I've been out of high school for 35 years, yet I can still remember my physics teacher signing my yearbook. I stood there watching as he penned, Take the next step...(pause) in the assent. I remember thinking, that's a little simple, maybe even a little unfeeling. After all we've been together all year. I didn't think too much about it, after all I was going to college- the next step.
Fast forward to this year. I spent the last 13 years working as a middle school librarian in my district. A job I truly enjoyed. As the year was coming to a close, the four middle school librarians found out their jobs were about to become different. Two of us were going to split time between two middle schools and the other two were going to teach a digital class as part of a creative arts rotation at two schools with a growing population. To be honest, in the many weeks that followed, I have been extremely bitter as to how this change has come about. You see, I am one of the librarians that will be teaching the digital class. As I near retirement, this is not exactly how I saw myself spending my last few years.
I read a lot on Twitter, blogs and listen to podcasts and see some amazing things that teachers and administrators are doing in their schools. The tips and tricks that are shared have been insightful. Recently, I have been thinking about how I am going to approach this school year. I can remain bitter and become one of those older teachers that I have always hated being around. You know the type. Or, I can take the next step, in the assent.
Moving and rising above.
Doug
