Thread: What a difference a year and a change makes....

This time of year always leads me to look back over the year just passed. Doesn't that happen that way for a lot of us?

What a view! This year, so far, has been a revelation.

The past three years of my teaching career (before this one) were a rough and tumble affair, in two
very different school districts. In one, I suffered, along with the community, students, and staff, with
a generally inept administratiion that was more interested in self-glorification than in having a good
school environment I was angry most all the time, my last few years there and I eagerly escaped
when the chance came.

But it was a case of frying pan to fire, I fear.

I went to a "new" school, to a new grade level, in a new school district, and that proved to be a
challenging situation where administration meant well, but we've all heard that old addage about the
road to perdition being paved with good intentions.

Expectations were inexact. leadership weak and vacillating and disruptions to the learning process
constant. My new district had an excellent local pay supplement and had many resources that I had
never had before in my 25+ years in the classroom. But at what cost to my health and sanity?

The situation was not a good one for me, but I wasn't sure what to do about it all. The change in
schools and school districts had gained me nothing. Actually, it had made things yet worse. Would
another change help? This far along in my career, would it do me or anyone else any good?

I grudgingly prepared to endure yet another yet in that difficult school, feeling like my career in
education was headed down the path to its final end. I just could not withstand much more.

Then one afternoon, last July, I got a phone call. It was the administrator of a local middle school, who wanted to know if I was interested in
interviewing for a 6th grade science position. I'd struggled through two years of grade 8 and really
wanted to return to 6th grade, where I had been for years before that. But my mind was awhirl with
questions, self doubt (yeah, that happens), and, yes, uncertainty.

Would I only make my situation worse than it was? I knew that if that happened, my career was quite
likely to come to an abrupt end.

I met with the people there and was impressed with how gentle, kind and (oh glory be!) genuine and
unpretentious they seemed. I couldn't put it in words then, but the place reminded me of how
students and schools used to be 20 years ago. I was still mired in doubt and when I got the job
offer, nearly didn't take it. Sometimes when you've had a tough time, the familiar can seem awfully
comforting and safe. But I stepped out and took the chance.

As we say, the rest is history.

I took a sizeable pay cut, lost some of the resources I had before, gave up my professional contract
(tenure) (again) and had to endure yet another school relocation, but when I say it has made all the
difference, I make a huge understatement.

Every situation is different, imperfect, and takes some getting used to.

My morning commute is barely half of what it was. Of all the school days this year, I can say only
ONE has been rough and that one due to there being a full moon and the lead up to a long holiday,
this past week.

I don't wake up angry anymore or come home feeling "beat up."

Our leadership lets us do our job and doesn't burden us with senseless interruptions and micromanagement. We don't have to attend worthless "trainings" designed, not to help students, but to cover the administration's ineptitude. We're held to a high standard in my new school but it is something we have bought into and, as our leadership holds itself to a high standard too.

I have to work hard, put in long hours. I have always tried to do that, but this is one of the few
places I've been where that seems appreciated and where it pays off.

To say I am fortunate and blessed is to say that Niagra Falls is wet.

I very much look forward to the coming year.