As I near the end of my (potentially) last year teaching high school, I'm reflecting on what this job taught me and why I've decided to move to middle school.
Since I can remember, I have always said I wanted to teach middle school because I had the most incredible 8th grade English teacher (Thanks, Mrs. Rawson). She taught grammar like a PRO. She's the first person who made me truly understand verbals and prepositions, which thinking back now is such an easy concept, but it can be incredibly challenging for students to grasp when they have a million other things to learn. She brilliantly led us through literature, and I can't remember a single moment where I didn't want to do something she assigned. It was all meaningful. She's definitely one of my role models. I'm also taking my mentor's job as she is retiring this year. She has, honestly, a major fan base! The kids adore her, and she attended the school at which we teach. (She also always gets on me about using prepositions at the end of sentences, so I fixed that one just for her :) It's such a hard midwestern habit to break!!)
Because I have such great role models, I'm definitely a little nervous. I've never taught an 8th grade class. I student taught seniors and have been teaching seniors and sophomores for 5 years. I've observed, sure, as know, that isn't the same. What if I hate it?! I'll never get my current job back because people never leave this school unless they're retiring! :)
However, then I think of all the reasons why I'm transitioning to this new job. There are a ton of perks:
1. Avoid senioritis -- I know they just want to move on, but this can be incredibly draining as a teacher!!
2. Teach The Giver!! -- I'm so excited! I just read this for the first time in 2018, and I'm obsessed! Honestly, I'm excited about the entire curriculum.
3. I'll have blocked classes -- English teachers know - this helps! We are TOTES going to read every single day.
4. Middle schoolers are weird -- I LOVE THIS. I always say "they are my people" I love how quirky they are (We're a 7-12 high school, so I have them in theatre and study hall, so I interact with them a little at school). They go along with all of the things that the seniors are too mature for.
5. Less students and preps -- due to the block classes, I'll only have about 80 students and I only have to teach Adv Language Arts 8 and regular, which is just done through differentiation. WHAT A BREEZE. Right now I teach: English 12, CCP English 12, CP English 10, Creative Writing, and Public Speaking.
As you can see, I'm gaining so much and losing a lot of stress! My only real issues with moving are:
1. Losing my sophomores classes -- I adore that curriculum and age group. They are mature, but not too much. They are usually low stress, and it's just so precious when they get their driving licences.
2. My social life with the teachers -- I'll be on the opposite side of the building than all of my friends, and I have to move classrooms which will make me lose my ideal spot (close to the bathroom and office!) I'll also switch lunches and move away from the best neighbor ever! It all seems petty, but that was honestly something holding me back. As teachers we need a support system!!
3. I won't get to teach The Importance of Being Earnest -- I freaking love that play. The seniors actually laugh when we listen to it - that never happens!!
I really am incredibly excited to move. Get ready you little middle school weirdos -- there is a new equally weirdo teacher coming in!