Well...the time has come.
The past 6 years of my life of being called Mrs. Jones are now over, and it is time for me to move on from this place...
Not only did I attend Highland Elementary during my entire elementary experience, I also worked there as a secretary/aide for a year, and then as a teacher for five.
I taught 1st grade for 3 years, and have taught over 400 students from kindergarten to 6th grade over the last 2 years as a specialist.
I have spent 13 years of my life as a Highland Hawk...and I have to be honest...walking out those doors on Friday will be leave a bit of a lump in my throat.
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I am so incredibly lucky that I get to stay home with Jack, and it really is time to go, for now. Although the past while I have only been working part-time anyway... it is time for a clean cut and different season of my life...and I'm happy for that.
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So much of my identity for the past 6 years had been as Mrs. Jones, and I will cherish the memories I have of being in the classroom. I will always remember my early years of teaching with absolute fondness.
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I highly doubt my teaching days are entirely through--
but...here's to remembering my first years...through early marriage to pregnancy.
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This was my very first classroom.
I did just about all I could do to turn a nasty room in a trailer into a pleasant home for myself (seeing as I was there about 18 hours a day!)
Into my 2nd year, I was moved into the new addition of our school and my smelly room was upgraded to a brand new room!
I cant tell you how many of these awesome faculty pictures (and faculty shirts) I have laying around from every year. I have been so lucky to rub shoulders with these people during my years at Highland. Some of my fellow co-workers were even my teachers at Highland...which never stopped feeling weird!
Apparently, I was too busy chasing these little 6 year old rats around to catch many pictures...but, take my word for it...it was every bit as rewarding as hard work...and I will never ever forget it!
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Mrs. Jones....signing out!
4 comments:
Now I have a lump in my throat...Highland Elementary is truly in your blood as well as mine...I feel like the years combined between you and me, and the many hours we have both spent there...well, it is alot..and I do not regret a single moment...you have enriched the lives of many children, honey...and I am so proud of you for that...I have a feeling your teaching days are not over..you will always have that certificate and there is alot of security knowing that if you did need to teach again...you would get a job...Highland will always hold a special place in both our hearts...you can take alot of pride claiming to be one of it's elite alumni...you're the best...love u.
Sheesh sis..bring a tear to my eye. These pictures bring back so many memories. You look so adorable in every picture. Once a teacher, always a teacher. You have such a gift and you've helped so many children. I will formally offer to watch Jack every day next school year so you can be Hank's teacher. Or, we can just chill every day and enjoy our new found unemployment! I will call you Mrs. Jones anytime you want and you can break out your awesome denim faculty shirt.
Sniff, sniff. Can't really comment much as I can't see the computer screen through some pretty teary eyes. All I can say is that Jack is a lucky boy, and the school system will be counting the minutes until it can welcome you with open arms back to the classroom. I heard that there is a new principal in the PG cluster who could use a trusted advisor. I'll pass on your number.
Oh, Mrs. Jones, what a bitter sweet day. I am so happy for you to be able to be with Jack all day. But, I must say I know the feeling all too well. I will warn you that you might feel like you are not a "person" next fall when school starts and you don't have to do anything. I might have shed a tear or two when I saw the crossing guard the first August I didn't teach. But, it is the best thing ever!! Jack is one lucky man.
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