School's Out For Summer!

I closed the door to my classroom for the final time this school year. 

This past year has been a whirlwind to say the least! 

Last May I was closing my pastor's wife's classroom for the summer. I had been long term substitute teaching for the two years since graduation. The job market was looking bleak for educators with budget cuts and uncertainty. I spent the summer passing out resumes and scouring the internet for any possible opening. 

On the night of Open House for my district I had no thoughts of an opportunity opening for me. 

My phone rang. 

The Assistant Principal of a school I had only subbed at once was on the other end of the phone. 

"Are you available to sub? Can you be here tonight?"

I.was.so.there!

On that night I met a group of students that would wind up being my very own class. :) 

I was with my 2nd Graders from the first day of school, and became permanent in October. 

This has been a wonderful year! I had an amazing team of mentors! 

I am so thrilled to spend this summer gathering ideas not for some abstract classroom in the future but for my new group of 2nd graders. 

Next year's Open House will be bittersweet because my partner in crime is moving downstairs to 3rd grade. Jennifer welcomed me the first night, and has been a wonderful friend and mentor! 

I am so excited for our newest teacher and teammate Mackenzie! Next year I won't be the NEWBIE anymore. ;) I hope that I am able to be as welcoming and helpful to her as Jennifer has been to me. 

Let the SUMMER begin!