Thursday, March 29, 2012

One Chapter Ends, and Another Begins

I got some really exciting news on Tuesday night. I had been having a bit of a rough day, with March 27th being the anniversary of my Dad's passing, but the date got some new meaning for me right around 5:30 PM.

Last week, I interviewed for a new job. Tuesday night, I learned that I was chosen for the position.

I currently work at Milpitas Christian School, a private preK-8 school where I've been employed for twelve years. (And for about a year and a half before that as a contractor.) I've had a number of roles there, most recently technology teacher for grades one through eight. In the past few years, I've really ramped up how much professional development delivery I've been involved with, and I have wanted that to be my primary job role for some time. But the circumstances at MCS really didn't allow for that, and I've quite happily been teaching in my lab for the past six years, working with almost all the kids in the school. And, I think, really making a difference in terms of preparing them to be more active, engaged learners with a slew of mad tech skillz. If I may say so myself.

This is a little complicated. My son goes to my school, and it's very important to me that he continue to do so. The Christian Biblical worldview, the outdoor education program, the fantastic staff, and -- yes -- the technology program are just a few of the incredibly valuable aspects of his MCS education. That's not going to change. MCS is my family. My son's family. I'm keeping him there for as long as I can.

I said MCS is my family. It's true. They knew me before I met my husband. When we got married. When I moved to Ireland, and when I returned. Throughout my pregnancy and for all of my son's life. My husband has no family in this country, and I have no family in California. Except the MCS family. So, in a way, it feels like I'm graduating, growing up, and moving off to college or something. I love being surrounded by supportive folks who pray for each other daily. So that is something I'm going to miss.

So, where am I heading off to? Five miles from our house. I've accepted the role of Assistant Director of Instructional Technology (Upper School) at The Harker School here in San Jose, California. Most of my job will be professional development and technology integration with high school teachers and staff. But I will also get to teach at least one semester a year. I don't want to leave the classroom entirely, so this looks like it will be the perfect blend for me.

I think one thing that has helped me be an authentic facilitator of professional development has been my daily contact with students. I don't tell other teachers what I think they should do; I share what my students, colleagues, and I are doing together. I don't think I can be a good lead learner if I leave the classroom completely. I'm very happy to report that The Harker School supports and encourages presenting at conferences and those kinds of outside activities with which I'm already involved.

I'm very excited about this new opportunity, and I am eternally grateful for all the love, support, encouragement, prayer, and well-wishes I have received from many, MANY people along this journey. I have not yet figured out how I am going to share my news with my students. All three hundred or so of them. I think some of them will read this blog post and the word will be out.

I will miss their smiling faces, missing teeth, and hugs. I won't miss the nose picking. (Gosh, I hope my high schoolers don't do that!) But I'm not going away. I will still be a part of the MCS family as a parent and as a volunteer. I'll still be involved in our Cub Scout pack that meets at the school (though my role there will need to change somewhat). But I know that this is the right thing for me to do at this point in my family's life.

I prayed repeatedly that God would only allow me to leave MCS for the right new path. Over the past few years, I've had a couple of false starts thinking I had found that path. God closed those doors so that I would be ready when this one opened.

And I'm ready.