Yesterday, Boomer and I presented our last program at the Kemp Memorial Public Library. We had 49 kids and 23 adults at our event.  Got to see some former students along with several little ones.  Lots of fun as we had a guide-dog-puppy in training join us for the program about service dogs and therapy dogs.  Tails were wagging and lots of petting was going on.

Four years ago, Boomer and I started the R.E.A.D. program at this particular library.  We’ve worked with many wonderful families and helped to develop some great readers.  Now that I no longer work or live in the area, it is time to close this chapter of our therapy dog work and move it closer to home. A new team will be in place this fall to continue the program and take it in a new direction.

Never fear, Boomer and I will still be around every so often to substitute at the West Cobb Regional Library and to visit with our many friends who still live in the area.  After all, we did call this area home for ten years!

Ten years of teacher stuff sits in my dining room at the moment.  I have to visit my old school on Monday to pick up a few things I missed and other things I decided to leave behind but thought better of it once I thought about it for a bit.  After that, then it’s on to RIS and start the media makeover there.  And believe me, there’s a lot of work to be done!

It’s been interesting to hear the reasons why people think I left so suddenly.  It wasn’t a sudden decision, but rather one that was contemplated for several months. The main reason is the job was no longer a good fit for me. I did interview at a nearby school, but someone else got the job. Not a good result when the consequences for not getting the transfer now mean you are placed on the admin “$hit” list. I can’t say for sure if some other events that took place were the result of admin bungling the whole process or my punishment for trying to transfer, but it certainly wasn’t pleasant. There was no doubt I needed to move on, job or no job. Fortunately, hubs eventually got on board and we formulated a plan. An opportunity to interview at RIS came out of nowhere and within a week I was offered the position – right before the deadline to turn in my resignation letter. I am extremely thankful things worked out. The school seems to be a much better fit for me and I will have plenty of room to grow. Makes a big difference.

So, the next week will be spent sorting through all the stuff in my dining room, hauling it to the new school and seeing what I need to buy for my library and setting up a schedule to come purge one or two days a week.  I’d like to keep most of June free to relax and then really get busy once the new budget year begins July 1st.

So here’s to summer stitching, summer reading and relaxation!

Fifteen years of teaching.

Done. Over. No more.

No wait.  Back that truck up.  HR called.  My transfer went through.

Talk about doing the happy girl dance!

What a roller coaster ride the past three weeks have been.  Lots of tears, sadness at the thought of leaving coworkers whom I love, but working at a job I no longer enjoyed, stress about the unknown…  Very thankful for the support and guidance from hubs as I navigated the past few weeks.

Two interviews today for jobs in other types of libraries made me realize that the school library is the place for me.  My former Assistant Principal pegged it spot on – I love what I do, I just needed someplace else to do it.  So, when HR contacted me about the transfer being approved, I almost ran off the road.  The call came as I was on my way home from the second interview. Talk about timing.

Commute will be 1/3 what it has been and the school will be a good match for me and the kiddos.  Plus, Boomer can indeed go to school.

No way was I returning to my previous school, especially after the meeting on Wednesday.  Resignation letter was already signed and ready to be presented by the due date.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that life is too short to do something you no longer enjoy.