Kyle was gracious enough to come to school with me today to pack up some things from my room. I have been thinking about this day for a while now; trying to decide what to take and what to leave. My school district has given me this upcoming school year off as a year without pay, so I have the option to go back to work in 2011. The current plan, however, is for me to stay home for next several years. After that I am not sure if I will go back to being a full-time classroom teacher, so it was tough trying to decide what to take. We took 4 Rubbermaid containers, so I was limited to that much stuff.
There were some files I brought home. Mainly ones I might be able to use with Brennan at some point. I left a lot there though. A lot of work I have done over the past six years. (It's so hard to believe I have been teaching that long already!)
I had some more giraffes I needed to bring home! That was an easy decision.
I took a couple of my favorite teacher books/manuals and some of my favorites that I make copies from.
I brought home most of the stuff that used to be on top of my desk: pencils holders, little containers, notepads. Mainly things that have been gifts over the years.
Then I came to the books! I knew that was going to be the hardest part. Some of the books are from when I was a kid, so I definitely wanted those. Some are books that I really like. I tried to keep Brennan in mind and took all the Magic Tree House books, Marvin Redpost books, etc. I was thinking more along boy lines, so if we have a girl at some point, we'll have to get some girly books for her. I knew I couldn't bring all my books home because we don't have the storage room to keep that many. I ended up only filing up one Rubbermaid container with student books. Certainly plenty to keep Brennan busy once he starts reading!
And that was about it.
Crazy to think that I was able to leave so much behind. The same teacher that subbed during my maternity leave is going to be in there this next school year too. I left her note today saying she can keep/use what she wants and can toss the rest. Hopefully she'll find the things I left a little more useful/relevant than the stuff that was left behind by the retiring teacher I replaced!
So begins a new chapter in my life. One that involves only having to worry about one kid instead of 23!
I couldn't be more excited!
2 comments:
Rachel-
This is a big deal! I have accumulated so much stuff over the past six years it would be SO HARD to leave it all. I have spent thousands and thousands on my classroom. Kudos to you for limiting yourself to 4 tubs. I am so impressed.Good luck on the next stage of your life!! I know it will be great for you.
Rachel,
I am excited for you! I know this begins a whole new chapter in your life...a great chapter with Kyle and Brennan. Enjoy the next few years with Brennan because you can never get these years back. You are a great mom, and Brennan is so lucky to have you with him full time!! LOVE ALL THREE OF YOU!!!
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