A few weeks ago I accepted a position for next year teaching high school at a small Christian school in Maine. We told our family right away, and I told my co-workers, but I hadn't told my students yet. I've been praying about how and when to tell them. I didn't want to tell them right away because we just had a teacher leave mid-year and I'm not leaving until the school year finishes. At the same time, I didn't want to wait too long because I wanted them to hear it from me, not through the grapevine. This week my husband made inquires into jobs in Maine. We're still waiting to hear back, but it is highly likely that he will get a job and move before I'm done with the school year. At breakfast this morning, it came to me. Today was the day to tell them. And I knew how I'd tell my 8th graders.Before we started class, I told them we had a couple of business items to take care of. I explained how I'd wanted to wait to tell them this but that I wanted them to hear it from me so I was telling them now.
"You know how you guys are graduating from here and going off to high school next year? Well, I'm graduating and going to high school, too."
It took them a minute to process, and then the questions came. We had a quite a few laughs about me wearing a graduation robe with them and several started trying to figure out how they were going to convince their parents to let them move to Maine with me. There were some tears and hugs, but a lot of joy.
I was more concerned about telling my 7th graders, but it went well. They were a little shocked, but they asked many good questions and gave me a chance to explain what my new job will be like.
It's such a relief that it is common knowledge now, and I actually felt like my 7th graders responded better to me today. Perhaps they were feeling that they didn't want to waste the time they have with me by being overly obnoxious. I wonder if that will continue through the rest of the year!
Congratulations! I began teaching 7th grade and never left that grade before I finally retired last year. Middle school taught me a lot and prepared me for a lot. I think you will enjoy high school. You are very brave. Thans for sharing this moment. Good luck with the 7th graders until the end of the school year!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it went well--breaking news like this to kids can be difficult.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to tell kids you've connected with that you are leaving. Now you can savor the rest of the year with them. If they act out, you can say, "Is that how you want me to remember you?"
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Maine! My own 2 children attended a small k-12 Christian school in Woolwich. You will love it!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Maine is another place I would love to move to. I look forward to reading about it on your blog next year.
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