One of the teachers replied to me yesterday and shared with me that at a retirement party for a friend of hers who works in the same district, she met some of the teachers that work at the school I will be working at next school year. She said some of those teachers shared with her that there is a 2nd grade teacher who really wants to teach Kindergarten and she is hoping I will be willing to swap with her.
Whoa.
It seems as though this is something that the teacher wants, yet not something that has been shared with the principal and not necessarily something the principal will allow. I am not quite sure if/at what point this will be brought up to me, but if I were going to be offered a switch, I would prefer to discuss it now rather than two weeks prior to the start of school. I kind of have the feeling that the principal would not be okay with it, but really I have no idea. I am definitely intrigued though because I know I would LOVE teaching second grade. I always really enjoyed the end of the first grade year because my little kiddos would become so much more capable. They read more, wrote more, and were just more mature overall. Although I have definitely gotten psyched to teach Kinder, I do think second grade would be just as great (and a little bit more in my comfort zone since I have spent so much time with third graders this year).
After mentioning this new knowledge to my mom and a few friends, I have decided that I am not going to say anything to the principal and just see if anything comes of it. Although it would be tough to begin in service and then all of a sudden have to focus on a new grade, I do feel as though I have been placed in Kinder so it is my choice if I want to move or not. If the offer is made and I decide that I have focused too much time and energy on Kinder over the summer, then I can always say no. I don't want to start off on the wrong foot with any staff members, yet I feel like it is worse to start off on the wrong foot with the principal. Obviously, teachers don't get to just decide to swap and this "offer" would need to come from her. I think it would not be cool to ask her about it considering it was second hand information and I don't think the teacher(s) have shared this desire with her. If I am asked to switch and it feels right, then maybe that is what is meant to be. I don't want to start the year by throwing someone under the bus for discussing this since I wasn't even there to hear it myself!
In any event, I am just anxious and excited to have a job and have a more active teaching role next year. Whether I am with Kindergartners or second graders, I am gearing up for a great year.
Just for fun....which grade level do you think I would like better: Kindergarten or second grade? I love how they are both grades either right before or right after the grade I taught for 3 years, so either one would be a good transition.
5 comments:
Personally I would go with 2nd grade because the kids are more independent, BUT kindergarteners are so cute and innocent!!!
Same thing Laura said. But I feel like you'd do really well with the kinders. Something about your personality would suite them perfectly!
Isn't it amazing the things that people that?
I teach second grade and love it and I think you would to. They are much more mature and capable of doing this. Plus after looking at your kindergarten schedule you would not have much time to teach.
Well, besides the fact that I teach 2nd grade (and may be a little biased), I'll tell you my reasons for thinking you'd like 2nd grade more!
Better schedule--all day to teach the standards!
More independent--it's fabulous to get things up and running and those students just take off with it. I use the whole "You are big 2nd graders now, and this is what is expected..." They have bought it for 3 years now! Challenging group coming up, but I will continue to hold high standards for each of them.
You know where they came from (for the most part)...they all had 1st grade and Kindergarten. With Kindergartners, some have preschool experience and others can't even use scissors and don't know what glue is, for example. That makes for a super challenging group, in my opinion.
Now to sum it up...I think you'd be great with any of the grade levels. You are passionate about education and learning and that would be an asset to any student! I'm confident everything will work out the way it is supposed to!
I'm extremely biased because I've seen you first hand with very young children and I think Kindergarten is a wonderful age. I would think you would be a GREAT first teacher for students and get them off on a wonderful start to their schooling.
I would love to see you teach Kindergarten, if only for a year.
They truly are fun and amazing and not nearly as exhausting as people make them out to be.
Plus, I have all these themed cardigan sweaters I was planning on sending for Christmas! LOL
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