My Teacher Story

It seems that I've wanted to be a teacher forever. My clearest moment of this was in 2nd grade. My 2nd grade teacher was wonderful! She made learning seem like so much fun, like we weren't learning and just playing games. I knew that one day, I wanted to do the same.

Everything I have done in school has been to prepare for being a teacher. My high school was awesome, as it had voctech programs that we could do (cosmetology, food, banking, hospitality, CADD, automotive, etc). It was a 2 year program, and I of course, did the education one. The first year, I worked with 3 year olds in the preschool. They were a lot of fun, but it taught me that I could NEVER be preschool teacher, I don't have the patience! The next year, I worked in a 2nd grade classroom and LOVED it!

 The college I choose to go to had a student teaching aboard program, so I did a student teaching in 6th grade in Scotland (Glasgow). It was pretty cool, and I loved learning about how another culture views and implements their education system. I did my second student teaching in Painted Post, NY in a 2nd grade.

When I got out of college, I did some subbing in a local district (okay, a lot of subbing). The last 2 months of the year, I covered a maternity leave in 1st grade. Funny thing is, I had never wanted to teach K or 1st, because I thought they were just too young. It wasn't until I subbed in a 1st grade that I thought I could handle it.

The next 2 years, I taught Kindergarten. The first year, I did a maternity leave cover at my elementary school (which made the teachers that I had still working there feel old! :). The second year, I taught at a private preschool (BIG mistake!).

After realizing that I could no longer continue working at a preschool, I took a para position in Transition (the step between K and 1st, when they need more time). It turned out pretty good, because the teacher was out more than she expected, and I picked up the slack.

Last year, the day before school started (literally!) I interviewed and was hired for a 4th grade position. The district received unexpected money from the state, and they were able to add in teachers. I had a wonderful time, but the last weekend in March, the principal told me I wasn't needed for next year. They had a maternity leave come back unexpectedly in the district, and...well...you know what happens then.

There have been a few times (twice in college and once a few years ago), that I've stepped back, looked at my life and asked myself, do I want to do this? Is it worth it? Is this what I am meant to be doing? The answer has always been yes, and this last bump was not one of those times. 

Fortunately, I knew early enough to start the job search (for the 6th YEAR in a row). This time though, something amazing happened! I started getting calls at the end of April (which had me flabbergasted!) and I interviewed in three districts before my new district offered me a 4th grade position (because of my previous experience and my 5-8 SS cert). So, for the first time ever, I had a job before the end of May.

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, and that wherever I go, I help those students before I need to help others. I'm hoping that this will be the last move, and that I've found my teaching home, but only time will tell.

So, that's my (surprisingly long!) teacher story. I've been working with kids for over 12 years (a long time, I think, for someone under 30!) and I truly believe that this is what I am meant to be doing. Working with kids, advocating for them and trying to teach and enrich their lives. What's your teacher story?

Go link up at Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn