I find myself this day reflecting on an interim teaching position that I’ve just finished my first week in completing. It’s a truly difficult position on several fronts. First, it’s a English/Language Arts position, which is not one of my areas of expertise. Although I’m certified to teach the subject, it’s been a long, long while since I’ve done so.
Secondly, the students that I’m working with have been a real challenge. A lot has changed in education over the past several years and certainly since I first started teaching. I have found classroom management and discipline to be a true challenge.
There are those times when I wish I hadn’t agreed to take this position. There are nine weeks left in the school year, not including the week off for spring break. One advantage is that we have two teacher workdays next week and that will be time for me to catch my breath and reassess where we’re at.
I have made the decision that this will be my last interim position. I retired in 2010 and have completed over twenty positions such as these and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from the week I’ve spent in this one, it’s that I no longer have it in me to do these long term positions. And while I’ll still substitute from day-to-day, this interim will definitely be the last of those.
I pray each day to be given the guidance, wisdom, and strength to face the days, weeks, and months ahead. I’ll indeed enjoy this summer more than most.
David Lee
David Lee 