I’m not sure about your area, but California has been hit pretty hard with major budget cuts over the last few years. The first time I was pink-slipped freaked me out. I was young and naive and didn’t understand the politics involved in teaching. Luckily, I was hired back at a different school, which ended up being a blessing. I moved from 1st grade to Kinder. Another year in the books and another pink slip and was moved from full-day Kinder to 1st grade because our team was too strong. This was another blessing. The next pink slip was tough because it forced 400 tenured teachers in my district out of our classrooms and schools that we loved. I remember thinking, “This can’t be happening. I’m a great teacher, I teacher Professional Development classes for the district, I created Family Literacy nights for our school to get our Title I parents involved, 100% of my students are at benchmark, and I’m in the middle of earning my Master’s Degree in Reading along with my Reading Specialist certificate.”
Teaching in Hawaii was beautiful and I fulfilled a dream. I brought my knowledge from the mainland and was able to share it with new teachers. I taught PD classes for beginning teachers and shared how to run a successful Literacy Workshop, or centers. I learned so much in Hawaii and am so grateful for the opportunity, but had a lot going on in my personal life and just wanted to be home.
happy to have my car back |
taking a little break |
Golden Gate Bridge |
Jen Cullen//Sparkling in Second says
Kristen! Thank you so much for sharing your journey! I just love getting to know you. You are so sweet and strong! You are gonna kick butt in San Diego 🙂
Jen Cullen//Sparkling in Second says
Ps. WHY DID I JUST FIND OUT I WASN'T FOLLOWING YOU ON BLOGLOVIN!? So sorry, I fixed it! 😉
She (Sprinkle Teaching Magic) says
Fantastic! I really enjoyed reading about your experiences. We have been on similar pink slip paths. I am so glad you do not have to interview and go through the layoffs this year! I can't wait to talk with you tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Sheila
Angie Olson says
Wow, Kristen! I had no idea you've had such a bumpy ride! I love what you said about knowing your worth and not believing you are any less! Love that! You are one dedicated and strong woman…love that about you! I'm so glad you found your place in another 2nd grade classroom. Let's hope this is your final stop!
Mrs. Olson’s Lucky Little Learners
Lauren S. says
Kristen,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us! I had no idea how many times you have been pink slipped or that you taught in Hawaii. Pink slips are not cool, but Hawaii, that is so cool! I can't wait to hear more about that one day! 🙂
Thank you for sharing all these tips and using your story to inspire other teachers. I'm so glad you have not let the politics of teaching or the economy get in the way of your passion or your dreams! I am so HAPPY that you don't have to spend your summer time on EDJOIN and that you have a position for next year. I bet this will be the best summer yet! =)
Lauren
A Teachable Teacher
Theresa Copeland says
I stumbled upon your post because I was reading your "Why I'll Never Be Teacher of the Year" post. Anyway, your post is so inspiring! I remember the heartbreak of not getting a call for a single interview when my husband was relocated from Florida to Georgia, and having to go back to Florida to teach while my husband stayed in Georgia. Who would have ever thought?!?
I also noticed that your summer countdown page from you last picture is actually something I created! I mean HOLY CRAP! I don't ever expect to see something I created in pictures 🙂 What a small world we live in!
Theresa
True Life I’m a Teacher
Kristen says
That is so cool!
Susan says
I just can’t do another sub situation. I need my own classroom. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I now know I am not alone.
Kristen says
I totally get it, Susan. Hang in there, it will get better!
Amber says
What is GLAD?
Would you share more on Literacy nights for families? Thx.
Kristen says
It stands for Guided Language Acquisition Design
Here’s an example of one of our literacy nights years ago.
I have different family literacy night examples in this resource that I created as part of my Master’s in Reading.
Montana Chapman says
I am student teaching currently this semester and my experience is quickly coming to an end. I have already interviewed with one school and will be interviewing with more schools in the next few weeks. Thanks for the interview tips! They are very helpful! I do have one question though. I have to give a lesson to the district before I get hired. I was wondering what you did for your Project Based Learning Lesson. If you could give me some tips and trips for this it would be greatly appreciated.