Unexpected opportunity

School began a week ago.

A little background: I had a "rough" year last year. I struggled for a while as to what I should do at the end of the year - Should I retire? Should I change grade levels? Should I come back as a 6th grade teacher and tough it out another year? There was going to be an opening at my school for a 1st grade teacher - this would have been a dramatic change (I have taught over 20 years in the 6th grade) - but I thought maybe I needed that drastic of a change to work things out. After much prayer and talking with my principal it was determined I would stay in 6th grade, have a teaching partner ( I was the lone 6th grade teacher last year), and have a class of about 25.

I began this year with excitement. I had already established a good working relationship with my new partner, as we took a week's training together this summer. We began last Monday. I only had 21 students show up the first day, but knew more would come as we were the "overflow" site for 6th grade. My partner was at 20. I must say, it was "heaven" to have only 21 6th grade bodies for the week! Class size is usually between 30 - 32. By Thursday I was rejoicing in the decision to keep me in 6th grade. I was bonding with my new students and they with me. Mike, my partner, and I were excited about the plans we were developing for shared teaching units, etc. I shred with Bill that evening how blessed I was feeling......

Friday at lunch the principal called me into her office. With all the compassion she could offer, she informed me that the District was over staffed in 6th grade and we we directed to collapse my class. 12 students from the 6th grades would be transferred to another school and the rest of my students would join the other 6th grade class. I would get to stay at my school, but I would be teaching a 1st grade class! Even if you are not in the teaching field, I know you can appreciate many of the differences between 11 year olds and 6 year olds! This will be a dramatic paradigm shift for me!

The weekend has been spent moving out of my "old"classroom and moving into my new one. I have until Thursday to get the room set up. I'll meet my new students on Thursday. I really am vacillating between feeling overwhelmed, a bit sad, and excited. I know that God is in control and goes before me and with me wherever my path lies. "Fear not. I will be with you wherever you go."

By God's grace I press on .... more to come.