Okay, so within the past week, my (work) life has turned upside down. My co-teacher was offered a full time teaching job at another school. She has been waiting for an opportunity like this for years, so of course she accepted the position. This left me conflicted. Of course I was excited for her, for she truly deserves her own kindergarten classroom. But I was also sad, and nervous. Not only was I losing someone I work incredibly well with, but I was now going to take the lead in the classroom.
Here's how my classroom worked: every first and third week of the month, my co-teacher would plan, prep, and execute lesson plans in the classroom, while I assisted. And every second and fourth week, I would lead and she would assist. This makes it so the work and teaching time is divided equally between the teachers. That being said, my co-teacher has been working at my preschool for three years, so it's only natural that it felt like her classroom, and I was more of a second teacher. Her leaving meant that I now had to takeover the head teacher responsibilities.
Today was the first day without her. On top of that, we had new students that moved up from younger classrooms. So, to say it was stressful and chaotic would be an understatement. That being said, I got through the day with a smile on my face (and every kid accounted for). And at the end of the day, I received positive notes from parents, students, and the administrative staff.
Although she will be missed, her leaving forced me to step up and take the reigns. It's amazing how chaos can bring out the strength you never knew you had.
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