On the job front ...

As many of you know, I'm working to complete my administrative certification. I have to take one class and my exit test in June. The feeling of not being a student ... I can't wait to feel it! Anyway, because I'm so close to completion, I decided to go ahead and start job hunting (just within my district) a bit this winter. After going through a couple rounds of panel interviews - one with district principals, and one with central office admin - I was placed in the district's admin pool, meaning if a position were to become available, I could be considered. Within the last couple of weeks, I have interviewed for two Dean of Students positions - one at my school, and one at another middle school. In middle Schools in my district, the Dean comes under the Principal and the Assistant Principal, and is an active part of the school's administrative team. It's a guaranteed three-year position, and after three (sometimes two) years, Deans are typically placed as APs, as long as the job has been done well.

On Wednesday, I was offered the Dean job at my current school beginning next school year! I did a lot of thinking about what it will mean to move up within my own school - I've heard pros and cons. However, for a million reasons, I think it's the best move for me. I know my administrators well, and I know we can work solidly together. I already share great working relationships with many of my colleagues, as well as with the students and parents of the school. My good friend, Rachael, is part of the administrative team as the special ed department head, and I can't wait to work more closely with her. PLUS, our building is undergoing complete renovation, which means I'll get to start my new job in a brand new office next year. Who can say no to that?!

My job will entail dealing with student management issues, working with the school's master schedule, and teacher appraisals (yikes), among a variety of other tasks. I'm very excited about this new opportunity. I have a lot to learn, of course, but I feel ready to take on the challenge. It does feel sad to know that I won't be returning to the classroom when school starts again in August, and I'll have to find new ways to form relationships with the students. However, the potential for impact in my new position will be just as great as it has been in the classroom ... just in a little different way.

For now I'm going to focus my energy on finishing the year in a positive way, and on making the most of my last weeks in the classroom. This summer, when I really have time to think, I'll turn my attention to the very important issue of how to decorate my new office!