First Teaching Position

It's June 1, 2013 and I've been teaching in a 3rd/4th grade classroom since late January as a long-term substitute at Berlin Elementary School in central Vermont. Don't ask me how I managed to complete my licensure portfolio, but I did it in record time when the heat was on.  It was all about being in the right place at the right time.  Hilary, the teacher who went on maternity leave is one of the teachers whose kids I assisted in my previous position as a paraeducator, so it made sense to hire someone who was already familiar with the students, schedule, and curriculum. 

Needless to say, I have grown a great deal over the last few months and absolutely love being a classroom teacher. I have to say that everything I dreaded about teaching in a public school, such as behavior issues, testing (NECAP, etc.) and people's concept of separation of church and state became reality.  It's OK, though. I keep myself focused on the children and that makes it all worthwhile.  I've had mostly wonderful moments teaching with the occasional stress that erupts from time to time - all in a day's teaching! 

Now as the year is coming quickly to an end, I have my work cut out for me again.  I do have my paraeducator position waiting for me (thank you--you know who you are!), but I would truly love to get a teaching position somewhere nearby whether it would be kindergarten or 6th grade - I'm game!
Stay tuned - I won't bore you with all the details, but hopefully the next post will include my new position :-)