I guess more accurately, there are now four, but if you really think about the kind of teacher KIS is, there is justification in my stance that 4th grade is now three teachers strong. As some of you may know, recently we did interviews to find an extra 4th grade teacher. In the three years I will have taught 4th grade, I have lost three teammates. My first year in 4th there were 4 of us in all, and the only one left from that first year is KIS. Yeah, so I basically had no team left. It is KIS.
There is the issue of those who left. Two out of the three still teach, just at other schools. One of them was my mentor, and she still teaches 4th, and in the same district, so we still talk to one another. We collaborate on things. The third member just recently went back to grad school, and we still talk from time to time. I am sure she will come volunteer at the school this year...
And then, looking to this August, there will be three and then KIS. I don't really know much about the new teacher other than she is transferring from a different district, and that she apparently is a workaholic. She seemed energetic and friendly in the interview, so hopes spring eternal. She has experience in 2nd and 3rd (I taught 2nd before, and my other teammate is moving up from 3rd) so she will know where the kids are coming from. My other teammate, as I have mentioned already, is a teacher already from our school, who is looping up with his kids. He is already my buddy, so I foresee that going well. He works hard and has high standards for his kids. He is very thoughtful and considerate. He is somewhat of a firecracker, and in staff meetings, he is very vocal, to say the least. We do crack jokes and hang out already, so that will be ok.
I am interested to see how this all plays out. Will our teaching styles mesh? Is the new teacher going to try to take on the hot scorching mess that is KIS? Will this really be KIS' last year (I have heard rumors that it is, but I can never get too excited). How will we all interact with one another? What "team" will we be? The one that gets along with everyone, the overachievers, the ones who stab each other in the back (well, maybe not 3 of us...not even KIS, she is too indifferent to us to do that)? I wonder what my role will be this year. I have worn different hats in the past few years, from math adviser, to snack provider, to source of amusement, consultant, dissenter, child whisperer, resident rapper, technology guru, etc, etc. People keep looking at me. To do things. It is kinda scary. And to add to the excitement, let's add a new principal. Oh, I can't wait.....