Are you a 4th grade teacher??

That was the question that someone asked me this weekend! This was my answer. "Well, I taught 4th grade for seven years, but I actually just resigned yesterday." I can't believe I did it! It's so very bitter sweet! Maco and I decided that the best place for me right now is at home with Mia. I'm still going to sub a couple of days a week. I'm even hoping to sub in Kalama often, so I can stay connected with the teachers and students.  I'm really excited that I'll get to sub for all of my past students. I could even sub for the students that were in my first class. They'll be seniors this year, but that would mean that I'd have to sub for high school, and they're still a little scary to me. :)

On the one hand, I'm thrilled that I get to stay at home with Mia!  But I'm so very sad that I'm leaving Kalama! Teaching in Kalama was WONDERFUL!! I always thought I would just get my foot in the door with Kalama because teaching in Vancouver was my dream! But after my first year, I was hooked. I didn't ever want to leave!

I couldn't have asked for a better teaching experience than I've had these past seven years! The staff, teachers, students, and families are truly amazing!  Even as I write this, I second guess our decision, knowing that I left such a fantastic school.  But I'm just stepping out in faith and trusting that this is where God wants me to be right now. !(As I'm writing this, tears are pouring down my face. :( I think this post has made the decision real for me! Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the decision, I just need a little time to mourn what I giving up!)

I believe that Mia is my student now. How easy is it having only one student?? :) For some reason, I have a feeling it's not that easy! I look forward to the adventures in "teaching" with Mia! All I know for sure is that I'll never regret this decision! I can't get the years back with Mia, but I can have many more years of teaching later.

Thank you to everyone at Kalama(you know who you all are--there's way too many to list!) for a wonderful teaching  experience! I will miss you all so much more than you know!

This is a picture of just one of the many wonderful memories I will take away from Kalama. My students threw me a surprise baby shower for Mia! My students also threw me a surprise wedding shower during my first year of teaching, and my former students, as 5th graders, threw me a surprise baby shower for Josiah when I was just 10 weeks pregnant. Oh yah, and then there was the surprise birthday party thrown by my students, too!! I could go on and on! Man, I'm going to miss all of this!! Teaching young minds is truly a blessing!