Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Breaking up is hard to do, even when it is your choice, even when

you know it is coming, and particularly when it is a prolonged breakup. Maria and I have accepted a job position at another school site. It is going to be a wonderful change and I know the school and class will be great. Still, joining one site and starting one class, means that we will have to leave another site and say goodbye to a group of kids that have stolen our hearts. 

This break up isn't easy! 

We were hired by the new site on September 20th. We told our kids on the 28th. We were ready to go. We packed up some of our classroom, we took things to the new site, we worked for hours upon hours after school getting the new classroom ready (it is almost there).  Then we had to wait. They needed to find someone who would take our class before they would release us to the new site. Understandable I guess, but it was hard to deal with particularly after one of the students this week told me that he had cried when I lied to him. I asked him what he meant and he said when we said we were leaving. I swear you could hear a pin drop when I told them that we hadn't lied, we were moving, but that they had to find a new teacher for the class. 

This is an AMAZING group of kids and it breaks my heart that we will have to say goodbye. I feel conflicted and torn by this. I want to go to the new site, I want this new adventure. I can't wait for it to all begin but..still, there is a part of me that is so sad that we will have to say goodbye so soon. You see, we found out on Friday that they have a teacher for the class. It is a friend of mine.  I am so happy for her and for the kids. It is going to a great year for them so I don't need to worry about them. But...still, I will. I can't help it. They are a part of my heart now, they always will be. That happens with every student, every year. It doesn't matter that I have only known these kids, "my kids," for 7 weeks. It doesn't matter that they will be in great hands. It hurts to say goodbye. Yes, I know it is my choice and yes, I know, this new job is one I really want. Still, Monday is going to be hard. Seeing their faces come into a stripped down room, seeing them realize they are losing us, that we are losing them, is going to be gut-wrenching. Yes, I know that they will get to meet their new teacher and that she is excited to meet them. Yes, I know that this is a good thing for her and for them too. Yet..., leaving the room I have had for 9 years and the kids I have had for 7 weeks means that Monday is going to be a hard day. One I am both looking forward to as it is a step towards my new job and dreading as it is a goodbye to this amazing group of kids. 

I know it is going to work out. I know that it is all for the best. I know that I will be happier once the dust has settled. Still, breaking up is hard to do. 

I would love to hear about a time that was difficult for you during your teaching career and how you overcame the difficulty. Please share below.