So I've been thinking about this blog all summer. And questioning if people even blog anymore. Or if I cared enough to base my decision on other people. Or if I could even keep it up. Since I obviously have a problem with that - look at how often I posted before.
But then I decided that since I am switching schools and positions, I wanted to try this again. Maybe I'll post regularly and be able to have this record of this year - this year of COVID and a new school. Maybe I won't. But I'm at least going to give it a shot.
So, back story for the past few years...
I've spent the past 8 years at the same school. I taught 3rd and 5th as the inclusion class general education teacher. And then I have literally taught K-5 as the ESE teacher. The last 2 years I was the K-2, and then the K-1 ESE teacher.
This past year was the hardest year of my professional life. I had a VERY non-supportive, and honestly, bullying, Assistant Principal. I'm not getting into specifics cause I'm tired of giving her space in my brain.
But this bully of a person made me doubt my teaching.
Doubt my passion.
Made me cry on my way to work multiple times.
Made me hate one of my favorite places.
I decided in AUGUST that I was done. I could not, and would not, come back to that environment. It was so bad that my wife even told me not to sign a contract for the following year. Tell them no and we'd figure it out.
I truly believe COVID and the lockdown saved me. I was able to get out of the physical location and not interact with this person.
I am very happy to say I will be teaching at a different school next year. I am also very excited because I am going back in the classroom and will be teaching 2nd grade. I am a little stressed because I am also grade level chair at a new school (I have the most experience on the grade level), am the inclusion class, and also will be teaching a hybrid class. It's a lot. But it will be fine.
I'm hoping if I give myself some topics to specifically talk about, then maybe I will be forced to come back and write more. So I'll explain about the hybrid class another time. *Fingers crossed.*
