Friday, November 11, 2011

Je suis Madame Scott

I loved teaching when I did it before.  Quitting to take care of my baby girl when she was sick was an easy decision.  Missing it every day for years after was the tough part.  I tried convincing myself that it was ok.  I didn't need to teach again.  I had already taught the best students, I told myself.  I was content with Heroes for Children and liked my new career.  I was ok.  Except I wasn't.  I missed teaching.  I missed the constant interaction with students. I missed the school environment and speaking French.  So, in October last year, I made the final decision to return to teaching and starting telling a few people of my plan.  As luck would have it, my mentor teacher was retiring after 39 years of teaching, and the principal trusted her to help find the right replacement.  This job was meant to be mine. 

We announced in December to the board and staff that I was leaving.  It was the same day that we closed on our new home.  I remember saying that my life would be so different and everything was changing.  I had NO IDEA how true that statement would be a few months later.  In January, we sent an email going out to over 11,000 constituents announcing my stepping down.  No turning back.  It was out there and this was happening. 

In March, A ended our marriage.  Panic set in.  My marriage was over, my career was changing, and I was panic stricken.  Was this the right time to then make a massive career change?  Would this, including a significant pay cut in salary for me, put me too far over the edge? 

Could I do this?

More than three months after returning the classroom, I know without a doubt, the answer to this question is a resounding YES.  I could do it.  I AM doing it. 

I LOVE TEACHING AGAIN.

Granted, there is the tediuous exhausting and frustrating parts to this job.  The grading consumes me and I am often behind.  The curriculum is entirely new from what it was before and is proving to be more of a challenge for me every day to figure out how to navigate my way through it.  I have to get three of us to three different schools before 8am which is often a race of the clock that I lose.  It's a lot of work, but boy do I ever love it.

I am the co-sponsor of National Junior Honor Society as well as the Department Head of Foreign Language. NJHS is a tremendous amount of work. We have over 150 8th graders in the group and there is a lot of activities and high expectations of the students. I love my co-sponsor and working with her makes my job even better (we even were twins on Twin Day for Red Ribbon Week!)

I've found ME again this year and in this.  In so many ways.  One of the biggest things, I found myself happy again professionally.  I am EXCITED to go to work each day.  I love my students who are silly and fun.  They write me notes and hang pictures they make for me on my board.  We have "video vendredi" every Friday with my 8th graders where we watch something silly on YouTube.  Today is a video of Mr. Bean at a restaurant because we're reviewing food. 

Je suis Madame Scott et je suis très heureuse. 

8 comments:

Beckest of the BECKS said...

Jenny,
I swear you are super women! I am so happy that you are so happy!

I have been looking for you email address because I have a very odd request. My family was followed by France 2 for a day and they did a whole news story on my family. The catch is, the story is all in french. I even have a dubbed over french voice :) I was hoping that maybe you could watch it and tell me how it came out :)
First billboards and now French TV :) My email is Beckerthenbeck@yahoo.com

Beck Marko :)

Carol and Co. said...

I am very happy for you, Jenny!

tricia said...

wishing you continued happiness in both your personal life as well as professional.

Lyndsay said...

It sounds like you're back where you belong. Good teachers are such a blessing - thank you!

ShanRey said...

Love this post!! So happy for you Jenny.

Robin said...

It's awesome that you have a job you love! You are doing great...WTG

Ness said...

Checking 1-2-3 before I retype my comment for the third time----silly Google!

Ness said...

OK, now that we have THAT over with, just wanted to say I am so, so happy for you. I've been tied up with family medical issues so haven't been on for a while and didn't know about A or you resuming teaching. Jenny, everything you touch turns into gold. You were meant to teach. The best thing I ever did for my family was my divorce in 93. We are all better people for having done so, especially my kids. I met another man 18 years my senior and we have been married 16 years. He has seen me through my cancer, my son being deployed and he is my best friend and my rock. Keeping you and the girls in my prayers. If you want to catch up with me I am still at www.dachshundstrong.blogspot.com