7 more days...

In 7 more school days, St. Clare will no longer be a school for K-8. The building will be used for whatever. No one really knows. Well, I am sure someone knows, but the people who have put their sweat and tears into the building do not. We are working hard to make the last 7 days memorable for the children, the parents, and the staff. There are many events planned between now and the 9th of June. Teachers will be officially done on the 11th, the day before my 6th wedding anniversary. It is a bittersweet time. All of the students know where they will be attending, but the teachers unfortunately do not know where they will be working in the fall. I have been on two interviews, but have had no call backs. Here you are told you are a great teacher by your boss and co-workers and school parents, but it seems others do not want you. It is really depressing especially since you ahve not control over the situation. There is nothing that the teachers could have done to change this outcome. We are just as much the victims in this as the students. There are many people to point the finger at, but no one specifically. It is like a comedy of errors that has cursed us for years.

As I look to the future, I have one more interview scheduled for this Thursday and I am praying that I get the job in writing. The last interview I went on, she wanted to hire me, I told her the next day I was very interested in the job, but then I never heard back from her. So I am jsut keeping my fingers crossed and pulling out the old lucky elephant that got me through college.

Boxes will be packed this week... both personal items and textbooks. Bulletin boards will be taken down one final time. It is normal to do all this, but to know that the walls will not be decorated in the fall, is what is depressing. The school will just sit there. There will be whispers of the children's laghter from the 50 years we were open, and memories will roam the halls, but there will be no classes in the fall for St. Clare School. I have already taken three loads of boxes to my grandmother's garage, and I ahve about 3 more trips when it is all said and done.

On June 14th, I will turn in my keys for good. It will have been a wonderful 9 years of teaching. I have met a lot of people and have many cherished memories, both good and bad. One thing I ahve learned is that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the things that hurt the most, make us stronger as individuals and help show the true side of others.

So on June 9th, I will toast St. Clare School for the wonderful experience I ahve had and the friends and family I will always have.