I write this blog post with a lot of mixed emotions. Over the years, I’ve made many changes in my career:
- I’ve changed grades.
- I’ve changed schools.
- I’ve even changed rooms. 🙂
This year, I’m going to be making all of these changes at the same time. Earlier today, I was offered and accepted a Grade 1 position at Dr. Davey School.
I’m incredibly excited about this change that allows me to work with a different group of students, educators, and parents in a completely different area of Hamilton. I am also excited to work with and learn from a wonderful new admin team: Gerry and Gord. This position will challenge me in new ways (in a different grade, with different student needs, and in a different community), and I can’t wait for the challenge! I know that this experience will help me become an even better teacher: something that I strive to be every day!
Please don’t get me wrong! I’ve loved my time at Ancaster Meadow. I’ve worked with wonderful students, parents, and staff that have pushed me to try new things, reconsider my approaches, and ultimately meet the needs of numerous students. I honestly can’t thank my principal, Paul, and vice principal, Kristi, enough for supporting me when I spoke to them about the possibility of leaving. They are two of the most incredible people I’ve ever met, and my students and I learn a lot from their thought-provoking questions and amazing suggestions.
I’ll miss Ancaster Meadow School, and I’ll miss all of the people that make it a great place to be! While I’m happy about my new position, I’m also sad to leave (and a little bit scared about making such a big change). Sometimes it’s okay to be scared though.
Nine years ago, I started teaching Senior Kindergarten at Ancaster Meadow, and when my first group of SK’s leave this building as Grade 8 grads, I’ll be leaving the building too for my own new chapter in education! Change is good — even if it’s scary — and I’m excited about the possibilities that this change will bring!
Aviva
Congratulations on your new position at Dr. Davey School!!! You are going to be missed A LOT at Ancaster Meadow. Thank you for being such a wonderful educator. I have had the pleasure of getting to know you, both my children have had you, and I wish you only the very best for your new adventure!!!
Thank you so much, Rebecca! I have loved working with you and both of your kids, and I’ll definitely miss Ancaster Meadow School. Thank you for providing me with so many wonderful memories. Please do keep in touch! I’m excited about this fantastic new adventure!
Aviva
Congrats on your new job Aviva! I understand where you are coming from as I to am making a change in moving schools [not quite as BIG as moving schools and changing grades and divisions]
Thanks Sharron! I think change can be a great thing. Good luck with your changes too!
Aviva
Good luck, Aviva!
Thanks Louise! I’m very excited.
Aviva
Congratulations, Aviva! Those are some pretty big changes – good luck!! 😀
Thanks! They are big changes, but exciting ones! And I taught primary for years, so excited to go back to it. I also taught in the same area as my new school before, so good to change in that regard too. 🙂
Aviva
Congratulations Aviva!!! Dr. Davey will be so lucky to have you. They are a great bunch of people who are very dedicated to their students. Change is good. Yes, it can be scary but that can be good too. My only wish is that we could’ve worked together again….
Thanks Amy! I’m very excited about this new adventure, and I’m sure it’s going to be a wonderful one. I think it’s okay to be a little scared … working through that scared feeling is all part of the fun! 🙂
I wish we could have worked together too. One day …
Aviva
Congratulations on your new job! Dr. Davey is very lucky and I know you will do great things there. You will certainly be missed! Can I still contact you when I can’t get into Google Docs?? All the Best Aviva!!
Thank you so much, Jeannie! You can definitely email me anytime you have questions. It would be my pleasure to help you out with GoogleDocs. Glad that I’ve had the chance to work with you and so many other amazing parents, students, and staff at Ancaster Meadow. It’s been a wonderful experience!
Aviva
Welcome to the North Cluster! Dr. Davey is a great school and I am looking forward to working with you!
Thanks Amy! I am very excited to be joining the team at Dr. Davey, and I can’t wait to work with you too!
Aviva
Good luck Aviva with your new position. Dr. Davey is very lucky to have you walk through the doors. You no doubt will be an amazing educator in your new school, good luck you will be missed.
Leanne
Thank you so much, Leanne! I’m so glad that I’ve had the opportunity to work at Ancaster Meadow. It’s a wonderful school and has been a terrific learning opportunity for me. I’m excited about my next adventures at Dr. Davey! Keep in touch!
Aviva
I’m so excited for you and your new adventures at Davey! You will be greatly missed at Ancaster Meadow, but your new students and families will benefit greatly. Teaching in the inner city is my very favourite – I’m a wee bit jealous!
Thank you, Kristi! I’m sad to be leaving Ancaster Meadow, but very excited for this new adventure. I loved my previous experiences teaching in the inner city, and I look forward to going back.
Thank you for all of your help and support over the year! I’ve learned a lot from you, and I hope that you’ll continue to tweet me those “hard questions” that benefit my students as well as me! 🙂
Aviva
Congratulations Aviva! You have made such a wonderful impact on the Ancaster Community. You will definitely be sadly missed. Dr. Davey is very lucky to have you. All the best on your new journey!
Thank you so much, Ange! I’ve loved my time at Ancaster Meadow, and I will definitely miss it! I know that this is a good change for me though, and I’m very excited for this new learning adventure.
Keep in touch!
Aviva
Oh, sweet girl! Such a rock-and-roll brave thing to do, to leave the place that has been home for such a long time (’cause sometimes change is easier when it’s within a space that loves you). It’s beautiful that you’re going to move on with the cohort of kids you began with – that feels really appropriate. I will miss your reflections on life in the junior division that we share, but am incredibly excited to see what you’re going to do with Grade 1, since you have such an amazing understanding of what kindergarten can be, and since you are such an advocate of inquiry. Should be amazing to see what you can do with a group of kids who are on the inquiry continuum already. Wahoo! To infinity and beyond, Miss D!
Thank you, Lisa! I’m really excited to be going back to primary and starting a new adventure at a new school. When I walked into Dr. Davey for the interview yesterday, things there just felt right. I know that I’ll be happy there, and while making a move is always hard, this move will be a good one for me! I can’t wait to see how things unfold in Grade 1, especially since my students will have all come from FDK. What a wonderful way to extend the inquiry continuum. We may not be able to swap junior stories next year, but I look forward to swapping stories with you nonetheless!
Aviva
Good luck in the new school, Aviva. May all of your parking experiences be drive throughs.
Thanks Doug! I may be in trouble though: there are no drive through spots at Dr. Davey. Thank goodness my parking skills were not considered in the hiring process! 🙂
Aviva
So excited to have you back in grade one. I have so missed the early years conversations we’ve had in the past. I am looking forward to having my thinking pushed by you once again. Karen
Thanks Karen! I’ve really missed our early years conversations too, and I’m excited to connect with you more in the upcoming year!
Aviva