...or reflections on the night before I leave a bunch of people and a place that I truly love.
Let my preface this by saying I've had my teaching license for 10 years. In those ten years, I have taught in seven schools in five districts. Laid off, re-hired, art on a cart, years of uncertainty. The Golden Year was my year as a long term sub at North Shore Community School, where, with the right support (finally) I realized my full potential as an art teacher. Right after being super close to just throwing in the towel. This last year, as a special ed. para at NSCS was my first year NOT teaching in some capacity. My friend Julie called it my "Detour For Rowan" year, which is pretty much it. Much of what I learned this year, I was able to use to help him. I was a better mom because of my job. Universe, I acknowledge that. Thanks.
Tuesday morning I accepted The Job I Have Been Looking For. It's at Duluth Edison Charter School, full time, elementary level, and in a school that is growing - no sign of layoffs or cut time in the future. Really though, what I need to tell is how I found out I was chosen for the job.
Monday, I was on a field trip to the Great Lakes Aquarium with 45 first graders. I knew the call was coming that day. Indeed, there was the message, waiting for me as we exited the Aquarium. The kids were at the park, soon to be headed for Dairy Queen, and I was encouraged by my colleagues (including Julie) to just go to the car and make my calls. The message left was the head of school, calling to "talk with" me about the position. I called back, no answer. Left a message, basically saying I was on a field trip but would do my best to answer the phone. Then I headed to DQ to meet the bus.
My little friend that I work with has high functioning autism, and the kid is a hoot. He was among the 45 kidlets. At DQ, well into ice cream cones, a couple of classmates put ketchup on their ice cream. This sent my little friend into a tizzy. He was gagging and freaking out, and eventually, threw up in his mouth. I took him to the bathroom to fix the problem and all was good again, except we just couldn't be inside with ice cream ketchup anymore.
We headed outside and sat at a table, admiring the signs in the area (one of my little friend's favorite things) when the phone rang and I realized it was Edison. I asked my little friend if he thought he could stay quiet while I took the call and he nodded seriously. He sat, little round cheeks, big brown eyes, hands folded watching me while I took the call. It was the job offer. I took in the information, and while doing so, noticed Julie looking at me out the window with a "What???" look. I gave her a thumbs up and mouthed the words "I got the job!" I didn't accept right away, but gave my email to receive more info and asked the usual questions. As I was still talking, Julie burst out the front doors sobbing. This caught my now calm little friend off guard and sent him into yet another tizzy. So here I am talking to my new boss, with an emotional friend trying to calm down an autistic kid in a tizzy. Autistic tizzies are hard. Anyway, I quickly wrapped up my call, and when I hung up, Julie threw her arms around me and said "Congratulations!" and my little friend, without missing a beat, continued, "...to the flag of the United States of America." Which almost made me not want to accept the job, for to give up such moments. Sigh. But I did.
But I do need to say, NSCS is something special. An amazing sense of community, so much support, so much love. I don't think it can ever be topped. I always wanted to teach in a school like that, and I wish my new job was there. And my one year as a teacher there helped me see all that I can be. And as far as this year goes, I liked being a para, I didn't love it. Teaching art, I feel so much passion for my job. The kids inspire me again and again. Sometimes you just know what you were born to do, and you gotta do it.
I will miss NSCS, and I know that several of the relationships I have forged will be there for good, even if the job isn't there. I went in, I felt the love, I spread the love. Mission Accomplished.
(Now who is going to help me make the decision about whether to keep Aidan there, or send him to the new school?)
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