It Was the Right Choice

When I first talked about leaving the classroom, people warned me that I would miss the relationships. After all, that is what I always focused my teaching on. Relationships, constant communication with parents, and continually putting myself forward as an advocate and supporter for my students. But the reality is, my relationship with students is stronger than ever. In fact, I would say, that is the best thing about my job right now.

Last year was, and continues to be, somewhat of a blur. Focused on my mother, problems back in England, and dealing with the onset of Alzheimer’s in my beloved parent. Then I took leave and spent the summer getting things sorted out. It was a relief to have my future decided before I left, and to have the opportunity to become the media specialist. To be honest, at first, I hesitated. After all, I thought I wanted to be a coach. But that opportunity wasn’t available, and the thought of going back into five periods of ELA a day was exhausting. You truly don’t realize how much you do as a teacher until you leave that role.  As I sit here, writing on a Saturday morning, I think about the fact that I woke up at eight this morning, read for an hour, and now I’m writing. Last semester, I would’ve currently been marking essays, working on student work, contacting parents… I didn’t really have time for myself, I just didn’t see it. I loved what I did, but I was tired.

So tired.

After the decision had been made, I met with kids, formed committees, created brainstorming sheets, read a lot, talked to teachers, made some basic plans, and left for the UK to sort out my Mum.

Before I return, the opportunity to become an instructional coach again raised its head. I thought about it for about 30 seconds. I contemplated the wonderful conversations I had with teachers, who had unanimously shared their excitement about what perhaps I could achieve in the media center. I considered the time I had spent with the students already focused on being a part of a student committee and their ideas that have been flowing like an Alpine stream. Clear, constant, and wonderful.  No. The people who had said I would miss the classroom were thinking about me as a coach. And they would have been right. The media center, however, felt like the right decision.

And it was. 

Let’s consider the week that has just passed. I attended a fantastic training, that gave clarity to some of the tools I have at my fingertips as a media specialist. I spent an entire day teaching eighth graders some tips and tricks for better research that would help them with more credible sources, speed up the writing process, and even cite correctly!  I supported students as they built their reading record websites that I had helped them to create last week. I discussed book choices with multiple children. I spent two or three hours before and after school on various days working with my volunteers - from the student committee – as we created future plans, and design the bulletin board. I worked on the upcoming book fair, creating flyers, and teacher incentives - thinking about how I can make it successful. I checked in books, I checked out books, I shelved books. I set up the space for a meeting, and then for a class. I created another lesson for future students in a different grade. I brainstormed with a teacher about how she could have the students reflect upon the work they had done comparing democracy with autocracy, through a wonderful book. Her ideas were brilliant & student work will fill the MLC. I’m sure there was more, but those were the highlights.

My week is basically spent building relationships and communicating, with both students and teachers. And that fills my cup daily.

There are more goals ahead, and the student ideas keep me on my toes. I’ve worked with science and ELA and reading, and have a social studies class up ahead.

The best part of teaching for me was always the time spent with students out of class. The extras, the creativity they showed went away from their class work, and the fun we had being together. 

Now that’s my job.

The best part of coaching was helping teachers to create new things. To come up with ideas they haven’t had before. Now I get to do that every day, whether sitting down with a teacher to brainstorm, chatting over a cup of coffee, or literally teaching the class.

I always knew that there was something more than I wanted. It’s only October, but it appears that I have found my place.

It was the right choice