It's About Time I Told You...

...that I actually managed to find work as a full-time teacher in California! Considering the number of teachers that get pink-slipped every year here, it was completely unexpected. I had signed on to sub in the Monterey school district, and I get a call Tuesday night at 8:00 asking me to sub the first day of school in the morning for 6th grade at a middle school. They told me if I liked it, it could turn into full-time work. Well, I hated it. The school there is a little rough, and I really feel like I belong in an elementary, not a middle school. I didn't feel like I had a lot of help and support from other teachers. And those poor kids. It was their first day at a new school, and they had an equally clueless substitute. It was okay, and I survived, but it wasn't great. I knew by lunchtime I would not be taking it on as a full-time job.

When I called the HR office to tell them that, they informed me that they did have another position open with the same deal--if I liked subbing there, it was mine. It was for what they call a "transition teacher" at La Mesa Elementary. La Mesa is basically a military school. Not everyone there is military, but most are. As a result, there is a lot of change that goes on, especially in the first semester. To help deal with all the transition, the district OK'd them to hire a transition teacher for that first semester. This basically means they put me wherever there is the most need and it's subject to change as enrollment changes.

When I started, they thought I would be most needed in 3rd grade, which I was REALLY excited about. I've wanted to give 3rd grade a try for some time now, as they are older and more mature than 1st graders but still young enough to like school. Plus, a lot of my 1st grade teacher materials and picture books could be used in 3rd grade. At the last minute though, I was switched to 6th. I had a lot of reservations about this, but the school is awesome and I really wanted to stay, so I took it.

Turns out I love 6th grade. I love how independent they are. I love that I can joke around with them. I love that at this school, they are still good kids who for the most part enjoy school. It really has been a great experience. Sure, they are all either the same height or taller than me, and I definitely blend in as we walk to lunch or recess. But only one student actually commented on it, and they do still respect me as the teacher. Most of the time. :)

So now I am hired for the semester. There is potential that it could be extended for the year, but I'm not counting on it. And that is fine, because Nathan graduates in March. If my contract is extended, I'll stay while he moves on. If not, I move with him. It really works either way, and in the meantime we aren't counting every single penny anymore and paying off a little more of that nasty debt!