official teacher

It's official! I am a teacher again!! Woohoo! I have signed my contract to be a Special Education teacher at one of the elementary schools in our district. I will specifically be doing Resource and Co-Teach with 3rd and 4th graders. I cannot tell you how totally excited I am! I was also able to "ring the new-hire bell" again, but I let Jacob do the honors this time. ;-)

 I just realized earlier today how long it feels like I have been working towards and waiting to be back in the classroom (as a true teacher). Being an aide this past year definitely helped me to transition back into the working mom world, being in classrooms again, working with students, as well has having co-workers again. It made me realize how comfortable in my own little bubble I had become, and was a great eye opener for working with multiple personalities every day, and not being the one 'in charge' of it all like I am at home.
      I would have happily stayed at the school I was in, and I even interviewed for a 5th grade GT Social Studies position, but as it turned out, I was offered the elementary position. Which is really where I prefer anyway, so it worked out exactly how it was supposed to in my mind. I have already talked to the teacher that I will be working closely with, and she sounds very knowledgeable and very nice. We have two workshops for co-teaching and writing IEPs and goals on Mon & Tues next week, so we'll get to meet face to face then. My new asst principal is actually the guy who was the asst principal at the elementary that the boys went to for many years. He is a truly amazing man, so nice and so supportive, I feel very lucky to be able to work under him. The rumor is that the principal (also very knowledgeable) is retiring soon and the asst will take over. Another perk is that Ryan will transfer over to where I will be, so that makes us both very happy.
      I guess I'm just happy that all of my hard work paid off, and that I will finally be right where I feel like I belong. Not only do I get to be in an elementary again, working with educators again, AND I get to work with sweet SPED babies, I also get to help other parents of those SPED babies navigate the wonderful, confusing, scary, and amazing world of life with a child with special needs. I'm not usually this sappy, but I have to say that my heart is full. :-)

     I have more to write about-- Jacob and Luke's school stuff, my sweet nephew coming to stay with us for almost 2 weeks, and Ryan changing soccer teams (finally). But I will save those for another post. TTFN!