If you ever wondered who MB is, it’s Mary Beth from Maine. Here is a cool report from the field from her:
I got a new position. In a new school. In a TCI school. I was hired because – you ready for this? – because I knew about CI, I know how to teach with CI, and have done extensive research into CI! ? That is what the principal said, the superintendent said, and the Spanish teacher who was in the interview said!
We here on this blog can only DREAM of such a thing happening…but it HAPPENED to me! I feel like Sabrina felt two years ago at NTPRS when she learned that she got the job in DPS! I am so thrilled because I will be able to GROW as a TCI teacher now too. ? ? ? ?
I will be teaching half the day at the middle school and then half the day at the high school – this is a newly created position, since they are expanding language instruction to more grades and making two years of language a requirement for high school graduation!
I met with my new colleagues the other day, and they all (3 of them) asked me about getting together with them shortly after school lets out so we can start talking about and planning curriculum!! YES! One is going away for the month of July, but the other two suggested that we meet at one’s house (she has a pool) and work on things this summer – when we can. OMG!!! I actually will have colleagues who WANT to work with me — I will have colleagues who understand what I have to say, and will LISTEN to my suggestions, rather than question the efficacy of my suggested strategies!
Those of you who have known me for the past four years since I started with TCI know that I haven’t had an easy time of it. However, in the past year or two, it has become tolerable because I have not been verbally “attacked.” I have still been questioned, I have learned to shut my mouth and walk out of the room when told how important it is to include grammar assessments and speaking assessments. Our pedagogies clashed, and that made it difficult to write common assessments together and curriculum.
The irony of all of this? My current colleagues say they are going to miss me, that I bring so much research to the table. Thankfully our district has been running around in circles designing and redesigning standards, curriculum, assessments, etc. and we’re not a requirement, so they have pretty much ignored the WL department – so we have all done our own thing – we’ve just decided among ourselves to make it as enjoyable as possible for the kids so they will continue to sign up. It didn’t matter – two positions were just cut at the middle school.
I was told two months ago, by the superintendent that this was happening and that my position may be affected. I then decided to return a pair of boots that I bought the week before. I bought them to “break in” in anticipation of walking the Camino de Santiago in 2016. But I figured, why hold on to a pair of $150 boots if I might not have a job next year? So I returned them, then went to the sporting goods store to look at backpacks. One of the sales clerks was helping me and at the end of the hour of her working with me and teaching me about backpacks, sleeping bags, air mattresses, etc. I thanked her and told her that she really lifted my spirits. I told her, “I am a teacher and was just told today by my superintendent that I may not have a job next year.” Then told her I taught Spanish (she asked). She then said, (with a dumbfounded look) and pointed her finger in the direction of the high school, “We’re hiring a Spanish teacher here in town!” Well, my jaw dropped! I have been wanting to work in this town for the past four years, ever since I met the teachers at Skip’s conference (my first year with TCI), knowing that they were a CI district.
So, look at all of our success stories this spring – mine, Mike’s, John’s, our research and commitment to this philosophy of and approach to SLA is paying off. Don’t give up folks – your dream can be fulfilled someday too! The tide is obviously changing, little by little. I AM SO HAPPY!!! ?
I need to also take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped me to get here. First I would like to thank everyone on this PLC.I have learned SO MUCH from each and every one of you!!! I would NOT have had the answers to all the application and interview questions if it had not been for all the conversations on this blog! To my wonderful support network that I have met on this blog….SABRINA!!!! JEN!!!! Laurie, Brigitte, Leah…..and a big Thank You to Ben for even giving us all the opportunity to share ideas here!!! But the biggest thanks of all goes to SKIP!! He has been my mentor since Day 1, leading me on this journey of TCI. He opened up his classroom, he told me all about all the conferences, this blog, and kept inviting me to peer coaching sessions. He was always there when I called him with a stupid question. Thank you Skip! I wish I could go and work at Poland with you, but it’s too far, and I know this is the next best thing! I am thrilled to be working with this great group of dedicated TCI ladies!!!