when I started this blog I was in my 9th year of teaching; 4th year of being a 5th grade teacher and was finally feeling solid in my own theories, beliefs, and style to save and share my planned and teachable moments (even if I was going to be the only one reading it.) And I was having a BLAST. The 2012-2013 year was especially challenging as that year 5th grade was only ONE ROUND and my co-teacher who had taught 5th grade longer decided to take the Title I position at our school. But as I got into the position I was throughly enjoying myself and sharing my ideas from class was a great way to reflect. I noticed that the last time I had blogged was beginning of March and there are two reasons for that. **note it was also the last time I was on this blog** First, it was the big push/race to the PSSA testing, and that can get a little boring as we practiced test taking skills ad nauseam. But the BIG & REAL reason was that rumors of stolen/misused money from our super-intentent started to leak, as well as, the possibilities of school closing. Our school was never mentioned in the first wave of rumors, nor did the staff think that the financial situation that bad that other cuts and solutions would be found to rectify the situation.
However, at an April meeting our school name was brought into the list of possible closures. There were meeting and supporters protesting for the "small schools" and a lengthly process of being told that it would be the last thing they would look to do, but had to be a "possibility". To two weeks before the end of school being told that in a 5-4 vote our school and another school would not reopen the next school year.
Looking back at this blog has brought old tears to the surface, the blogger you see had no idea that all of her hard work, love, and passion put into this school of her dreams would soon be coming to an end. March signified a different teacher, one whose rose colored glasses turned clear. I was the one telling other co-workers we are not going to close, we'll be back in this old, stuffy building next year with new things to complain about. But the deeds of the wicked, were paid in full by the innocent. I still taught and still gave my students my all in the classroom, but with all my reassurance to others it was a heavy burden to think "what if"
The "what if" in my case actually turned into another fantastic position for me (I can not say the same for some of my other beloved co-workers, we were spread through out the district. Which has been the hardest thing, not seeing those people each and everyday, I still miss working with them dearly.) I was placed as a sixth grade social studies teacher at the middle school I and my younger sisters attended, as well as, where my father worked his last years as a teacher. He retired after the 2013 school year, I would tell the staff there "when one of us leaves, another most follow, or this school can not run properly." I always enjoyed history, but until I started teaching it as my curriculum of ancient history, did I not know how much I love learning about the people and practices in the past.
And so through all the ups and downs of the 2012-2013 school year and getting adjusted to a new school and curriculum I am itching to start blogging again about the practices and projects I bring to the study of world history.
**Side note: The theme for the Read Across America Week was 'American Author Idol'. Each classroom selected their favorite author and created a door decoration to highlight that author. They also wrote a persuasive paragraph about their author that was read over the loud speaker. Each day after lunch the students of the school would cast a vote for their favorite author still remaining. The final winner was given a "Cat in the Hat" statute (which was supposed to be passed down each year*tear*) **
