I just accepted a math TOSA position (grades 5–8) with the Rio School District.
I’d spent the last 30 years in the classroom — my school as my second home, my colleagues as my family, my work as my life and identity. But most of all, my students as my children, my babies, my heart.
Then I thought about not having to grade papers and not having to write sub plans when I’m deathly ill.
Hell, yeah, I wanna be a TOSA.
Other stuff I will not miss about teaching:
Having that patented nightmare, always the week before school starts
Finding my lunch in the microwave at 3:00 PM because I’d forgotten about it
Ignoring and hanging up on all nature calls
Feeling guilty on the weekend for not preparing Monday’s lesson
Feeling guilty on all weeknights for not working on the next day’s lesson
Hearing students return from an absence asking, “Did you do anything? Did I miss anything?”
Hearing students ask, the day before the grading period ends — even though it’s a widely-known forbidden question — “Is there any extra credit?”
Pretending to laugh at their stale jokes
Lying to them that I missed them over winter break
Dreading to open that one parent’s email
Having to choose between sleep or exercise because God gave teachers fewer hours
I’m excited to embark on this ambitious assignment. I hope to support teachers by meeting them where they are — and if they’re always at happy hour, I’m willing to work with that. I’m in this to listen to their concerns and ideas, and will try my best to refrain from uttering nobody cares. It’s imperative we build our relationships on trust and respect — and bonus points if they cheer for my #GoDucks too.
I look forward to a co-teaching model that honors students’ contributions and their right to the best versions of us, if not the best education. I will remind us about self-care.
Many thanks already to Jeff Linder and Andrew Stadel for answering more questions about math coaching than I knew to ask.
Let’s have a fantastic year of learning and supporting each other — all while cheering on one team: STUDENTS.