From IHE in NM to SOU in OR: Major Geograhic and Professional Transitions



Lucy and I in the snow.

 There's quite a story about how I came to be at SOU in OR, but let's leave it at this: My move here was instigated by a vat of butter, a Native elder, and a worn out road atlas. On moving day, it decided to snow which is a rare occasion in southern NM. It seemed like NM was giving me a light kick-in-the-pants, saying, "Get outta here, kid. It's time to move on up the road." So, once again, with my Toyota Echo packed to the gills, my family and I went waaaaaaay up the road. As soon as we arrived to Klamath Falls, the sky opened up and dumped out about 5 feet of snow.  My desert dog, Lucy, could walk right over the 5 foot fence in our yard and head out for a night on the town.  Lucy, I don’t think we’re in New Mexico anymore.

I started my work for SOU mid-year. But in the morning, I taught at an Oregon elementary school in Klamath Falls. I was adjusting to a new state, a new elementary school, and a new position as a university supervisor. I spent so much time in my classroom on evenings and weekends that I’d have pizza delivered directly to the school. I only lived three blocks away, but I couldn’t talk myself into leaving until the job was finished or until my brain was too fried to carry on. This was supposed to be a half-time position. My partner and dog would come to visit and stay to help. They have always been tremendously supportive of my teaching crusade.

I know there are MANY teachers out there who put in countless, unpaid hours in order to be amazing professionals. I also know that there are teachers out there who need to step up their teaching game. It pains me to see how teachers are lumped into one category and put under such aggressive scrutiny in the media. I just don’t see how this degradation is going to inspire teachers to go the extra mile for their students.  Perhaps teachers need to be given the opportunity to reignite their passion for teaching. This can be exhausting work, so professional rejuvenation is critical. Is it rejuvenating to continually hear messages in the media that are unsupportive of teachers? I know this topic will be revisited…

In the afternoon, I drove from school to school to support and guide student teachers in the field. I can’t recall exactly how I felt as I transitioned from teaching elementary students to teaching graduate students. I can remember feelings of insecurity, some fear, and a dash of excitement. I often hear student teachers say that they feel like they’re “faking it” when they start teaching. I suppose I can relate to that statement.

It wasn't until the next school year that we moved to Talent, OR and I started teaching and supervising full time for the special education graduate program. In the next two years, I taught a huge variety of courses (behavior management, assessment, reading, math, special education law, characteristics of exceptionalities, human relations, inclusion strategies, etc.). For my third year, I am teaching and supervising for the MAT and elementary education undergraduate programs. I am able to concentrate my efforts on inclusion strategies and literacy with an occasional special education class.

It’s my intention that this blog will focus on my current teaching experience, but I’m moving forward knowing that I will write about whatever needs attention. Whoooo knows what that may be. I do know that I’m itchin’ to write about my students…