Popular Post Noreen Claire Posted August 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 4, 2022 I accepted a teaching job at the local school, and I finished the enrollment process for my rising 8th, 5th, 3rd, and K'er this afternoon. This evening, I got today's district-wide email about school meals, so I guess it's official - we are public schoolers again. I'm excited to return to the classroom! All I ever wanted to do was teach. I'm looking forward to the challenge, and to the paycheck! But, I'm also mourning the homeschool life that we've lived these last six years. I will dearly miss the freedom to do what we want, when we want. I will miss the control that I had over books, curricula, and other resources. I will miss sleeping late and snuggling on the couch with my littles, a book, and a cup of tea. 😭 We aren't/weren't ideological homeschoolers; DH and I were/are public school teachers. We started homeschooling with DS13 because he had serious neurological issues after a strep infection (he had PANDAS), and was absolutely not well enough to return to the public school in 2nd grade. We just had a lot of fun, and found that it was a good fit for these kids and just kept doing it. However, this job, at this school, at this time, is (I hope) the right choice for now. I'm happy. I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm sad. I'm worried. I'm cautiously optimistic. I'm a giant tangled ball of emotions! (My therapist has been very helpful!) There's still so much more to do... educational evaluations, making sure placement is correct in math/honors classes, buying school supplies that we didn't need at home (backpacks, lunchboxes, etc), getting covid boosters, rescheduling all of the appointments I've made for the next 6 months or so that we can no longer make because we will be in school... and so.much.paperwork. Anyway, thanks to all of you for the support, knowledge, and kindness you've shared with me over the last six or seven years. I'm still going to be here, but will be more of an 'afterschooler' from now on. (Is someone cutting onions in here? Something in my eye...) 53 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Congratulations on the job! Change is hard; try to give yourself time and space to feel all the feels! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Aww Congrats on the job!! I am glad you made a decision. I hope the change goes well for your whole family. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longtime Lurker Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Congrats! Will your kids be in the same building as you? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Congratulations on getting the new job! I hope your whole family has a great year!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeLovePassion Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Congrats on your new chapter. My kiddos entered PS in 4th and 6th. It was a hard, but overall good decision. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noreen Claire Posted August 4, 2022 Author Share Posted August 4, 2022 17 minutes ago, Longtime Lurker said: Congrats! Will your kids be in the same building as you? Yes! Honestly, this was up there in the list of reasons to take this job - all four boys will be going into the same building together -- two in the lower school, two in the upper school -- and they will be there to support each other. (DS13 will be in the high school next year, so this is the only year that this would happen!) We will all go in together in the morning, and all leave together in the afternoon, so no worrying about bus schedules or parent drop-off/pick-up. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Congratulations on the new job! It sounds like a good opportunity for you. So many of us here have been through all the emotions you are describing, and we can assure you that things will sort out, your family will adjust. Best of luck to all of you on your new adventures! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longtime Lurker Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 8 minutes ago, Noreen Claire said: Yes! Honestly, this was up there in the list of reasons to take this job - all four boys will be going into the same building together -- two in the lower school, two in the upper school -- and they will be there to support each other. (DS13 will be in the high school next year, so this is the only year that this would happen!) We will all go in together in the morning, and all leave together in the afternoon, so no worrying about bus schedules or parent drop-off/pick-up. This is great! I actually get to be in the same building with my DD this year. She will be a first-year teacher at the school where I do most of my subbing. I wondered if she would mind my being around, but she thinks it will be fun! I think so, too, of course 🙂 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholastica Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 How exciting for all of you! Congratulations! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Congratulations 🎉👏🎉 I hope the transition goes as smoothly as possible for all of you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 (edited) Congrats! I had all of those feels too. Education is certainly not perfect these days but I still love teaching & the students. (And new school supplies, tbh) Being back in a school has been an overall good experience, and the paycheck, retirement, & health care are pretty darn good. It’s so much easier now that my little ones are in my building! Enjoy. My daughter is going to be IN my class this year 🙂 Have a great year- and remember, the first year is tough. Next year will be much easier for everyone! Edited August 4, 2022 by Hilltopmom 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
footballmom Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Congratulations! It sounds like the set up will be ideal for you and your kids this year. It’s great you have a therapist in your support system too. When we transitioned from me homeschooling ft into ft work for a company, there were stages of grief. Any grief isn’t linear, and if this pops up for you you’ve got a therapist in the squad. I hope the school year gets off to a fantastic start for you! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longtime Lurker Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 2 hours ago, Hilltopmom said: Congrats! I had all off those feels too. Education is certainly not perfect these days but I still love teaching & the students. (And new school supplies, tbh) Being back in a school has been an overall good experience, and the paycheck, retirement, & health care are pretty darn good. It’s so much easier now that my little ones are in my building! Enjoy. My daughter is going to be IN my class this year 🙂 Have a great year- and remember, the first year is tough. Next year will be much easier for everyone! This could be a challenge! Is there only one section of each grade or did you choose this? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Longtime Lurker said: This could be a challenge! Is there only one section of each grade or did you choose this? I’m the only integrated co teaching special Ed classroom at my grade and she has an IEP so she has to be in my room. She needs the support. But we have 3 adults and a very needy group this year so we will be teaching ELA & Math in small groups and she won’t be in my group. It’s pretty common in our rural area & encouraged at our district. My principal even taught her own kids back when she was still teaching. I could’ve switched grade levels (I’m the special Ed teacher in the team) but I would never get my position back and I love 4th grade and my team! Edited August 4, 2022 by Hilltopmom 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 @Noreen Claire, I hope that you and your children all have a wonderful year! Regards, Kareni 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 13 minutes ago, Kareni said: @Noreen Claire, I hope that you and your children all have a wonderful year! Yes, me too! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 I hope you have a fabulous year. There will be challenges for sure but I hope there are many blessings for all too. I'm very happy that I was able to get my dream teaching job last year. Even if I complain about the workload, I'm doing what I love to do and getting paid well for it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longtime Lurker Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 3 hours ago, Hilltopmom said: I’m the only integrated co teaching special Ed classroom at my grade and she has an IEP so she has to be in my room. She needs the support. But we have 3 adults and a very needy group this year so we will be teaching ELA & Math in small groups and she won’t be in my group. It’s pretty common in our rural area & encouraged at our district. My principal even taught her own kids back when she was still teaching. I could’ve switched grade levels (I’m the special Ed teacher in the team) but I would never get my position back and I love 4th grade and my team! Sounds like it will be a great situation! Nice that you have multiple adults and multiple small groups. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Aww. Change can be emotional. Hoping you all adapt quickly and have a great year! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longtime Lurker Posted August 5, 2022 Share Posted August 5, 2022 12 hours ago, Longtime Lurker said: This could be a challenge! Is there only one section of each grade or did you choose this? Quoting myself to clarify. Obviously, lots of us on this forum teach or have taught our own children. The possible challenge I mentioned lies in teaching an entire class, one of whom is your own child. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted August 5, 2022 Share Posted August 5, 2022 Glad you had a good run of homeschooling. Good luck on your new adventure! I just finished my run of homeschooling a year ago after 15 or so years. My youngest was in grade 10, and he was definitely ready to take on the challenge of high school, while I started full-time work. He did great and I'm really enjoying my job. The added income really reduces the financial stress and pressure on my dh. I loved my years homeschooling and am very happy that I was able to spend all that time teaching and learning with my gang of 4. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom_to3 Posted August 5, 2022 Share Posted August 5, 2022 Congratulations! That sounds like a virtually ideal setup to return to public school. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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