Hey Webmasters! New Photo Album Service Launched - Check it out!
Welcome to my blog! I wanted a have a way to communicate with visitors on a semi-regular basis about what's going on in my classroom and life in general. New teachers, especially, often feel as if they are the only ones experiencing frusteration, fear, anxiety, and exhaustion, but the truth is, even veteran teachers have their ups and downs. I've recently started adding more personal information, because I've gotten to know so many of you well and want to share more of my life. Click on "Older Posts" to access a list of blog entries by title going back to 2004. You all are such an encouragement- please keep posting your feedback, stories, and questions as we journey through a brand new school year together. 
Ms. Powell
Yes, I'm moving again! Schools, at least. I can't believe I've been teaching in the same place for nearly three years- that's a record for me! 
If you've been following my saga, you know that I wanted to leave last yearfor reasons that I won't specify because I don't want to spread any negative messages about my school. But, I didn't feel like God was releasing me to go. This year, however, the problems that I was having got worse, and my desire to transfer intensified.
I achieved National Board Certification, and in Broward County, that means a huge raise (10% of the average teacher salary in Florida), and for NB certified teachers who work in Title I schools, an additional 10%. The school I have been at was not Title I, so this was a huge incentive to make the switch!
I had been thinking about going back to lower-income communities because that's really where my heart is, and where I know I can make the biggest difference. Also, I feel like it gives my website my more credibility- after all, it's not hard to manage most groups of upper middle class kids, but if I can share ideas that work even with the challenges of poverty and an inner city environment, that really means something to teachers who are 'in the trenches'!
So I had been asking around for about a year: are there any GOOD Title I schools? Over and over, I kept hearing the same name: Croissant Park Elementary. At least 10 people told me the principal was absolutely the best in the district, the staff was like a family, and the kids (while challenging) were sweet and eager to learn as a whole because the school environment was so loving, structured, and no-nonsense.
So, about three weeks before the school year ended, I decided to talk to a coworker who previously taught there and left only because the commute was too great. She said she'd go back in a heartbeat if it wasn't so far and that getting to work with this principal was an incredible privilege- go for it! She said she'd email the principal because they were friends and ask if there were any openings. The principal emailed back right away and said she had a third grade opening! So I emailed her myself and set up an interview for the following day.
I was so impressed right away by both her demeanor and that of the assistant principal. They expressed concern over the sacrifices I would have to make in coming to a Title I school (a MUCH more prescribed curriculum, less parental support, and constant supervision from them and district administrators, who visit the classrooms almost daily). I told her I had heard such awesome things about the way the school handles those challenges that I was ready to take them on! She offered me the job on the spot and I accepted! I was SO excited!
The best part? It's my neighborhood school, meaning that if I had children, they would attend there. It's only a mile and a half away! A lot of people have a hard time understanding how my neighborhood school is 70% free/reduced lunch and assume that my home must be in a bad area, especially since it's it's in the city. I live in an interesting area- it's part of downtown Ft. Lauderdale, and it's undergoing gentrification, so there are run-down shacks next to brand-new, million dollar homes. Literally. I happen to live in a condo area that's in between- older and urban, but safe and beautiful. Most of the new people moving in don't have kids or send them to private school, so it's the kids from the older homes and apartments that attend the school. And the racial diversity of the school reflects the neighborhood: evenly split between white, black, and Hispanic, with 10% mixed/other. How awesome!
So on the last day of school (May 31), I rented a U-Haul (again) and moved everything over! I got rid of at least half of my teaching supplies and files, much to the gratitude of my coworkers! However, I have over a thousand children's books that I won't part with, and of course I have to take my plastic drawers that organize all of my lesson materials, and they take up a ton of room. Along with a copier, frig, microwave, and a few shelves, I filled up an entire 10 foot truck! One of my closest friend's fiancee, to whom I am forever indebted, helped me move (thanks, Diego!!!). It was exhausting, but how exciting to make a fresh start in a new room in the fall!
It's a MUCH better room than my old one, with a huge storage closet, bathroom, sink, water fountain, built-in shelving, tons of bulletin boards, a great view of the palm trees, and lots of room! Here's a pic of one corner of the room at the end of the year with the previous teachers' things in it:
So everything just fell perfectly and quickly into place, which was total confirmation that this is exactly where God wants me. My property taxes just went up almost $2,000, so the raise I will get is His provision to cover the increased expenses. Plus, think of the money I'll save on gas! (I drove 25 miles roundtrip each day last year). I know next year will bring a lot of new challenges, but I'm ready for something new and I'm going to learn so much.
Bravenet Blog 
Blog Community
Get a Free Blog
Manage your Blog
bravenet.com