We have made it to May. For many of us, the school year is wrapping up. As the 2024-2025 school year comes to a close for me, I wanted to take some time to reflect on the wins and challenges of the year.
This school year had not started as I had hoped. After my contract was not renewed from the previous year, everyone told me that a new opportunity would materialize. I assumed that opportunity would be a new full-time teaching position. I searched for teaching opportunities in my community and surrounding areas, but nothing was available for the credential I have. I ended last summer feeling quite lost and uneasy about my future as an educator. Rather than wallowing in my fear, I chose to return to two areas of education that have been surprisingly reliable for me — tutoring and substitute teaching.
It was not an easy choice to go back to tutoring and subbing. My heart belongs to the classroom. It’s where I want to be professionally. So, not having my own class this year was incredibly challenging for me. I missed watching my own students grow. I missed planning their learning experiences. Although I plan for my tutoring and subbing, it’s not the same as planning for your own class. This sense of longing for something you can’t have yet has been the most challenging part of this school year. And, at this point in the school year, that feeling is still with me as I begin looking for a new opportunity to do what I love.
Although I have longed all year to return to my own classroom, tutoring and subbing both gave me new opportunities to make new connections with students, families, and professionals. Staying with jobs that are essential to education helped me hone my skills and practice new ones. As much as I missed my own class, I feel just as grateful for the opportunity to connect with new school communities.
As I wrap up this school year, I am also wrapping up this school year’s blog posts. I will take some time to enjoy my family and maybe visit some new places. I hope you’ll take some time during the summer to revisit some of my old posts. My goal is always pass on motivation and ideas for teachers, aspiring teachers, families, and community members who want the best for our young scholars. As of yet, I don’t know where I will be teaching for the 2025-2026 school year. But, I don’t know that I will be back here in August for you. Have a wonderful and safe summer!
PinaRose Education 