Leaving my job March 2012

I had shared exciting news with all of you that I was starting a new job in January, well, no sooner did I start my new job, did we find out we were likely moving, which also meant I had to tell my supervisor and colleagues that I was leaving...so soon after I just started.  It was a difficult situation, but in the end, there wasn't much I could do.  Houston is such a transient city that my supervisor understood, although she did give me some grief.  Since I wanted to be as effective as possible, I decided not to share the news that I was leaving with the students until a few days before I left.  This proved to definitely be smart but also sad.  Even though it was not the easiest job and the students really could be difficult, they all were so sweet in the last few days leading up to my last day.  Of course!  Wish they could have been a bit more cooperative prior to that, but, kids will be kids :)

 A group shot of one of the classes.  

 In my first few weeks, theses girls were so rude and difficult with me but slowly, they started to come around.  By the end, they were so sad that I was leaving and made a very sweet card to wish me well.  

Another group shot.  These poor kids have had very rough lives. 

 Many students were refugees from the Republic of Myanmar and this was a very typical hair cut. 

 Another group shot

Videos they "made" up

 This sassy student has the same name as me and always played that card.  She also smacked her gums, constantly!  I finally convinced her how rude it was to do and she decided only to do it when I really made her mad = made her to her work = all the time :) 

 This student was Mr. Fashion all the time.  I would have liked to see his hair without all the gel 

Cute cards from sweet students. 

In the end, it was meant to be that I worked at this school, as was leaving before my time was up.  I met some very interesting people, both colleagues and students alike.  If nothing else, it gave me more and more appreciation for each and every thing I have in my life and an opportunity to share my love for education to students who really needed it.  All they really wanted was attention and love.   It is no secret that it was definitely not my dream job.  The administration and other teachers are nothing like I've ever seen before and made for a difficult situation each and every day.   I'm grateful for the opportunity to see the other end of the spectrum and learn that not all school situations are like the others I have been a part of in NY, Virginia, and overseas.  I tend to see the world, and especially the educational world through rose colored glasses but this sure did taint my view.  It's sad to see how American education in this state, and from what I hear, others, has become so assessment focused and unfortunately, it seems to be at the detriment of each and every person involved.