change.

Earlier this year, my heart began to beat for our youngest students at New Berlin West Middle and High School. I am always seeking growth, in myself and others, and I have no professional teaching experience at the middle school level. I have taught every level of high school at some point in my career.

In deliberate conversations, I mentioned this heart twinge and interest. But no change occurred. I was not disappointed, perhaps relieved. Embarking on something new brings uncertainty, fear. Last week, I learned my schedule will remain the exact same as this year! I can refine, improve, and improve! Safety from that ping! in my heart for those littles.

A phone call changed it all.

We are losing a wonderful middle school teacher this year due to a relocation. Interviews for her position were last week. My principal caught wind of my interest in tween-teaching. When offered the option of taking on this new task or remaining safe with what I know, trepidation paused me while I accepted the challenge. I will start the year foreign in a new land empowered with my deep-rooted philosophy of ed. and my love for English and more importantly. . . kids.

So I say good-bye, for now, to high school while I march into the land I avoided as a child, a place I begged to flee as a tween, a domicile where I struggled to feel connected, cared for, or loved, middle school. And I will continue to be the person I longed to find to these kids.

transcendence of moments

Summer break initiated last Friday upon the completion of cross-curricular reading standard alignment and writing K-12. No need to speak to this task; those involved in the journey know the challenges faced and overcome. But it was fascinating work to see what kids are learning at each grade level and what sorts of mastery can and will be expected at varied checkpoints. Likewise, it was inspiring to see the trajectory of skills started as early as Kindergarten and growing through grade 12.

Unable to (and who's kidding - unmotivated too) plan for next year without class assignments, I have been enjoying moments with my kids and often kids who are attached to my kids. Strawberry picking, jam & pie creation, swimming, shopping. Yesterday the kids finally signed up for the summer reading program at the library; Josh discovered Calvin and Hobbes this week, and Alayna is lost in Pretty Little Liars. Last night, as we awaited Josh and Dan's return from soccer, I watched the most recent episode with her. . . this is no Scooby Doo! I then was given the run-down of details I did not know along with Alayna's insights on the story line for nearly an hour. :) too sweet. I love these moments. Upon Josh and Dan's return, I acquired another little chatter-bug enthusiastically recounting the details of the scrimmage he played that ended in PKs. Guess who made his shots?

These seemingly trite moments of parenthood bear witness to why I love being a mom. Whether it was Winnie and Pooh or Wicked, Book 5; learning to walk or pounding a soccer ball into the top corner of the goal, I love interacting with my kids, talking to them, hearing them, spending moments with them, and reminding them that they are really important.

It's the same reason I love teaching.

So this time, these months, are Dan, Josh, Alayna, and whoever they bring home's moments. Mine too.