"I trust your judgment."

Three times--count it, three times-- someone said this to me last week. And it wasn't the same person either; three different people said these exact words to me during my first week at OHS.

"That is perfectly fine with me, Mrs. Pace. I trust your judgment."

"I trust your judgment; you just do what you think is best, and we'll go from there."

"I'm okay with it as long as you are. I trust your judgment as a Sped teacher because I really don't know that much about it."

     I don't know when I'll feel comfortable telling my new co-workers about my blog, but maybe someday when I do, these three people will come across this post, and I just want you to know how appreciative I was to hear these words in my first week at Oxford High.

It means more to me than I can tell you.

     I think there's a bit of a problem with education today. Well, I think there are many problems with it, but one of the major problems that affects teachers is that many of the new laws and procedures have slowly taken away a teacher's anonymity-- that is, a teacher's ability to make his or her own decisions based upon what she feels is best for the classroom and students. In addition to that, all I really knew during my first two years of teaching was the absence of my own anonymity. My decisions as a teacher were constantly questioned, to the point where I began to wonder what the hell I was doing.

     I can tell, through observation and chatting with other teachers at my new school, that that's not at all the case here, and it makes me so excited to get up and go to work each day. I'm not afraid of having to answer to anyone because I know it's likely that I won't have to but that I can and that my judgment will be trusted. I told my new principal at my interview, "If I'm doing something wrong, you've got to tell me. Please don't skirt around it and don't have someone else do the dirty work; come tell me and help me to make it better."

     A lack of communication on a teacher or principal's part is a setup for an abundance of problems later down the road; I know because I have seen it and personally experienced it. However, I don't at all anticipate having issues of that matter any longer. I'm not afraid of asking questions or going to one of my principals just to say hello and let them know how things are going.

I am really, truly happy here, guys. I hope to be a Charger next year!

A local business delivered treats yesterday! I had to indulge!

I'm LOVING my new job, but that doesn't mean I don't need my afternoon coffee now and then!

Come back tomorrow morning for a fitness update!