I'm not necessarily writing this for advice - just wanted to get my thoughts out... We are going to undergo a LOT of changes next year. My cluster head is leaving so we are getting someone completely new. I like my current cluster head, so I am a little anxious about this change. Speaking of anxiety, although I was flattered when I learned that my principal had designated me as a grade level lead teacher, I am also very nervous about taking on this position. After my first-year in the classroom I still feel like I have a LOT to learn and adding more duties on to my plate makes me feel like I won't be as effective in the classroom. I will also be self-contained next year. This year I only taught ELA-R so I'm in for a big change next year. I'm on the fence about this one... Our curriculum is changing as well - it was WAY too loose this year. We were informed that next year we will be given an outline of what concepts we need to hit on by the end of each week. I like this idea, but we'll have to see if it actually gets implemented in a user-friendly way. My classroom is moving. I could really care less about this one since I would've had to pack up all my belongings regardless of whether or not I was moving. Also, my current room is SUPER humid and I definitely won't be missing that. Finally, the best change - our salary schedules were revamped and our school now starts out first year teachers at 40k (it was 37 prior to the change). Furthermore, with my generalist EC-4 teaching certificate I am getting an additional stipend. With the salary bump, my stipend from my teaching cert, a year under my belt, and the lead teacher position, I will be getting a raise of 8.5k!! :woot:
oh my on the raise! I make LESS than I did when I first started teaching, so that sounds super awesome to me. According to the pay schedule that I agreed to when I was hired, but the system changed, I should be making 8.5K more too. But I don't so you make sure you enjoy it for me too!
Yay for the raise! Are you in your second year in second grade, or your second year teaching? If you are only a second year teacher, I can't believe your P wants you to be grade level chair/lead. At our school, you are always given the position for your fourth year- which is your first year out of the beginning teacher program.
I teach in the same charter school system as Roobunny! My campus is getting the pay bump too (hip hip hooray!)! I'm not too shocked at the lead teacher position---if you're good, you can move up pretty fast here (in most cases)! You'll be great at it! At my campus, our department head for 3rd/4th next year (we don't pick one for each grade apparently) is the worst teacher, had horrible PDAS evaluations this year, and had the worst scores on the STAAR test...BUT, is best friends with principal, so she got it over the rest of us. Politics won out there. It's been a stick in my craw for a couple weeks now. My campus is in for a lot of change too. We are adding another class to each grade. We will now include grades K-4 instead of K-3. We are building on another new wing for third and fourth grade (So I have to move rooms just like you!). We are going to a 9-weeks schedule instead of 6-weeks. We'll cap out at more students per class (27). And of course, we'll have the constant curriculum changes as you do....although, I hope we get them earlier than a couple days before we're supposed to teach as we did this year.
giraffe - I'll be moving into my second year teaching. Like Ms.B said, you can move up really fast with this school. I'm not looking to get into administration though so I am hoping they aren't prepping me for that... Hey Ms.B! I was going to email you and ask about the changes where you are. We are also moving to 9 weeks...forgot to mention that. Drop me a line when you get a chance. I'd love to hear how your year went!
Well, talk about anxiety, we got an email this week inviting us to attend a meeting 1 week after school ends to discuss changes in our administration, and changes to our program. No one has asked us what we want to teach next year, we haven't been asked for our usual supply order, and our program was not protected in the state budget. They don't have to give us the usual notice or pink slips because we are a categorical program. Wish us luck!
Yes, I too will be dealing with changes. I was offered the lead for my team and so it will be a new, additional duty. I also know that next year, it's back to teaching two classes. I'm hoping I can continue teaching math and science. An interesting side note - there are currently two position that will change. These position were kind of like consultant positions. Each one was responsible for offering support in the area they were assigned i.e. math or ELA. Next year these positions will have a new title and will be shared with at least 4 campuses thereby condensing it to a few of these slot. The two we currently have will have to reapply for these positions. One of these works very hard for us and I hope will get this new position. The other on the other hand, should go. If there is justice things will work themselves out for the better.
That's awesome news about your salary! I'm going to have many changes, too: -New team (same grade level, but 3 out of 5 of my team members will be new, due to people quitting-new members will be new hires) -New classroom (I have to move upstairs) -New last name -I will be my team leader -For the first time in 3 years, I will NOT have a 2nd job after school (quitting in August!) -We will be fully implementing Common Core, as well as new 21st century learning standards
WAHOO, ditto to you! I feel like a new name is a huge change in itself. And the being married part, of course.
Lots of changes for me, too: - new school (brand new building) - new administration - new colleagues (about half the staff at the new school will be from my current school) - new studens (about half the students at the new school will be from my current school) - moving out of Special Ed - teaching math for the first time in many years and History and Geography (hopefully) for the first time
