Change

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have taken a new position in my career. For the first time in 8 years I have left the classroom and find myself not actually being able to call myself a teacher. I am still in that world but I am not a teacher. I am now a School Data Improvement Specialist...Data Specialist for short.

At the end of last year this position was created for 10 of the neediest school to help improve data and the achievement of our students. I was asked to apply and the job was mine. I am super excited and have enjoyed the different roles I am already playing but tonight I realized the sadness of the change and the shift that I need to except. Tonight was Meet the Teacher. I was fine until about 10 minutes in...I was standing in the 3rd/4th grade hall...and I had to direct someone down to the "third door on the right, Ms. Nelson, room 152" and that's when it hit me like a ton of bricks. 152 had been MY room for 8 years and now it wasn't. It stung but I held strong. Then about 15 minutes after that one of my absolute favorite students from last year came to say hi. She gave me the biggest hug and gave me that look and said she missed me. That's when I lost it. Those are the relationships I won't get to build each year with this new position and that will be the saddest part. The little faces are the most rewarding part of teaching and now it's very different. I have no regrets but this is the shift I need to make and it will take a little getting used to. I will have to find content in making a difference on a larger scale and not so much in just those twenty-something kids you get each year and get to know personally. It makes me sad but I am also excited for this next step in the world of education. I say goodbye to the classroom and hello to an office....

Wish me luck!