Tuesday, March 26, 2013

I have a new job next year!

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This post is very bittersweet for me. On one hand, I can't imagine my life not teaching Kindergarten and all the special things that have made it just right for me. However, I have graciously been given the opportunity to be our elementary school Library Media Specialist next year and I have welcomed the position with open arms. I knew about the opening a week before this school year started and after lots of prayer, I asked to be switched.

Our School Board made my upcoming job official a week ago yesterday. Part of me feels like I won't belong to this wonderful community of Kindergarten teachers anymore in the same way, but the other part of me has had a hard time containing my excitement for this next step in my life.

I have so many wonderful ideas for next year and on one hand, I'm counting down the days until I get to go from a class of 20 to a school of 460+. However, the other part of me secretly wishes that time would slow down a little because this is my baby's year of Kindergarten and I don't want to wish my life away and rush her young years. Plus, there are so many things I won't get to do as a librarian that I have been blessed to have been able to do as Kindergarten teacher. There is something so magical about this age and teaching this grade level that I don't think anyone but Kindergarten teachers can truly understand.

My family has been extremely supportive about my upcoming position and I know next year will be a big adjustment, but I have prayed about this opportunity and the timing just seemed right for our family. Before school started, there was the possibility of having to start the LMS position this school year. However, it was decided that since the class lists had already been sent out and families knew what class their kiddos were in that it would be easier to hire substitutes for the library for this year and I could start my new job next year. This was a blessing because I am getting to go through Kindergarten with my daughter this year. Although she is not in my class, I get to see her all the time and I get to do things like class parties, field trips, inside recess, lunch, etc. that I wouldn't be able to do as easily if I were already in the library.

I will not be closing this blog down completely because I have lots of resources that people still might want to use. However, it is likely that I won't be blogging on here much after the end of this school year. I hope you understand. My plan is to begin a library blog for Pre-K through sixth grade teachers that will focus on a variety of activities for Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies, along with Character Education topics, as well. Once I get it up and running, I will post a link to it and I hope that some of you will follow along. By the way, if any of your librarians have a blog, I would love it if you would send me a link. They are much harder to find than Kindergarten blogs. :)

You have all been so wonderful to me throughout this fun journey and I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to have countless conversations and interactions with so many of you. You are truly some of the most hard-working, caring, compassionate, driven and determined educators I know! Keep up the great work!

15 comments:

  1. Congratulations and best of luck in your new position! It sounds like everything worked out, and I am sure that you are the perfect person for the position!

    Teacher at Heart

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  2. Congratulations. I am sure you can keep some of that kinder spirit in the library.

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  3. Congratulations! As a primary-grade teacher turned media specialist myself, I can tell you that it's a very rewarding job. You will have the opportunity to touch the lives of every student in your school, and get to know all of your colleagues better. Just think--you''ll still be teaching kindergarteners next year, plus all the other grade levels at your school! Good luck!
    Swersty’s Swap Shop

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  4. Congratulations! What an incredible time in your life! This is a wonderful opportunity to hone your craft even further and I wish you the best of luck :)

    Rae
    Mindful Rambles

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  5. Congratulations, Marlena! I am so excited for you! You are right! It is very difficult to leave the kindergarten classroom. I too have been offered a different position at my school for next school year and I am having second thoughts about it. After 20 years in Kindergarten, it seems to just run through my veins! It's like breathing to me...you just don't think about it because it is such a natural thing to do. I know you will be fabulous and just think of all the wonderful students you get to reach out to now. Have fun in your new adventure and I look forward to following your new blog. I am sure it will be just as informative and helpful and this one has been to me.

    Hugs,
    Ann

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  6. I am thrilled for you!!! We are all going to benefit from your summer planning :-) And, don't worry, you will ALWAYS be a kindergarten teacher! It becomes part of our DNA.
    (PS: I left a reply to your comment on my blog post. Loved what you said.)
    ReadWriteSing

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  7. Congratulations!! Good luck in your new job!!

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  8. Congratulations on your new position next year. The kindergarten students you have had for the past years will be so thrilled to see you in the library.

    Classroom Companion

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  9. Congratulations! Best of luck with your new position!

    Lindsey
    Lovin’ Kindergarten

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  10. Congratulations on your new position! To be surrounded by a plentitude of books and working with all grade levels- I think you will love it. My media specialist was an awesome teacher and became an awesome media specialist. I know she enjoys it!
    Gwen

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  11. What a blessing you have been to so many Kinder teachers! I know you will be a new blessing to so many others through the Library! I am sooo happy for you! May God continually bless you! Congrats! :)
    Cheryl
    Crayons and Curls

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  12. Congratulations on your next chapter.

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  13. Congratulations! I've always tell my class that being surrounded by books is my dream place and that one day I'll be a media specialist. Can't wait to follow you on your new adventure. Enjoy these last weeks with your class and daughter!

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  14. Congrats! I am so happy for you!
    Jennifer, kindertrips

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  15. Of course I will miss working with you on our Kindergarten team but I'm happy you will be our librarian and just right down the hall from me! Congrats! :)

    ~ Lisa
    Teaching Kindergarten Kiddos

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