Is it a Hoax, or is it Peace? Or am I the problem?

I began my career in education in August 2014 immediately after college. Through a fortuitous connection at a substitute orientation meeting in my hometown, a family friend introduced me to the possibility of becoming a paraprofessional. Despite my initial uncertainty about certification requirements, I applied, interviewed successfully, and secured the position. For four years, I dedicated myself to this role within the same district and campus before transitioning to classroom teaching. When I entered my own classroom, some veteran teachers had reservations about my prospects; however, once they recognized my paraprofessional background and strong classroom management skills, they were more receptive to my educational background knowledge. My first three years of teaching were particularly fulfilling, including the academic year affected by COVID-19. Our small district managed the situation effectively, maintaining a relatively relaxed atmosphere while implementing necessary safety protocols. The casual dress code that year was certainly an added benefit, which was the best decision made by the superintendent.

During my fourth and fifth years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023), I began to reflect more deeply on my professional trajectory. The 2021-2022 academic year presented significant challenges that affected my well-being and professional performance. I encountered a cohort of students with complex interpersonal dynamics that created a demanding classroom environment. The following year brought additional professional challenges when our campus received a lower accountability rating than anticipated, resulting in the implementation of a Targeted Improvement Plan (TIP). This necessitated substantial modifications to our instructional approaches. Throughout this period, I persistently worked to engage reluctant writers and improve assessment scores, which typically remained in the lower 70th or upper 60th percentiles while other grade levels achieved higher results. By year-end, my students had made modest improvements, with overall performance reaching the mid-seventies.

The 2023-2024 academic year proved transformative. Working with an exceptional group of students who understood expectations and demonstrated academic engagement created an optimal learning environment. I implemented strategic changes to my instructional methods, fostering a growth mindset that yielded impressive results. Interim assessments in November showed remarkable improvement, particularly in writing. My students ultimately achieved the highest STAAR scores on campus, with many earning scores between 5-10, which also compared favorably across the region.

During summer school, our principal proposed reorganizing into teaching pods. I embraced this structural change, anticipating the benefits of focusing on two classes rather than managing a four-class rotation. Following my successful year, I felt confident about continuing my classroom career. When August class assignments revealed numerous students with special educational needs, including those with IEPs, 504 accommodations, and Response to Intervention requirements, I initially maintained a positive outlook. However, as the first six weeks progressed, I recognized that my professional goals were evolving, leading me to consider pursuing an additional master's degree. I believe that realization of new professional goals was what I needed to push myself towards my final decision.

This current academic year has presented considerable administrative demands, including extensive documentation, parent communications, assessment administration, and ARD meetings. Combined with ongoing educational policy changes at both state and national levels, these factors have influenced my decision to explore new professional opportunities after this school year. While I have submitted applications to several organizations, like Pearson, IXL, Hims and Hers, and McGraw Hill, I remain open to possibilities that will allow me to apply my educational expertise in new contexts. I’m excited to see where this new journey takes me, and I hope I’m able to spread my wings into the next adventure of my professional career.