I love my job, working with gifted 6th graders. I especially love 6th grade because I get to guide these wide-eyed newbies into the world of middle school.
But our numbers are down.
Just over a month ago, our admin team came to tell us and said that our four person team would be reduced to a three person team if the numbers stayed the same. They also said they had applied for an additional position, which, if it were to be granted, would keep us a four person team. They also said that, if it didn’t come, we would go from 2 Humanities teachers to one. That meant my job or my teaching partner’s job.
I worried that last month of school. I was the newer Humanities teacher. I was the one who had changed jobs and/or rooms five times in the last six years. Finally, the last week of school, I heard that, although they were still hoping for the additional teaching position to be added, I would be the one to change jobs.
And so I am enjoying summer, trying desperately to ignore the elephant that is with me on vacation.
The team I would move to is wonderful.
I wouldn’t have to change rooms, though I would be teaching regular 7th grade.
Even though this year’s 6th graders have moved on, I feel as though I am leaving them.
I try not to check my email and phone several times a day, hoping for the message that say we got the position. It has yet to come.
I figure I can pretend and ignore the elephant through July, but once August rolls around, I might need to accept reality – unless that call finally comes.
booksandbassets 