What Was I Thinking?

I am a first-year kindergarten teacher.  I am not a first-year teacher.  I have years of experience, multiple certifications, trained in many areas of educational technology, a multitude of resources at my disposal, and yet...and yet...


What was I thinking?  Oh yeah, now I remember.  I wanted to teach the grade that I've always wanted to teach.


How did I get here?  Well, it was a crazy set of circumstances that led to my move from a fifth grade position across the hall to kindergarten.  A move that I willingly made (although many called me crazy, some brave, and some just shook their heads with that are you kidding me look on their faces).  One that will probably prove, at a future date, to be one of the most valuable experiences that I'll ever have as an educator. 


And, I don't know if this makes a difference to those of you reading this, but I'm a guy kindergarten teacher.


It's bad enough that there aren't enough of us, guys that is, in elementary education.  But, there certainly aren't but a few of us who are willing to teach at this level.  "It takes a special person to teach kindergarten, just as it takes a special person to teach fifth grade," my new principal said to me this week.  I've come to believe that this is very true.


I've wanted to write a blog for a while, but hadn't found what I believed to be the write muse, so to speak.  Well, I think I've found that muse.  


It's the end of February, and I've had experiences with this first kindergarten class the likes of which I've never had in all my years of teaching.  Experiences with the students as a whole, as individuals, and from the parents.  Some funny, some aggravating, and some that were simply unbelievable.  All of these to be shared as the days and weeks go by.


Come back soon to read about my adventures.  If you happen to remember that old advertising slogan for the Navy, keep it in mind because if definitely fits my classroom: It's not just a job, it's an adventure!