My head is swimming with so much of what has happened this summer, some of it big, some of it, not so much. I'm debating with spreading it out between several entries or just one long one. I think it is best to just start at the beginning:
At the end of May, I became aware of a PreK opening in our school district in a different elementary building than where I've been for the last five years. For those of you who don't know, I was teaching kindergarten when I became aware of this position. After talking it over with my husband and a handful of trusted teaching friends, I made the decision to feel out that opportunity. I met with the building principal. Guess what!! She has an Early Childhood background! BONUS!! A few days later, I was offered the position! I accepted it. :)
I accepted for several reasons. When teaching kindergarten, I've had a handful of students each year who are not "kindergarten ready." With education where it is currently, students entering kindergarten are expected to know more concepts, coming into the public school setting, than ever before. Do I agree with this? Let's just say that in 30+ years of teaching, district are expecting more and more from our littlest students. I feel that, in changing to PreK, I can help prepare those students entrusted to my care, be more prepared to enter kindergarten with the skills they need to be successful.
I also believe that I will be able to grow as an educator by changing grade levels and schools. While I will miss the daily interaction with so many close friends and teaching professionals, I'm not leaving town, just schools. Those who are my friends, will continue to be my friends and I will be able to see them outside of the school setting.
Also, in teaching PreK, there is more professional freedom to do what I feel is best for children, while exciting them about learning. I am SO EXCITED about that!! So much of what I will be teaching in PreK is what I used to teach when I first started teaching kindergarten so long ago. What I will begin teaching in August will be age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate. For that, I am truly grateful for the opportunity!
Coming up next: Thoughts on family.
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