It's no secret that I was heart broken when my good friend and fellow teacher Kelli decided to leave teaching to pursue a writing career. She is an amazing teacher, friend, woman, and human being. She is also hands down probably the best teacher I've ever witnessed.
I was already feeling upset about losing such a great teacher and friend when I learned that my fearless leader, my friend, and another phenomenal teacher was moving on to take a position as a principal. He is going to set OD on fire, and I am lucky to have worked with him, learned from him, joked with him, and collaborated with him. Filling his shoes? Unlucky :)
I should have known that things happen in threes. This past week I learned that another one of my friends, fellow English teachers, all-around good guy was leaving WHS in order to better serve his family. Berg is probably one of the most honest, kind, and giving people I know. He was the guy willing to do the crazy stuff like dressing up as a Caveman or Elvis to meet a "need" at school. lol. So, you can see how I would be heartbroken that he, too, has left.
I'm scared right now. I'm the department head, and I don't even have positions filled for the upcoming school year. The three people I talk to the most about curriculum and instruction are gone. I kind of feel like I'm lost at sea or am running in a trail that leads deeper into the woods with no exit (I might actually enjoy that if I was actually running).
No one gave me an instructional manual for being department head, and I already feel like I might have made a few mistakes. I don't want to give my colleagues extra work when we're already overburdened, but I also can't do things alone. I don't want to dictate, and I don't want to only ask a few people, because I know what's it's like to be the person who is asked over and over and over to do one extra thing. I want us to be a team. To work together, to have fun, and to find some satisfaction in this profession that is becoming more and more difficult.
I also hope my colleagues give me some room to make mistakes because I will. It comes with being human.
