Panther Power

Yesterday I introduced myself to 400 elementary school kids at a school-wide assembly. I put up my Panther Paw when I noticed another teacher raising hers (this is the "quiet" signal). I looked around at the kids in the room and felt their energy and enthusiasm. I thought to myself..."I think I can do this!"

I haven't updated in so long, because life has been a crazy whirlwind of change and busyness. I just started a new job as the library paraprofessional at an elementary school in Denver. I am completely in charge of our library & computer lab, and soon it will be full of kids all day long. Kids I will read books to and discuss topics they're working on in school. Kids who will try to change all the icons on the computer and listen to music programs they aren't supposed to have access to, and will probably do a google image search for "haciendo amor." And I am excited! This school has a wonderful, positive energy. It has struggled, but it is improving, growing, and changing. These kids and teachers work hard. The school has a dual-language immersion program for age 3-3rd grade, so all kids are instructed in 50% English & 50% Spanish. They graduate the program as bi-literate individuals. The early childhood & kindergarten program is a Montessori program. I really think I'm going to like it here, even though I know nothing about library science and I'm making things up as I go along.

Leaving the Butterfly Pavilion was hard, but I am ready to try a new experiment in the formal education world. I had never quit a job because I was wanting something new. I'd only ever quit because I was moving or graduating or something like that. This was something new, but it was good. And it feels like I'm taking the right step.

Ask me in a month how I'm feeling, but right now I am happy to be a Panther! (my new mascot)