My Turn

Okay, well, I guess it's my turn. I just got done with my very first day of new teacher training, and I feel guilty saying that I could not imagine a better school environment. But, be reminded, if you thought Colorado was difficult for getting a teaching license, Washington is 20 times harder. I have been given my own mentor who mentors all new secondary teachers...but this is all she does, mentors...nothing else. And, did I say she's amazing? I am actually the one who took over for her, and she basically told me today that she will give me all her lesson plans, all her handouts, everything, and I can use whatever I want. Did I say that I would make out with her if I swung that way? Yea, amazing. Crazy enough though, this mentor is responsible for observing me once a month over the next year (did someone say TIRP?). The cool thing is though that it's illegal for her to say anything to my principal...so it's strictly just me and her. My principal will have to observe me twice in my first 90 days, and then once a semester after that (similar to Colorado). PS...to get a professional license here, I have to have taught for three years and I have to turn in an entire portfolio of artifacts (much like our teaching portfolio). I honestly feel like I am back in TIRP...it's insane...only, I'm lost without both of you.

The plus side, the support is amazing. We have an entire week of training: questions answered, techniques taught, curriculum guides handed out. It really is unbelievable...not to mention that I get to spend the entire afternoon with my principal tomorrow in my buildling. By the way, Jervaise, you work at "Creek" and everyone calls my school "River." I find this ironic for whatever reason. But, I met two really cool girls today. One of them played competitive rec league basketball at Oregon and she wants to be my assistant coach, which is SO exciting. I can't even begin to curb my enthusiasm at this point. The other girl is the new head soccer coach at a nearby high school. Plus, there's a hot guy that sits at the table across from me...not bad, not bad.

But...I miss my girls. One of the moms called me today because she wanted to tell me that the girls missed me and that they were thinking about me and they hoped that everything was going well. It's amazing that you can leave that impact...and WE ALL DID...you know that. But, if we don't move on, we'll never grow...as people, as educators. Like we all said before we left, if life sucks, we can always go back. I miss you guys terribly...