A Math Printable Homework Review Pack AND My Teacher Story Linky Party

I have to begin by saying that my teaching career started off with not one, but two crazy first years! My first year out of college and job searching was so heart breaking {at first}. I live in Michigan where the jobs are SO scarce and teaching jobs are pretty much non-existent. It was August, and I had been on about ten interviews for the most random positions (maybe three were actual classroom teaching jobs). I was convinced I would have to become a sub and just keep trying to build my networks and connections. It was when I was losing all hope, on a Saturday (so random) that I received a call from a principal of an elementary school that had received my resume and wanted to interview me that day. SATURDAY? SURE! This was now one week before school was set to start. So, I went in that afternoon, and found out it was for a 5th grade position. At that time, I was on my way to earn my early childhood and special education certifications. I had ZERO experience in 5th. I went in, did the interview, and as I was walking out she called me and wanted me to come back and teach a lesson. I was given no time to prep and no time to even think. I had about 20 minutes to go home and grab some supplies. Naturally, I ran around my house like a crazy person collecting what I could to teach a lesson. I went in a half hour later, taught the lesson to her three kids, and got the job right on the spot. SO incredible. The only catch – I had missed all of the professional development days and back to school meetings and had four days to shop, set up, create, move in, and start teaching 5th grade. It was CRAZY.

Going into my second year, I was pink slipped and technically had no job as of August. Finally, I was called in late August to take a special education office/administration position. I, of course, was grateful for a job, but my heart was in the classroom. The district knew this, but still had me stay in this administrative special education position. School finally started and three days into the school year I was still doing the job in special education. On day four of school, I was notified that a school in the district was going to open up another section of 5th grade (four days after school started) and they wanted to move me into that 5th grade position immediately. OH MY GOODNESS! I thought my first year was rough having only four days to set up, how about NEGATIVE four DAYS! School started four days ago! I was given one afternoon to set up an entire classroom. All of my belongings from the previous year were in storage, and thankfully my dad took the day off work to help me bring boxes of my things to this new building and attempt to set up a classroom. While I was elated to get this position, it was very tough on the other teachers ands students. Unfortunately, in order to make this additional classroom, they had to remove about five kids from each classroom to make up my class. Those students had already felt a connection to their teacher and had started building friendships. While it took some time to build their trust and win them over, luckily we came together, and it was one of my best group of kids.

So,  while I had a crazy start, I wouldn’t change any of that for the world! Everything happens for a reason!