change

I've never been very good at change.


Being a teacher has definitely helped me become more flexible - there's no telling how kids can change your plans! - but it is still something I struggle with, especially when I am expected to alter my plan or routine quickly.


So, it's a good thing I know now already that there are going to be significant changes in store for me at work next year:


1. I have to say good-bye to my current classroom - with its vast rows of cabinets, upgraded windows, and the quiet hallway that came with it - and embrace the idea of a new space to teach in next year. It will most certainly be a project to box away all the books and teaching materials I have inherited/collected in just 3 years of experience, but I completely understand why I need to do it. With enrollment dropping each year, it only makes sense to move the preschool classes into our elementary school building. This will allow us to use the current preschool building for other purposes, most likely a day care for children that haven't reached school age. We have classrooms available in our school, now that each grade level has only 2 classes instead of 3, so it makes sense to have all Pre-K through 4th grade students in one place. Though it will take some construction (and chaos) this summer, I believe it is a wise decision based on a long term perspective. 


But not all wise decisions are easy ones! I admit that I have some sentimental attachments to my current classroom - not only is it "where it all began" for me as a teacher, but it also happens to be the same room that I came to every day in 2nd grade. On the other hand, it will be nice to move away from the sunshine during the heat of the day and (though I love music) have some distance from the music room so that I don't have to compete with the sounds of 4th grade chorus, or better yet, 4th grade students playing recorders! Overall, thinking about the physical chore of packing up everything, moving it down the hallway, and reorganizing in a new space can be overwhelming at times, but I am also (surprisingly!) excited to start fresh in a different classroom.


2. Next year we also need to part ways with our enrichment program for gifted students due to lack of funding. Currently, I have about 6 students who are pulled out of my class for an hour and a half each week so they can be challenged in reading/writing and math. Though this still leaves me with 13 students to work with, I look forward to this time as an opportunity to practice essential skills that my brightest students don't need to review. This time is also ideal for setting up centers, meaning that I can work with only 3-4 students at a time on a concept that needs reinforcement. So unfortunately, the cutting of our enrichment program means that not only are gifted students going to miss out on established times with a smaller student to teacher ratio, but all students will lose that time to work more closely with a teacher. It also means that I need to rethink how I differentiate for students who learn more quickly. Though I already do my best to meet the needs of all students in my classroom so that no one falls behind or loses interest, I won't be able to "bank" on that extra hour and a half when I know gifted students are stretched beyond the bounds of 2nd grade. Thankfully, all grade level teachers will receive training in the coming weeks on how we can best challenge our higher-level thinkers. I will need to think (even more) out of the box next year so that all of my students are reaching their fullest potential.


3. A final change for next year is (hopefully) a huge advantage - I will have an extra set of hands on deck - a student teacher! And not just any student teacher, but one from none other than my alma-mater, Calvin College. (Yes, I like to think that student teachers from Calvin are top notch!) Miss H will be joining us from the start of the school year through late November. I am eager to have her help, especially for working with small groups of students. Of course I will also love gradually handing over my curriculum books so that she can plan and teach some lessons too! :) I hope that I can help her grow in her confidence as a teacher and feel prepared for taking on a classroom of her own in the future.


With so many changes in store for next year, it is hard to stay focused on the here and now. But I only have 9 weeks left with my current class and they deserve my full attention! I hope to enjoy the time remaining with this unique and special batch of 2nd graders, and not dwell on or worry about the changes to come. Though it will be different in many ways, I know the 2012-2013 school year will bring new joys as well!