So Immensely Blessed

Becoming a "real person" has been one of the scariest things in the world. But the payoff is already huge in ways that I only dreamed of. Turning down the Albert Lea job and hoping for Chaska was a risk; taking the Chaska long term sub job still feels like a risk to the change-resistant me. But if I get to live and work here for only a year, I think it may be one of the best in my life.

I love my department!
How many math teachers does it take to get a computer monitor to display? Well, apparently 5 - me who didn't know how to make it work, my mentor who didn't know how to make it work, went to get 1 teacher to help and came back with 3. That's the kind of support that I've already gotten going into this school year. I rarely have to ask for help because my co-workers come and offer it before I even have questions. They are truly amazing. Their reassurance, encouragement, and advice has meant so much to me already. And we haven't even started the official school year yet. I am blessed.


I love my school!
There's so much energy and pride (the good kind) at Chaska High School. The students and parents that I've met our great. The administration and I are on the same page for the most part in terms of educational philosophy. The staff is supportive of each other and is at the same time focused on serving students. It's a fantastic place to be. And I'm so looking forward to it this year.

Location! Location! Location!
So, I recently determined that I'm a suburb girl. When I went job hunting, I realized that I really wanted to live in a place that would feel like home in Maple Grove. Found Chaska. Certainly not the same, but it still feels like home. Add a terrific apartment, the opportunity to live with a life-long (literally) friend, and get my own dog. Love it. Add to that the fact that I'm still relatively close to home. I am blessed. You see, my parents live close enough that they had planned on coming down to help assemble my bed mid-week; as I wound up being super sick that day, they also helped get my dog out on walks and bring sick-appropriate food. Plus I got much more sleep because they were there to help with other things. Not to say that I need to rely on my parents constantly. But it's nice that when I need some extra help, they're only a phone call and short drive away. So incredibly blessed.

A dream come true
Having known since junior high that I wanted to teach, I've always thought about what it would be like to teach alongside my own teachers. But to have the opportunity to teach alongside the one who's made the most lasting impact on my life? In my first teaching job? I am blessed. And a boost to my own self worth. When Jen wound up in Chaska, I always said that they deserved her more. So to find myself worthy to be teaching at the same school? I am truly honored. Further bonus: having someone who's known my ups and downs over the last six years around to check in on me. I am so immensely blessed.

So I'm hoping that that helps to describe how I've felt over the last week. I love my community. I love my apartment, and roommate, and dog. I love my district. I love my school. I love my co-workers, especially my department. Am I nervous about starting with students on Tuesday? Heck yes. But I'm also ready for the adventure. And I know that I'll have a strong support system to back me up every step of the way.