Assignments

I'm headed into my third year in my district now, which is kind of a big deal for two reasons:

1. I'm tenured. Yes, you read that right. There's a two year probation period immediately after hiring, and, having passed that, I'm safe. This isn't too say I'll never be laid off, they can pink slip me just like anyone else, but firing me would be difficult given I have the California Teacher's Association (no small union) backing me up. This is particularly comforting knowing my boss has made it crystal clear that given a reason, he has no trouble letting people go. We lost a health care specialist last year who was just a week shy of finishing her probation, and apparently in the past, he let a nurse go just before she finished her two year probation period. (I was involved in the first incident, and totally supported his move, and while I wasn't involved in the second incident, it sounded justified.) I'm not perfect, nor is this any reason to slack off, but knowing my job is secure for the next year is no small potato in this economy.

2. Not to brag, but I have some clout. I've made a name for myself, and have stayed on the good side of the nursing coordinator and my boss, which means when it comes time for decision-making, I often get what I want, or at least a say in what I want. This year, I got what I asked for in my school assignments. I'll be keeping my same two elementary schools, which means one in the poorest section of town that I've been at for the past two years, and one in the nicer section, the one with my two diabetics. The two schools are across town from each other, but I decided I'd rather keep my diabetics - and my other elementary school - than have to train someone else on my diabetics and be worried about their care. At least when they're in my hands, I'll know how they're doing every day. The middle school I had for the past two years closed, so I'm taking on the one nearby. It, too, is in the "ghetto" of town, and prior to the other middle school's closing, the two schools were rivals. There was a lot of fuss, understandably, when the one school closed last year, with comments in the local online newspaper giving threats such as, "Bring your Kevlar," referring to the expected fights this year as two schools try to share one roof. It should be an interesting year at the middle school, with many unhappy people and staff trying to merge, and I'm hoping I won't regret my choice of schools.

The kids return on the 15th, and though I'm sure I'll miss these days soon, right now it feels like they can't get here soon enough. I am ready to see my babies again, and I'm tired of doing paperwork all day long without interruption.