Reflecting

After reading articles and talking to friends from back home, I've learned about all the craziness going on in the Philadelphia School District. I can't help but feel blessed for where I am right now. I feel terrible for what my friends are having to endure right now and disgusted that it is even happening. Although teaching in Philly for 5 years was no easy task, I'm so glad to have had the experience. It has made me truly appreciate everything I am being given at my new school. I think it has also helped me to be a stronger teacher. For five years, I dealt with crazy behaviors (I often laugh when I think of some of the things that actually happened in my room), unsupportive administration, lack of support and supplies - yes I had to buy copy paper, crayons, glue and many other staple items to make a classroom run successfully- , and loss of prep time to cover other teachers who don't come to school. But I feel that if I didn't experience that, I wouldn't appreciate the things I am given at my new school or be able to work as efficiently. I'm used to working with no prep times. Now that I have them I really make the time count. I'm used to having major behavior problems and so managing these students and their behaviors is a walk in the park. I feel blessed to have resources and supportive administration. I feel blessed to have supportive parents who make you feel like part of their family. I feel blessed to have a fantastic teaching assistant to help me with the daily house keeping things of the classroom. I feel blessed to feel like a teacher again and not just a drill sergeant managing behavior and keeping the peace. I feel blessed to work in a CLEAN building where they clean multiple times a day!

I smile to myself as I hear some people complain about the "small" things because I just keep thinking...you have no idea how bad things could be. When you stop and think about it, it's amazing sometimes I was able to accomplish as much as I was in my classroom in Philly. As stressful as the last five years have been I wouldn't take them back. I have learned so much about my ability to overcome obstacles and work through the hardships. That has helped to shape the person and teacher that I am today and I count that as a blessing.

I'm looking forward to continuing this amazing journey I started two months ago when I arrived here in Brazil. I've already learned so much about myself and what I'm capable of doing and I'm looking forward to seeing where this next path takes me. :) I'm glad I chose to step off the set path and go my own way. I feel this is exactly where I'm supposed to be right now!