Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Teaching runs in my family. My great-aunt ran and owned a Kindergarten/preschool for 30+ years on Park Circle in North Charleston back when my dad and all of his cousins were growing up. My great-grandmother was a high school English, Latin, and Algebra teacher, and later wa an assistant principal. My aunt taught school as her first job, my mom is a Pre-K teacher and has been my whole life (she even created part of the Pre-K curriculum at her private school!), and my brother is a high school teacher. 

I guess you could say it's in my blood!

I remember the DAY I decided I wanted to be a teacher. It was after the first day of school my second grade year. Why second grade? I loved my teacher, Mrs. Cole, from day one. She epitomized what an elementary school teacher should be: she was strict, but also let you know how much she loved you. She was funny. She was a great story-teller. She gave the best hugs. She let you know when you were wrong, but also encouraged you when you were right. 

She made learning fun. 

So, ever since Mrs. Cole, I've not only wanted to be a teacher, but I have always wanted to teach second grade. I've done the Kindergarten thing, and quickly realized I didn't have the patience for the little ones, although I do miss their precious little faces sometimes. More power to you Kindergarten teachers! I've taught third grade for the past 4 years now, and I've loved it, but it still didn't feel like my best fit. Well, this year one of our fabulous second grade teachers was hired to teach a reading recovery program at the high school level, leaving an opening. As soon as I heard this, I was on the phone with my principal expressing my interest in the position. And....2 weeks later...I got the job! I could not be more excited for this new adventure and experience in my teaching career! 

Of course, with the grade level change, more changes are coming my way. Common core standards, new reading program, and a new (well kinda new) classroom! That's right...I'm moving from my shiny, white, lovely, and quite large room inside the building into a "learning cottage" (a nice way of saying trailer). Actually, I am not upset with this. It is the exact trailer I taught in my first year at my school, so it almost feels like coming home. 

However, I am going from this...

to this.

Quite the change. I am having to be really creative in the set-up in order to incorporate all of my favorite displays in the smaller space. There are some things that I am just NOT willing to give up! I know it will come along just fine, even if I'm still putting on the finishing touches 10 minutes before "Meet the Teacher" night! 

Wish me luck, and stay tuned for the finished product!