One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I finished the school year without telling anyone what was happening. I was asked several times if I was coming back the following year. I answered the question, but did not give any indication about not being in my former position.

Just before we left for summer break, I was informed that I would be teaching fourth grade Math. That summer was tough. I applied for a few positions, but was not successful in landing any of them. I did not want to go back into the classroom, but I did not have much choice.

I was not in the right frame of mind returning for the upcoming school year. I was informed that I would be the fourth grade team leader. I guess this was a consolation for my former position being dissolved. I had never taught elementary school so I had a lot to learn. The only help I got from my Principal was that I would figure it out.

The first few weeks were ok. I loved the team of teachers that I was working with. Everyone was helpful and pulled together to make things work. It took me a month to really settle in and begin to figure things out.

Midway through the school year I interviewed for the Elementary Assistant Principal pool. After years of trying, I was finally selected. This was very exciting for me. I felt like things were starting to look up.

I had a very successful first year of teaching elementary. I did not expect to enjoy what I was tasked with as much as I did. My students were mostly successful and I learned a lot.

There was a major turn of events that I did not see coming; the current Principal was leaving to take a job out of state. Weeks later I learned that the school’s current Assistant Principal was going to be named Principal. This was a decision that did not sit well with a lot of faculty members.

There was the thought that the leadership would be the same as it was before. There was not a sense that all teachers were valued. Some could do what they wanted, while others were unfairly targeted for minor things. There was one other major unknown; who would be the new Assistant Principal?