Changes and the End of the School Year

My experience in the Dominican Republic has made me realize (even more) that I truly am a small town, Midwest North American Girl! The people here are very kind, there is warm weather, and yes there are beaches and beautiful scenery that are (somewhat) close by-- but for me, they are things that I can live without. (I never knew I would actually miss the seasons, or actually miss COLD WEATHER-- now when I say cold weather, I'm meaning above zero temperatures....🐱) I wanted to come here for the experience, and to be able to grow professionally/personally-- and I definitely have had new experiences, met some wonderful people, and have been able to share my knowledge with other teachers. Though I do like working with/teaching students, I have enjoyed being able to work with other teachers, and be able to teach them about what I know. Meeting Leonela (where I tutor at her school) was definitely a gift for me, b/c she has continually pushed me professionally (continually asking me questions...)-- I have helped her with many of her students and her teachers, and that has made me research and grow in different areas of my field. I will really miss being able to be at the school, b/c I have really enjoyed working with her teachers and students. I have mixed emotions about leaving here, b/c though I am definitely ready to return to the U.S., I will really miss the people here, especially my students. I really want to continue working  with SCS (as well as Leonela's) school in broadening the SST (Sped) department, and if I can afford the plane tickets, I do want to keep coming come back to help them and the other teachers.

June 15th I fly into Omaha, and back to Estados Unidos -- United States. For me, there were really only two places that I wanted to come back to after teaching here- - the area where I moved from in Northeast Kansas or Southwest Kansas. But SW Kansas actually came up on top for me. It is kind of ironic/funny that I want to move back to SW Kansas, b/c when I first moved there, I was not really fond of the area. It was pretty different from what I was used to. But I grew to really love it there, meeting a lot of people that I still keep in touch with. And since moving away 7 years ago, I still have been there every summer. Earlier in the year, I made the decision that I want to go back to High Plains Cooperative, the employer I started with 15 years ago (I feel so old!!!!). I wanted to live in Garden City, and the position that ended up being open was actually the original job I had when I first started- K-1 Special Education! So I've guess I've come full circle to returning back to my original roots. LOL ☺☺When I left 7 years ago, I didn't think that I would end up being back again, but God has a funny way of doing things. After I left, I worked with older students- 3-5th grade, which before, seemed rather intimidating for me. --but I actually have really enjoyed the older students. I have realized that each job that I went to, was a stepping stone for the next. Each job prepared me for the next one. It will be different for me to have to handle state testing, and upper elementary content, but I'm looking forward to going back down the grade levels. :-)

Our last day of school is June 8th, so we actually have quite a bit of school left. To have to go after Memorial Day (even though they don't have that here), seems rather strange (and kinda long...), but it's common here. We have a week off, and then we will have PT conferences on Wed June 14th. Right now, Paula and I are doing end of the year assessments with our student's, and then we type up reports with all the data. We also do Summer homework packets for some of our student's that need alternate summer homework. (All of the teacher's are required to give out summer homework packets). Next year the school will not be offering Replacement Classes (alternative classes), so that will be different for some of our students. I've really enjoyed getting to know Paula, and it's nice to know that she'll be taking over next year, so my student's will have someone that they know. ;-( I haven't told my students yet that I'm leaving, which I'm not looking forward to!

29 Days!!!