Yes, it's the time of year where teachers look forward to some time away from the kids. The first couple of weeks of July are always my favourite part of the holidays- there's a great feeling of space, of relief and also a sense that another chapter has been finished. One thing I've come to value about teaching is the cycles. Each year another group or groups of kids are given to me to get to know and to get to teach.
But this summer is also the beginning of a change for me, as I move into teaching primary grade two next September. Fewer kids, different kinds of needs, a new set of teaching skills, and further development of the old ones. And my workplace is a two minute walk from my front door!
It's hard to tie up all the loose ends at the present workplace. There's so much stuff to pack up and sort out. But honestly, I'm not sad about letting someone else have a go at it. I was spread pretty thin with all I was trying to do, especially with one particular project that was very awkward to complete within my timetable. Maybe too much freedom in designing curriculum is not always a good thing! And yet, I have learned so much from this present staff. I am in their debt. Several of them will continue to be my mentors and role models. This has been such a broad and enriching 8 years for me, it is hard to make a list of some of the things I've tried, but I might give it a go.
