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.