of sick days (strep is awful!) and we were even more behind. What started out as a 5 paragraph essay quickly turned into a 6 slide PowerPoint (Works cited included, 7th grade. Don't freak out. Still meeting objectives over here!). I started the week with the feeling that we might not even have enough time to complete the PPT, but thankfully it has been less stressful than I anticipated. We are doing career research, and apparently I'm training the next generation of surgeons, dentists, pastors......and Sonic carhops.

Speaking of careers (segway much?), things are going to look a "little" different for me next year. It's as if the universe knows I want to perfect one level of skill and promptly screws everything up.

Last week I accepted a job at Fort Gibson Middle School! Kyle and I have wanted to move back closer to home for a while now, and we both started actively searching for jobs near Tahlequah around Spring Break. Honestly, I thought there was no way that anything would open at the right time, considering that our lease isn't up until July, and if HE found a job first, he would have had to start long before I could leave due to the school year. It seemed like an impossible puzzle until all of a sudden it wasn't.

I've always had my eye on Fort Gibson, and when I heard there was a middle school opening, I jumped on the opportunity. I'll be teaching 6th grade still (HALLELUJAH!), though rather than either of the two schedules I've had thus far, I'll be teaching reading and writing all in 1 class period. It will be challenging, but absolutely doable. I know I've vented about how this year pushed me in different ways, but once I heard the job requirements for my new position, it all made sense. Literally every change that we made helped prepare me for the upcoming year, from the combined classes to the co-taught hour. I'm grateful that I got to "practice" teaching it all in such a supportive environment. There really is a reason for everything.

Although I'm excited for the new experience, leaving Madison is one of the hardest decisions I've made. I've already had my share of teary-eye moments, and there are more to come, I'm sure. I have always felt 100% supported by my administrators and I have the best/funniest coworkers. We ARE one big, happy family...and every person in the building has the biggest heart for kids. I don't know how any other school could top the experience I've had here. I DO know, though, that anyone who works with kids must be amazing, and although I'll miss everyeone here, I'm sure I'll be surrounded by people equally as amazing. (Side note: if anyone knows how to magically transport a school from town to town, I'm listening...)

Well, there's that. Off to grade adorable biographies and learn WAY too much about the weirdos I teach.

-Mrs. Combs #FutureTiger

Life Lessons

This weekend, Madison experienced something that no one should have to experience- the unexpected death of a loved one.

While I was not personally close with the student who passed, many of my current kiddos, past kiddos, and coworkers were very closely connected to him. When they hurt, we all hurt.

I realize that in no way was this experience about me or my feelings, but I can say that going through this time of tragedy with our school family has taught me so much.

1. It reminded me why I teach. I teach because I love these kids. English is the subject that I "get," but I'm not here for the English- I'm here for the kids. In the grand scheme of things, English doesn't matter at all. My kids' lives do.

2. It reminded me that there is so much more to life than school- and certainly so much more than TESTING. I love that I work in a building that recognizes this fact. I guarantee you that NO ONE is analyzing our friend's test score. Rather, we remenisce about his character and friendship.

3. It reminded me that kids deserve our patience- This week we were reminded (and likely internally prodded) to extend more patience than normal to our kiddos. I found that when I consciously did this, our classroom time was more productive, and our relationships grew. I will strive to start every day with this mindset. We NEVER know what a student has experienced before entering our room. While we do need to be consistent with our management and consequences, every student deserves our best every day. So I'll be taking a breathe, counting to 10 (or 100) and addressing all of my kiddos as patiently and respectfully as possible.

Please extend thoughts and prayers to Madison teachers and students who will be attending the funeral tomorrow evening.

-Mrs. C