Planning For Next Year

This time last year, I worked, somewhat nervously, each day thinking that I would know soon whether or not I'd be employed this year.

Days passed, and soon May had arrived. I thought surely, if they were not going to bring me back, I would have heard something. The counselors were having me create electives for the next year, another teacher was talking to me about possibly advising the next year's newspaper, and the high school yearbook adviser and I were planning some of the next year's book.

Then the last day of school arrived — and my principal told me that they were not bring me back.

Fast forward to last week.

At my current school, my principal informed me last week that they ARE bringing me back. So all I need to worry about this summer are the professional development opportunities and mission trips. Woot!

In addition, I have been told that not only will I be the newspaper adviser next year (A dream come true!), but also the yearbook adviser. Wow!

And you know that professional development opportunity I mentioned? My department head asked if I wanted to go to the Pre-AP English workshop, but said he wasn't sure there would be enough money for everyone who wanted to participate. In a school leadership meeting last week, the assistant superintendent of the district informed me that I am going. Yahoo!

The validation I am receiving here this year is such a far cry from last, my head is still spinning!

Related topics: Reflective Teacher

About the author 

Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.

Michelle Boyd Waters is the founder of reThink ELA, where she creates research-informed resources that help middle and high school English teachers build stronger communities of readers and writers. After teaching secondary English for 10 years, Michelle has continued working alongside educators and students as a university composition instructor, writing center director, teacher consultant for the Oklahoma Writing Project, and mentor to new teachers. Her work brings together classroom experience, literacy research, and writing center pedagogy to create practical resources that support authentic reading, meaningful writing, and student voice. Through reThink ELA, she helps teachers create classrooms where both students and educators can thrive.

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