Thankful.2016
When I first started this blog, I had every intent of writing about not only traveling, but teaching, teaching through traveling, and just the constant state of "go" I was in - because of teaching...and traveling.
Yet I feel I've only written about my travels - some of them with students, which you can read about here, here, and here. But most of them are just my own explorations.
So when better of a time to write about teaching than Thanksgiving weekend??! A time when each person sits to think about their blessings. And oh how so very blessed I am!
I get to do the job I've always wanted to do.
I'm currently living in the state I've always wanted to live in.
I'm working at a school where I feel supported and valued.
And I realize not everyone in this world gets to say or feel those things.
My career started in Illinois, at my high school alma mater. I was a permanent substitute teacher, and it was definitely not my favorite thing in the world. I got really good at pushing "Play...Stop...Rewind..." And students have zero respect for subs, so it was a constant challenge - to not know what type of classroom you were walking into, not know what the plans would be (IF plans were even left for you at all), not know the students and basically have to start over every single day. A lot of teachers at school told me I had the easiest job in the world. Sure, I didn't really have to plan or grade anything. But my job was essentially babysitting and discipline. The mental and emotional toll it takes on you to be the disciplinarian to teenagers that you don't even know their names...I. Was. Done.
Half way through that sub-year, I began job hunting. Nation wide. I had a Skype interview with a school in Alaska. I was on the phone with a school in Memphis, TN. I was filling out online applications for New Hampshire, Florida, Nevada, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, and so on...
I just desperately wanted my own classroom.
The trick with education though, is if you don't have years experience, then you need to know someone. And I knew practically no one. Except for one person in an inner-city elementary school district in Phoenix. My cousin's wife, Erin. She taught 1st grade, and thought that an 8th grade Social Studies position might be opening up. So she passed my name along, I flew out to interview, got the job, and packed up my life to move to the desert.
Finally, my own classroom. With my own students.
Nothing prepares you for teaching like your first year in a classroom. Truly. There is not one college course that can fully make you understand what it is going to be like to have 100+ adolescent faces looking at you, and being responsible for each of their individual learner needs (and often, personal needs).
My first year was filled with a lot of mental breakdowns and bottles of wine. Teaching in the inner city is a whole different ball game. In addition to teaching about history, I was also:
a disciplinarian. every. day. for more than several students a day.
a reporter to child services (more than a few times a year)
a ride to the homeless shelter after school (some buses just didn't go to that part of town)
a statement-giver to police (some officers knew me by name)
an after-school program provider for kids (most of them) that simply just didn't want to go home for a multitude of sad reasons
a writer of legal-immigration recommendation letters
a teenage emotional-breakdown therapist
a provider of breakfasts or lunches for kids who ran out of money in the cafeteria (even on free/reduced status)
OH and a chaperone at this-totally-smells-like-teen-spirit dances
As insane as that might sound-and it was insane-it was also so rewarding and meaningful. The vast majority of the students came to school with a yearning for education. They soaked up everything they could. They tried so hard, and when you thought they couldn't try anymore, they kept trying. They wanted to HUG you because they felt the love one can have for education, and they knew how valuable everyday in the classroom was. For every ONE moment I had that was negative, I had five positive moments.
oh my heart.
took these kiddos on a hike up in northern AZ!
But as much as there were positive moments, and so many rewarding feelings coming out of that job, after 3 years, I was done. This was mostly due to really ineffective leadership at the administrative level, but there were definitely days with the kids that were so beyond stressful, that I really contemplated if I chose the right career.
I called my mom one day, crying, and said "This is it. I need to quit. I am so unhappy. If I can't find a job teaching at a high school in Colorado, then I'm done teaching forever."
It was hard to say goodbye to these kiddos...
...REALLY hard.
But also really easy. Especially when I landed a job. At a high school. In Colorado.
I kind of don't even think this blog post is worth anything, because there simply aren't words to capture the feelings I have about my school.
I have students that love to learn. Or maybe they don't love to learn, but they sure know how to put on a good show for me at least! I have students that make me laugh every single day. I have students that put others before themselves. I have students that say "thank you" every day to me when they are leaving my classroom. THANK YOU FOR WHAT?! DOING MY JOB?? This is madness. They are so unbelievably polite and big-hearted, that I don't know how to respond sometimes.
I have coworkers that love their profession, and put their whole being into doing the best they can every single day. I have leadership that knows how to lead (!!!). Beyond effectively too!
I have had the opportunity to coach, sponsor clubs, start new elective courses, participate in staff leadership opportunities, and cheer on students at athletic events - high school level AND OLYMPIC LEVEL. Yes, you read that. Go Mal Pugh!!
Even in the dark times Vista has faced, students, staff, and the community, have all pulled together to show that we can get through anything.
my freshman volleyball team that was completely undefeated!
i never take any fabulous photos of mal's games because i'm too busy screaming in the stands.
This is my 3rd year at Vista, and it kind of feels like I've been here forever. Because it's home. My heart has found where it belongs. I've been wandering from school to school (okay, only 2 before Vista), from state to state (okay, only 2 before Colorado) until I was so lucky to land the best job in the world. ;)
Thank you, Vista. For being amazing in every sense of the word.
xo, Jaclyn
p.s. also, thanks for letting me travel across the world with these little (but taller than me) weirdos :)
