I GOT THE JOB!

On Thursday, our assistant superintendent informed me that I was the new Literacy Coach for a local, very LDS-dominated school. I'm actually excited about that! I've been in a situation for the past 12 years where I am consumed with children who are absolutely amazing...but come with HUGE baggage, including abuse, poverty, etc. Now, I'll get a year to just deal with some things that are "normal," and get myself back into shape, as I won't be so comsumed with solving all of the world's problems for children.

I'll admit, this year I have a kid in my class whose mom is a drug addict. I've had the kid many times over the years. I absolutely ADORE him and want to take him home to be surrounded by folks who would love him continuously and would give him food and clothing whenever he wanted. However, there's this package included with working with him...this drugged-out woman who's made me question my "bleeding heart liberal" status. I have developed sort of a "hate" toward her...which is another reason why it's good to be moving on...

I'll be doing the 0.5 FTE as a Literacy Coach, implementing the district's new "Core Reading Program" and managing the NCLB/Oregon State Standards testing for grades K-5. The other 0.5 looks as though I'll be the ESL teacher at the same school! Wow!!! How amazing is that!!?? I completed my endorsement over the past 2 years, along with getting my ELD certification from the Dept. of Ed.

Now, if only there was an increase in pay...