Whew!

As always, the start of a new school year is a bit crazy. New students, setting expectations, creating structures, etc. I knew that transitioning to middle school, while also beginning a new position as technology integrationist, would mean new challenges and lots of new learning this year. However, I didn´t expect the learning curve to be quite so steep! 

I have to say, the past month has been a whirlwind! I´ve gone from feeling excited to overwhelmed to stressed to excited within hours practically every day this week. I´ve been wanting a new challenge for awhile now and I have to say I definitely got what I wished for in this new position! 

Learning how to teach new content in a different setting with different expectations has really challenged me as a teacher so far this year. In addition, taking on so much new technology and new initiatives as a school always means that unexpected issues pop up. We´re basically creating a technology integration program as we go, which is really exciting, but very challenging as well. In many ways, I feel like I actually have two full time jobs instead of two half-time ones! Whew! Although overwhelming and stress-inducing at times, I have been reminded of how much I love learning and figuring out how to tackle systemic issues in a school. And I know that it´s going to feel like a huge accomplishment when everything starts to smooth out. :)

So again, I find myself searching for balance in my life. How quickly exercise and Spanish become lower priorities when spending so much time on work! I hope to become more consistent with both in the upcoming weeks. With trips to Stockholm and Budapest around the corner, blue skies and warm weather, and many fun fall events planned, I suppose being stressed in Barcelona isn´t really that bad . . . :)

Key Idiomas

Here are a few photos of my school - Key Idiomas. It's a language academy in Sevilla Este, about a thirty minute bus ride from where I live. There are some pictures from the two classrooms I use as well. It's certainly different than Crawford, but I love it!

School's Out for the Summer!

Wow - it's so hard to believe, but I finished my teaching career at Crawford Elementary School today! While cleaning up my room, moving furniture, and packing up the items I couldn't bear to part with (my kiwi, personal classroom library books, my "Miss Killion" name plate), the past seven years were definitely on my mind.

I so vividly remember my first day and the feeling that even with four years of preparation, I had no idea what I was doing, yet still loved every minute of it! Reflecting on the past seven years, I'm happy to say that I still believe teaching is the greatest job ever, kids will surprise you and make you laugh every single day, and that I still often feel as though I don't know what I'm doing (although I now know where to look and who to talk to in order to find answers!). I know teaching will forever be one of my greatest passions.

As I hugged my summer school students goodbye and did the final check of my room, all I could think of was how grateful I am that I'm leaving my first real job with nothing but the best of memories - memories of wonderful co-workers who have become even more amazing friends, of students who have overcome so much, made me so proud, and taught me so many things and of how much I have learned about literacy, teaching, and learning.

I said goodbye to room 41 and Crawford Elementary with a smile on my face - grateful for the memories and excited for my next adventure that lays ahead . . .