Welcome to 2nd Grade, Mrs. P.!

Last week, I chose to turn my world upside-down.

On purpose.

When I walked into my first grade classroom last Wednesday morning, little did I know that in exactly an hour and a half, I would be making an important, life-altering (for me) decision.

This was the conversation I had last week with my principal. I saw her standing outside the school office. With 5 minutes left of recess, our little chat went like this:

Mrs. P. - Hello principal! So, are there any job openings right now?

Principal - Yep! 2^nd grade. You want it?

Mrs. P. - Would you ever consider me? (almost jokingly.)

Principal - Sure! It's yours! I can take it off the job board now!

Mrs. P. - Yes!

(Principal walks into her office to what I assume was "taking the job off the job board").

So there I was, at 9:14 a.m., standing in disbelief, in front of the school office. I did not really understanding what just happened there. I guess I was now a second grade teacher?

As I walked back to my classroom at the other end of the school, I continued the remainder of the school day in a daze. The next day, I felt like a shaken soda pop can ready to explode and tell the entire world (well, maybe the faculty) what I just did; I was so excited!

Did I just trade in my sanctuary and home-away-from home for a world unknown? But I love my classroom! I love first grade! This was my 6th year teaching 1st grade (7, if you count student teaching) years, and it was the perfect fit for me. It was all I knew, and dare I say, I was actually GOOD at it?

I thought of all the countless hours I spent sheet-protecting each file master for every activity and holiday in first grade, cutting sets of laminated file folder games, and labeling everything in my room.

Am I willing to give it ALL up? 
The answer is, and continues to be as of today, YES.


It helps to know that I am passing my beloved materials to an awesome teacher whom I know will treat my things with respect and love, and with the understanding that they are on loan (her words, I promise!) But I am hoping to love 2^nd grade sooooo much that I will never have to ask for everything back after next school year ha ha!

But really, wanna know a major reason I'm moving? Next school year, one of my very, very, very best teacher friends will be staying home to be with her babies. Also, two teachers from our 1^st grade team are leaving to teach out-of-state and elsewhere. I know that I personally need the change to help keep my mind off the fact that I am losing 3 really good friends. Basically, my support system and lifelines in the crazy world of teaching are leaving and I just cannot handle that! I am a wreck!

I needed change. So I chose my own change.

I created this blog because I would like to document my journey as a new second grade teacher. I want to share the many challenges and successes I will face in the upcoming school year as I learn a new core curriculum, learn to work with a new team, and get to know my new students.

I am filled with hope that I made the right decision. I am excited to write a new chapter in my teaching career. I am nervous to see if I can do this. Please join me in my new adventure in 2nd grade and learning more about Mrs. P. and the 2^nd grade Sweet Peas!

Last week, I chose to turn my world upside-down.

I think I did the right thing.
I'll let you know next May.
Until then, Welcome to 2nd Grade, Mrs. P.!