Kids Are Kids Anywhere!

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 At the end of the 21/22 school year I decided to leave the district I had been at for my entire career (6 years!). I went to a neighboring district and I have been so happy that I made this change. Change is hard- but today I want to share why change may also be just the thing you need.

I remember when I got my first teaching job. I was so excited! I had a lot of big life changes coming up and really needed a job- I was moving from California to Washington, getting married, and starting my career! During my time in my district there were so many celebrations- I made some of my best friends, I learned so much as a teacher, and I earned my special education credential. There were also big challenges- I moved buildings a lot (being new/low seniority), it was a big learning curve to work at a title 1 school, and special education was a really big/hard transition. Last year I felt that there wasn't enough support for my high needs students and I felt that the district's and I's values had changed over the years. It was hard to make a change but I am glad I did! 

Making a change has been beneficial because it has showed me that I can be a good teacher in a new place. I had only known one way of teaching, one set of curriculum, one style of education, etc. It has been a big learning experience to work with new curriculum especially. I am still teaching special education and this has given me the confidence that I can be a good special education teacher (a confidence that had dwindled in the past). I had to get out of my comfort zone to re-fall in love with teaching. It has also taught me that kids are kids and that at the end of the day that remains the most special aspect of teaching. 

If you are unhappy where you are- try something new. Try teaching a new grade level or move schools or move districts! Sometimes we need to get out of our own head or out of rut to grow as a person and educator. Teaching is a hard job - you owe it to yourself to take care of yourself. **Please do some research on how many years of service districts take- some only take 10 years for pay scale purposes. 

Check out these links for ideas and tips if you are struggling with teaching.

https://join.40htw.com/ 

https://teachercareercoach.com/





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