I've experienced it, too

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Home : 2004 : July : 19

I've experienced it, too
By Kathy

I can so identify with this post since my first teaching assignment was in first grade. I had thought that I would prefer teaching lower grades, but had always said I would never teach first! (I've learned to never say
never!) I actually ended up loving first, but after a few years I was ready to try something else! (I didn't like having to begin at the beginning each year after taking the kids so far!)
I ended up with exacty the same problem as you when I was wanting to switch. Always someone on the board wanted me to wait until his/her child finished first grade before I changed. (Which is

a compliment of sorts, but still frustrating when you are wanting a change!) After nine years I chose to leave and go to graduate school. THEN the school board chairman called up and said, "Which grade would you like to teach???"

Since this experience I have taught every elementary grade--including first again for a year--and enjoyed them all. (Even the uppper grades that I always thought I would hate teaching.) My personal preference is third and fourth where I'm teaching now. It's good to find the level you feel most comfortable with.

I agree with the one post that felt younger children were capable of higher leverl thinking. When I taught third grade at my second school, one of the teachers suggested I might be happier teaching a higher grade since I enjoyed doing more complex activities with the children. But it's amazing what children can do--given the chance!!