Farewell to St. Clare School

The history of St. Clare begins for me on June 26, 2001. I saw an ad in the Baltimore Sun for a job opening for St. Clare elementary school. I was fresh our of college and eager for a job. I called, interviewed at 9:30 a.m. By 1:30 that afternoon I was called and offered a job- the choice of fourth or fifth grade. I of course chose fifth grade. I began moving in that July and by August I was ready to go. Well I thought I was ready to go.

I met my class, they realized I was young, so did the parents. I was only 21.. not 22 until that November. I will always remember back- to- school night when a parent ripped me a new one. I thought they would never leave... by 11:00 p.m. I was leaving school with puffy eyes and much support from my principal and co-workers (my other mothers). I went back to work the next day not knowing what to expect, but I was welcomed by a student with daisies.It made my day. I made it though the year with some high points. I met Scott on October 4, 2001 when he happened to walk into the faculty room to get a soda for his mother. (Coinsidence my ass, it was planned!!) He came by after school a few times, we exchanged numbers and on October 12, 2001 we went on our first date to The Avenue. We ate at Chilies and went to the movies to see the movie where Brittney Murphey says "I'll never tell". It was memorable, but I cannto remember it all right now. The year got better like I said with parents tracking my mother down at SSA- to e-mail her that she has a wonderful daughter who is a great teacher. I do remember that this came froma student named Tyler (I cannot say the last name for professionalism). Later that year too, the teacher who ripped me a new one came to thank me for all I had done for her daughter.

My second year was better, with great parents as I ahve had ever since. Very memorable moments. On November 30, 2002, Scott proposed and I said yes. We began planning our wedding and I invited all the faculty to our wedding. Most showed and shared in our wedding. We were married on June 12, 2004.

A few years later we decided to have a baby. It was not easy at all, for I had many problems. After trying I was finally diagnosed in August 2006 with Thyroid Disease. I began on a regiment of Synthoid and by October I was pregnant with Lex. Lex was born on May 30, 2007 after my school family saw me grow, and grow, and grow. They were very supportive when I went out on bed rest and then developed HELLP Syndrome. I was a very sick person, but I knwo my St. Clare family cared about me (parents in the class and faculty members).

It did not take long for Lex to become a St. Clare icon. He thought that it was HIS school. He still to this day walks around like he owns the place.

Then last year, we lost some faculty members (this was very devistating for our little school community), but we pulled through as we always do and began to move forward. We gained a wonderful leader who really tried to keep us moving forward. In February of 2009 I announced that I was pregnant again along with another coworker. We were only due one week apart. THe year got better, the faculty pulled together and really for once put everythign aside- there was no added drama, everyone was treated fairly, and we became another little family.

The summer went by, and at the beginning of this year, we really were moving up and up. Parents were happy, teachers were happy, and we began to see some hope. In November I had Jack, who again came to know St. Clare very well. He loves listening to everyone talk to him and the fact there is another baby at school just his age, just a few weeks apart.

Everything was going well, until we approched the announcement fromthe Blue Ribbon Committee for the Archdiocese. We knew that it was going on, and that they were looking at the practicality of all the schools in the areas. most of us were praying very hard that St. Clare would be saved and given a by for a t least one more year. This hope quickly ended yesterday at 3:00 p.m. when it was announced to the teachers that St. Clare will be closing at the end of this year along with 12 other schools int he Archdiocese. It was sad at first, but I am going to keep moving on. I have a few leads for a job because we all have to start looking once again. Some are going to the county, others can retire, and then there are those who just do not know where to go. I am looking everywhere... I need a job so why not. So in June we will recieve our last pay check from St. Clare School. We are getting our entire salaries, but it will be hard, but I ahve a few lead like I ahve said before. I feel bad for the students who have to start over making friends allover again. I know how hard that is especially in Catholic schools where students begin at age 3 and go through grade 8. Sad, sad, sad.

So for the past nine years, I have not just had a job, I have had a family who I know cares for me, my family, and my future- As I do their's as well.