Year 3: Contentment

I think it's so interesting to look back on past years and see where I was compared to where I am now. Even though it has only been three years, a lot has changed, especially me. Year One Part 1 and Part 2 and Year Two.


About halfway through the 4th quarter, I always begin to reflect on the year. What worked...what didn't work...plans for next year...etc...

As I began to reflect on this year, contentment seemed to be the theme for the year.

Last year was tough. I really was ready to walk away. I didn't want to think about school and couldn't get out the door fast enough for summer break. However, after several weeks by the pool, my mind slowly began to drift back to school.  I spent two hours in the pool one afternoon on the phone with Steph talking about details for this year and sharing ideas.

Transitioning back into school was much easier this year. I didn't have the deep hatred for the early mornings like I did at the beginning of my second year. I still don't love them, but I didn't dread work every morning.

I started the year with the same team I worked with last year and we really had an awesome group of students who made the transition from summer to work so easy.

Was this year perfect?

No.

There were still days that my principal yelled at me and/or the faculty.
There were still those students who made life at school not so fun.
There were still some not so fun co-workers.
There were still struggles.

However, as I reflect back on this year, I have this sense of contentment and peace.

I was content all year long. Yes, there were always things to complain about, but I just didn't feel the need to. Yes, there were a lot of negative attitudes around me. But, when anyone asked my how my year was going, I never felt the need to complain.  My year genuinely was good and my students really were awesome.

I did not have a year that I would exclaim was awesome, but it wasn't terrible either...

I truly believe the Holy Spirit was guarding my heart and mind this school year. There was a lot around me that I could have allowed to bring me down and make me miserable, but I was never miserable this year.  Some of the complaints and negativity were justified and they had some totally legit concerns, but, for whatever reason, I just didn't put forth the effort to get myself all worked up about it.

Choosing to have a good attitude made all of the difference. When it came time to make decisions for next year, I never questioned staying at Carrington. Even as some other opportunities have been discussed, my commitment has stayed at Carrington despite a lot of people leaving and a leadership team that isn't always the easiest to deal with. I could easily justify leaving and many people have tried to convince me to leave, but again, the contentment and peace I have with staying at Carrington has overruled any negativity. I don't understand it, but I'm grateful for it!

I will say the organization I put into this school year made a HUGE difference. The transition into class was SO SO SO much better this year and made teaching a lot easier. I had one day this year with my fifth period class where I felt like I had lost control and it wasn't until almost the last week of school. I had almost forgotten how that felt because this year really was so much smoother. My students and my team were awesome. One of my teammates and I were talking on the last day of school about how fast this school year went by. We both said that after a week or two off, we really could come back to these same students and teach them more. I could not say that about my last two years; I couldn't get those students to 8th grade fast enough. :)

 This year really was a blessing and empowered me to keep with it a bit longer and I'm so thankful for that.

I will say that the end of the year was sad. All of the teachers that came to Carrington at the same time I did are moving on next year. It was so sad to say goodbye to all of them. I hate change and was beginning to think I should have written this post the week before the end of school, before I got all sad about all of the changes coming my way next year. I am so very sad to see all of them go and am dreading all of the change that turnover in a school brings, but am hopeful that we will get teachers that are just as awesome as those heading down different paths next year.

Year three is done. While the third time may not have been the charm, it was a good one. Now, it's off to job number two: summer camp!

Just for fun...I few quotes from the last day of school!
I had my students fill out a course evaluation for me. Here are some of the funny responses I got:
"I wish...that we get candy every time we get a warm-up." (aka every day)
"The thing that helped me the most in this class was...being taught."
"I wish...math had ice cream."
"I really don't understand why...we have crayons"
Then, as my last student walked about the door, she said, "Bye, Mrs. Snyder! I hope the next time we see you you're pregnant!"