14 Days and Counting
By DW Davis
@DWDavis (25797)
United States
May 19, 2017 6:50pm CST
If all goes as planned, I have only 14 student days remaining in my public education career. There will be a few work days after that, and then my 16 1/2 years as a state employee/teacher will come to an end.
The official end will be July 31. On August 1, I should become a teacher in the Diocesan school system and on August 7 will attend my first workday as a 4th grade teacher in my sons' alma mater.
I am both excited and a little nervous. Although I've taught all four core subjects, I've never taught them all in the same year, and I've never taught 4th graders. The good news is I will have a lot of help and support at the new school.
Have you ever made such a change in job after being so long with one employer?
24 people like this
25 responses
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
20 May 17
Congratulations on your new job.You will do well as you take up the challenge
I have been teaching for 25 years now at my college
What will the change in the educational system now?
Will it be the same exams?
3 people like this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
20 May 17
My new position is with a small, private, Catholic school. They use the IOWA tests annually to assess how well the students are learning. Other than 8th grade End of Grade tests preparatory to moving on to high school, there are no big end of year exams.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 May 17
I do not stay that long anywhere, but I do have a hard time changing. I absolutely love fourth graders, granted special needs fourth graders can be a challenge but I have sincerely enjoyed the classes they have been included in.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (122067)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
20 May 17
I did leave working as a driver for Domino's Pizza when Hurricane Katrina struck the Greater New Orleans area in 2005 to work as a caretaker for my late mother for four years.
2 people like this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
21 May 17
You are going right from the fat into the fire? RFLOL. I have changed an awful lot of jobs, some short and some `5 years or more, but my first teaching assignment was at a Catholic school, and all the rest were public schools. I have taught at least a little bit in every grade from first to the university, but 4th grade is hands down the easiest. You will love it.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
21 May 17
I am very familiar with this particular school and its staff. Both of my sons went there from Pre-K3 to 8th grade, which is the last year this school offers. I have known the Principal for over 20 years and we've been talking about me coming to work for her for the past several years. This year the timing was just right for both of us.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (52907)
• Mojave, California
20 May 17
Not really just quit, that is a life changer let me tell you. I think this is awesome if this is the direction you want to take. Still get paid and more happy. All I got was total dissatisfaction and no pay check. 
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (52907)
• Mojave, California
20 May 17
@DWDavis I hear your brother, I am single, do have my sister, but still not really harming anyone but me. That being said, awesome you feel good about this and at the end of the day all that matters. Glad you stuck with it because trust me, unless you are some kind of upper management. The private sector gets no pay, some really crappy pay. 400 dollars a week on average and that is California. Higher pay scale than most.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
20 May 17
When I was growing up my father was one who would just up and quit his job with nothing to go to in its place. It made for some very difficult times for our family. I always promised myself I would never do that. This year, though, there have been days when I nearly did.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
21 May 17
Oh I am late getting to this discussion DW.
I am excited too for you. Wow after all those long years, a new environment for you.
I know I believe you will be excellent in it.
And your sons both of them in that school is it?
Big congratulations on this DW.
Will you have time to finish your new book though?
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
21 May 17
@DWDavis I did not realize your sons were grown DW, I don't know why I thought they were younger.
Yes you may have to wait a bit for the finish of the book, thats okay.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
21 May 17
@TiarasOceanView I may be able to get my next book out this summer. It is with my editor now. I've got another manuscript I just finished the first draft of waiting for me to be ready for a second go. And last night I had an idea for another book and jotted down a page and a half of notes for the opening chapter.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
23 May 17
@shshiju The Republicans who now control the state legislature took over by running on a platform demonizing teachers for being the cause of all the state's economic woes because we wanted too much pay, too much money spent on the students for books and technology, and too much money spent on new schools to replace the crumbling, tumbling down buildings we were working in. 8 years of hearing that from your own government and in the press would demoralize anyone.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
20 May 17
But you continuing as an educator? Just not working for public school system?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 May 17
@DWDavis This describes how the children I work with are. We actually have lots of kids in our school on the autism spectrum, but our room has dealt with the most challenging, then there are the ID, or MR kids. Wherever kids come from, though, they need to be taught life skills at home so that teachers can do their jobs safely.
2 people like this
@atoz1to10 (6780)
• Australia
20 May 17
I am on the way of changing my job now, but not sure what...
Congratulation on your new job. Hope you will have a great time there...
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
21 May 17
I haven't but I think you will do a wonderful job! =)
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
14 Jun 17
I am so excited that you have joined the Diocesan team of teachers, it is a much different atmosphere and believe it or not, religion is expected and part of every day, can you believe it? My last grandson Jack is entering Kindergarten at St John Paul II after having been through their preschool this past year. All my other grandson's went to Catholic School as well. I was our parish secretary for 18 years and was on our school's school board for quite a few years.You will love it I am sure and be a wonderful addition to their staff.
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9218)
• Austin, Texas
21 May 17
Yes. And the change did me good. 
I don't really understand all the lyrics to this song. I just like the chorus part. This is one of my favorite Sheryl Crow songs just because of the chorus.
A change,
(A change would do you good)
Would do you good,
(A change would do you good)
I don't really understand all the lyrics to this song. I just like the chorus part. This is one of my favorite Sheryl Crow songs just because of the chorus.
A change,
(A change would do you good)
Would do you good,
(A change would do you good)
Sheryl Crow - A Change Would Do You Good - music video. A big "thank you" to UMG (Universal Music Group), for allowing this video to stay on this channel! Th...
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40020)
• Toccoa, Georgia
21 May 17
No, I have not. I do wish you well with the big Change. Is this new school you will be teaching in a private school?
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
21 May 17
I hope that you will love your new job
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11134)
• United Kingdom
21 May 17
It's sad for your current students, that they are losing a teacher with such compassion. But it does take its toll, so it's nice that your pre-retirement years will be less stressful. I wonder if you'll miss the challenge though.
1 person likes this
