It’s official!

Ready or not here I comeIt is official!  For the last three years, I have been an instructional specialist on an early childhood campus that  serves PreK students ages 3-5 in a variety of programs.  Prior to that I was a bilingual PreK teacher for 6 years.  But I have not always been a preschool teacher, before that I was a 2nd grade teacher in a private Christian school in Florida where I taught 4 years.

What Do I Really Want to Do?

This past December I earned my master’s degree in educational leadership.  The logical sequence its that I begin pursuing an assistant principal position, but after several months of soul searching that is not the direction I have chosen to take.  I have learned so much these last three years as an instructional coach. One thing I learned is that the most important thing that happens in a school does not happen in the office.  The most important thing that happens in a school, happens in classrooms.

To many people’s approval and disapproval, I have decided to return to the classroom.  I feel I have reached an age, as well as, a point in my career where I really want to live out my true passion.

I have always been interested in a particular school in my district that is piloting the dual two-way language program.  I have applied and have officially been hired to teach 2nd grade next year.  I will be partnering with another teacher and we will share two sets of students.  She will teach them in Spanish and I will instruct them in English.

Renewed Vision and Purpose

To some it may appear that I am taking a step backwards or that I am wasting my master’s degree.  However, being on an early childhood campus sometimes left me feeling I was missing out on what K-5 was doing.  Teaching is my passion.  I know that I am a leader and perhaps will pursue a leadership position in the future, but right now I just want to live out my passion.

I can tell you that I am not the same teacher that left the classroom three years ago.  I return with a renewed passion and with a clear vision and purpose.  My goal is to create a true 21st century learning experience for my students.  I want my classroom to inspire innovation, creativity and collaboration.

Time to Prepare

Soon after I learned that I would be teaching 2nd grade next year, I called on my teacher blogger PLN.  I have never taught using the Daily 5 framework so I asked them for help.  After many questions and answers, some books were recommended to help me get a handle on the whole Daily 5 and CAFE structure.

So guess what I have been doing every night before going to bed? You guessed it, reading and reading and reading!

books

daily 5 books

As the school year comes to an end, each day is a little more special because I know that I won’t be there next year.  I am leaving an amazing school filled with precious students and many teachers whom I consider friends.

If you follow my blog, you will begin to see a transition as I prepare for my new position.  I look forward to sharing with you my new classroom from the moment I first lay eyes on it and blogging about my journey and experience as a second grade dual language teacher.

My-New-Signature

 

 

 

 

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13 Comments

  • Reply
    Melanie
    May 10, 2014 at 11:23 pm

    Congrats Nancy! I look forward to reading about your experiences with the dual language program as well as the little ones!! 🙂

    • Reply
      Nancy Alvarez
      May 10, 2014 at 11:35 pm

      Thank you, I have so many ideas and plans in my head. I can’t wait to make them a reality.

  • Reply
    Kimberly Ruíz
    May 11, 2014 at 12:07 am

    Congratulations on your new position! It takes a strong and passionate person to do what they truly love despite the disapproval of some. I just discovered your blog and resources as I too will be returning to teach in a 1st grade Spanish immersion classroom next year and love your ideas and fun lessons integrated with technology. I am wondering if you think you will continue to create Spanish resources? I’m sure you will be super busy with your new position, but will be so sad if you don’t! You’re work is such a great resource in a very limited Spanish market.
    Thanks and again congrats 🙂

    Kimberly Ruíz

    • Reply
      Nancy Alvarez
      May 11, 2014 at 11:37 am

      Kimberly, I have been asking myself the same question. I want my students to be successful and have the best materials to use in BOTH languages. Creating materials in Spanish will be my way of “teaching” them on the days I am not able to be with them.

  • Reply
    Kelly A. Serrano
    May 11, 2014 at 12:15 am

    Congrats Nancy! You will do JUST GREAT.

    In regards to the book you are reading – I LOVE – LOVE – LOVE words their way. I currently have 3 spelling groups in my class and it can seem a bit chaotic at the beginning, but I just can no longer give a ‘one list fits all’ to all my students. I feel WTW can work amazingly well in a DL classroom. I could never go back to a 1-list.

    Testing time is crazy as I call on all the groups at once – team x word 1, team y word 1, team z word 1, then team x word 2, team y word 2, etc. The kids get it and love to be challenged.

    Best of luck!!!

    Kelly

    Ps. I love the Daily 5/CAFE books.

    • Reply
      Nancy Alvarez
      May 11, 2014 at 11:34 am

      I have not even considered that but that makes a lot of sense. I want all my students to be successful and it is logical to meet them where they are. Have you ever thought of using a Google form to create your spelling test? That may facilitate test delivery since you are giving three different tests.

  • Reply
    Yara
    May 11, 2014 at 2:18 am

    Hi Nancy! Congratulations on your new venture! Look forward to reading about your experiences! 🙂
    Yara

    • Reply
      Nancy Alvarez
      May 11, 2014 at 11:31 am

      Thank you, Yara.

  • Reply
    Pauline
    May 11, 2014 at 11:31 am

    Nancy, Congratulations on getting the job you want. AND following the desires of your heart is never taking a step backward. It is the beginning! How can leaving a piece of you with every student you touch be a backward step. May you have a great year and you will love Daily 5!

    Pauline at First Grade by the Sea

    • Reply
      Nancy Alvarez
      May 11, 2014 at 11:42 am

      Thank you Pauline for your words of encouragement. I have so much to learn but I feel very supported and I know you all won’t let me fail.

  • Reply
    Karen Crawford
    May 11, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    I teach second grade and next year I am taking on self-contained GT! YIKES! I would love to send you a CAFE from our store (Planet Happy Smiles) … your choice. Just pick the one you want and email me. I would also love to share with you during the year … maybe our classes can be buddies. I am in Texas! Have a terrific year! Hugs! Karen

  • Reply
    Karen Crawford
    May 11, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    I am so happy for you!!! I would love to send you one of our CAFE BBoard sets as a CONGRATS!!! Our store is http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Planet-Happy-Smiles
    Please take a look and email me with your choice. It would be fun to be classroom buddies! I will be teaching 2nd self-conatined GT in Texas. Teacher Hugs! Karen

    • Reply
      Nancy Alvarez
      May 12, 2014 at 12:52 am

      Thank you, I will take you up on that very soon!

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