So Blessed (And Stressed!)

The rest of the Christmas pics are on their way soon, and in the meantime I thought I probably ought to update those of you who read this on my job status. As you know, in August I was hired to work as a transition teacher. (Meaning: we'll put you where we need you but we're not sure yet since the majority of our students are military and we're always in a state of flux.) I landed in 6th grade, which has been a difficult but rewarding experience. They are a tad older than I would really like, and the material is MUCH harder than I'm used to teaching and requires a bit of studying on my part. However, the kids really have been great, and now I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if I do continue to teach, it needs to be older kids. I knew I wasn't cut out for 1st grade, and I am sooooo much happier in 6th than 1st.

Anyway...my contract was only for a semester, which was perfect for us. Nathan was set to graduate in March anyway, and I'd just go live at home while he finished up his training. However, within a few weeks, it came out in a faculty meeting that this position was a new one that they were trying out, and that it could possibly extend the whole year. This also would work well for us. Rather than going to live at home, I'd just stay here and finish out the school year, and we would get our credit card paid off.

Weeks, and then months passed by without any word on if the contract would be extended. I left in December not sure what my fate would be. I took the few things I brought to the classroom home with me just in case I wasn't coming back. During the break, the principal e-mailed me and asked me if I would be willing to come back in January temporarily while they still awaited word from the district about my contract. I agreed, although I was kinda crazy for doing so because no one knew exactly what my pay would be or how long I would be there. I tried to just keep calm and go with the flow, but I did start to get a little frustrated and stressed about all the uncertainty.

After a week or two, word came down that my contract would NOT be extended and that the school needed to make plans for the 6th graders. What was eventually decided was that a 5th/6th grade combo class would be created and my class would be split up into the combo and the other 6th grade teacher's class. As you might imagine, this caused quite the uproar. Combo classes are definitely not ideal, and many were very upset by all this--the 5th grade teacher in particular. She was so upset that she requested (pretty much demanded) that administrators at the district level come and talk to the staff and explain their reason for not having me stay.

This school has had many changes over the last couple of years, and it has taken its toll on enrollment. Word has gotten around, and many in the area now opt to homeschool. Since schools get their money based on enrollment, this has had quite the financial impact as well as PR for the district. The teachers wanted to explain to the district that even though times are tough and the money needed to pay my salary might be hard to come by, it would be far, far worse to let me go. The district did agree to come, explain why they were doing what they were doing, and listen to the concerns of the staff. I wasn't actually at that meeting, but it was a long one. Everyone felt a little better just by being heard, but I really didn't think anything would change. From my perspective, it was one of those difficult business decisions that had to be made. I did think that in a district of this size, finding $20,000 for my salary probably wouldn't be that hard and would be much better than dealing with the aftermath of my leaving, but I just didn't think they would see it that way.

The meeting was on Monday. Tuesday afternoon, while the students were in music, the principal pulled me aside and asked if I would be interested in staying the rest of the year. While I did have my reservations, I had previously decided that if a contract extension were offered I would take it. We REALLY want that credit card gone, and we also have plans to get a new car soon. I also want to start saving for a house and possibly adoption if it works out. Even more importantly, I had grown attached to my students and really wanted what was best for them. So even though I was throughly sick of the stress of teaching and the dysfunction that often rules the day at this school, I agreed. The principal asked if I needed time to think about it, but I said no.

The news was announced at an impromptu faculty meeting after school, and for about 2 weeks people would clap and cheer whenever I entered the room. It was pretty bizarre, actually. And so I will continue to teach 6th grade at La Mesa until June 8th, and as the title indicates, I am feeling very blessed and very stressed!