Moving schools again rant
I’m finishing up my 2nd year teaching, and I’m moving grade levels again.
I started off my first year in an elementary school. I loved the kids and the content, the schedule was a bit overwhelming though. I had 12 classes for 25 minutes each. Pretty much back to back. I started coaching Jr. High & high school softball. At the end of the year, the Jr. High principal reached out to me and wanted me to come to the Jr. High. This was the age group I really wanted as I was finishing my degree, and I thought it would be better since I’m coaching there too. I could recruit some more girls/ have a better relationship with my players.
So my second year I’m at the Jr. High. I picked up girls basketball on top of softball at both schools. I really love this age group because it’s all about getting students to try new things and finding what they’re good at. I had a co teacher this year who is 3 years away from retiring. Don’t get me wrong, he’s great, but you can tell he’s ready to be done. He doesn’t plan out anything, lots and lots of free time. We started separating boys and girls PE when we had our health unit 3rd quarter. I told him I really liked being separated, because I got better engagement from the girls and the class sizes were a lot more manageable. We have a smalllllll gym, and our average class size is about 40 kids. I think he just liked hanging out with me, because in the 4th quarter, he always took the boys and did whatever we were doing. I would take my girls outside and he would send the boys with us. Or I would stay in and he’d grab some basketballs for the boys to play. So I never really had the chance to run class the way I wanted to.
Fast forward to today, I get pulled into the office with my principal, athletic director, and the high school principal. The high school PE teacher is retiring, and they want me to come do high school PE. He asked what my concerns might be. I told him I loved this age group, and I worry about being too close in age to the high school kids and not being able to be the authority figure, if that makes sense. I’m turning 25 this summer. My Jr. High kids tower over me. He told me that I do great with my high school softball players, and they’re really looking for someone like me to fill the spot. I told them I would prefer to stay here, but I would do whatever is best for the district.
I think it may just be nerves. I’m super bummed about having to tell my students that I won’t be here next year. We’ve had 7 teachers announce that they are leaving the junior high already (there’s been some drama with our principal, he’s not my favorite person by any means, but I haven’t had any major issues). We’re also a small school, maybe 70-80 kids per grade, 6th-8th. That’s a lot of change for the kids, and I feel awful about leaving. Like I feel like they need SOME normalcy when they get back from summer break.
Ughhhhhhh I’m so torn. Everyone keeps telling me that the high school is a much better environment, and that I would love it there. I don’t doubt that. I just feel guilty.
Anyway, sorry for ranting. Any tips on how to manage high schoolers? 🙃