I'm a "mover" ...

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Home : 2008 : February : 23

I'm a "mover" ...
By Risa

I've taught from grades K-8 and I've changed schools quite a few times, too. Each time I moved, it was for growth opportunities, so when I changed I was always excited about learning and applying new information.

It
amazed me to read, on another thread, about how long some teachers have taught the same grade. For some, that suits them perfectly. I don't think I would have been able to stay at one grade. I guess I'm always looking around for new ways to do new things!;)

As you might guess, I believe it is a good thing to change things up now and again. While I understand how some say they learn

their area at a much deeper level if they work at it for many years, I believe teaching various grade levels gave me a better sense of 'the big picture'. My experience in the lower grades was in the beginning of my career, my middle school experience came next, and through happenstance, I've been back in the elementary level for the last 6 years, most recently in fourth grade.

I think your success will also depend on how you want to grow as a professional. In particular, if you think you might eventually want to work outside of the classroom, as a consultant, a coach or as an administrator you might want to try other grade levels.

I worked out of the classroom for many years, so it helped me to have had all that experience. Eventually, I found I wanted to go back to working directly with students to actually implement the many things I had learned. I didn't want to be one of those who merely spoke from what 'research says..' Now, in spite of all that I don't like about NCLB, I'm glad I've taught all those grade levels and also glad I've been able to work under the leadership (or not ) of several different principals. I can speak with authority when I tell parents that I'm preparing their students for middle school and I can tell them exactly what middle school can be like.

If you decide to move up from first grade, you will be able to rely on that experience to help you with those students you get who might still be struggling readers. Right now, I'm getting more and more students who are really struggling with reading, but having spent more time with older students, I find I have a big gap in the area of beginning phonics and reading skills. With all the testing craze, we aren't allowing our younger students the time they need to really develop strong reading skills. Those who are behind, stay left behind. They come to us in the higher grades yet we aren't prepared to teach beginning reading. I don't even feel adequately trained to do the remediation I'm supposed to be doing. (Oops! Got on the wrong soap box! Sorry! :-/)

Whatever you decide to do, hopefully, the changes you make as you move along in your career will be changes YOU want to make and not changes that are forced upon you.