Just a quickie because it’s late and I’m tired…. Today was another good day at school and I got lots done in my classroom again today. The kids had activities so I was able to go through all of my visual supports and get them organized. I printed some new ones using Writing with Symbols and will make more each day so that I can laminate them next week.

Today was the END of a bit of emotional rollercoaster ride that I’ve been on for the last week. I hadn’t mentioned it here because I didn’t know what I was going to do but came to my decision yesterday only to waver a bit today when I saw it in black and white on the job fair list… the question was whether or not I would attempt to bid on a Pre-K Severe Profound job that came available last week because the long time teacher of the class is retiring.

It was a tough decision but I decided to stay right where I am. Anyone who has been reading this blog, who knows me, or has heard me whine on Twitter knows how STRESSED out and disgusted I was about the Alternate Assessment that I’m required to do on my students each year.  The thought of teaching the population that I love without it being a grade level that is assessed was mighty tempting but, it was just about the only thing that really attracted me to make a complete change at this point.

Reasons to go:

  • no assessment
  • no punky kids in hallways/lunchroom

Reasons to stay:

  • Keeping my partnership with my teacher assistant, Mrs. M.
  • I love my kids and have a great class next year
  • I’ve got a game plan to make assessment bearable
  • I’m finally NOT going to have to share a room
  • Syd and I are excited about sharing kids and doing more cooperative units
  • We’ll be eating with our own kids so no lunch duty!!
  • We’re hooking up with a good team for next year
  • I have a principal who supports every decision I ever make about my kids
  • I’ve never felt that deep down desire to “work with the little ones”
  • I know what I’m doing after all these years
  • I have a parking place…hehe!
  • I hate change

I didn’t even attend the job fair today because I had a hair appointment and knew I wasn’t going to bid out.  I am curious to know who did take that job and if I even would have had enough seniority to get it anyway but I’m feeling secure in my decision to stay put.  (Now, if the job fair would have taken place in the middle of the assessment period, I probably would have taken ANYthing to escape it but it’s like childbirth I guess… you forget the pain when it’s all over!

So, I’m off to bed now and will wake up content as I head to school for the last Friday of this year.

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kjcardoza on June 12th, 2008 | File Under countdown | -