Vague-ish update

It's hard writing here without giving away too many specifics... I'm neutral about this school year. This is my 8th year of teaching and I think I'm hitting that 'seasoned and hardened' stage. I know that I still have a lot to offer and yet... I know that I haven't found my 'ideal' situation yet. Is there even such a thing? Can I find it without relocating? Will this place/ position closely match my philosophy of teaching? I'm determined to find out. I know my next career move has to require that I step forward as a teacher-leader. I've been complacent for way too long. I currently have no interest in an administrative position. However, I would love to be a teacher-activist and I can see myself as a comfortable & knowledgeable presenter. So, I guess this year is all about taking those small steps to see those goals realized. Well, I do have an opportunity in October to present to a group of colleagues, so there's a start!

Pre-planning: Year 3

This year, I'll be teaching 6th grade ELA & SS (inclusion/two-person team). Our in-service starts approximately 3 weeks from now and the students come back to school Sept. 2nd. I'm very anxious this year because I'm due in mid-January and I haven't had to balance a newborn and job responsibilities in a long time (my only child just turned 12)!

I'll probably notify my principal of my intentions this month. Ideally, I plan on taking 12 weeks maternity leave and come back to school around mid-April. It all depends on my family finances and the baby, of course!

My areas of focus for school year '08-'09 is consistency, consistency, consistency. I know what I want my classroom to look like, what rules and expectations I want my students to follow, etc. I just have to make sure that I hold up my end of the bargain. This'll definitely be my 'make or break' year as this still doesn't feel like the 'right' thing for me to be doing right now. Onward and upward!