So, I changed grade levels, now what?

As an educator,  you get certified  and don't really think about the ramifications of your certification until later on in your career.

I have taught for over 17 years and spent the most of my time in fourth grade.  So when I was asked to move to second grade,  I went into panic mode.  I was use to the older kids and I am not a woo, woo teacher.  All I could think about is I don't blow noses and have no intention of tying shoes.   However, my other concern was how to change my mindset in relation to providing instruction to kids at this developmental stage in their lives.  They aren't as independent as older learners and lack the attention span that I am used to having in my classroom.

So, what is a person to do?

Well first I cried, then I cried some more, and yet again some more.  After the tears,  I had to think about what it is I needed to do to get prepared for my new assignment.  So here is what I did.


1.  I delved into the curriculum.  I pulled state standards for Second grade and began to read, highlight and make notes.

2.  I made a point to grab all the TE for the grade level before leaving for the Summer that I would need to teach with in the new year.  I read the intros and first units over and over to ensure that I understand the learning targets and was able to provide quality activities for students to apply the skills from the unit toward.

3.   I made sure to meet and talk with the Second grade team before the year was over and exchange phone numbers.  We collaborated via email, phone and meet ups during the Summer.  They made my transition easier.

4.  I was informed I was moved because I held kids accountable to and to high standards so to not get rid of all of my personality and attitudes toward what to expect of kids.  So I made sure to remember if I modeled, informed and provided feedback that a 7 year old could do what I asked of them.

5.  I got a chance to get into my new classroom and get it organized


So just a heads up,  embrace the change.  Sometimes we get so comfortable in our current situation we don't grow, we don't keep up with the changes, and we don't realize we are so comfortable that we may be doing more damage then harm.  You know the old saying, " you keep doing the same things but hoping for different results."  Well as educators we need to evaluate ourselves every year.


1.  What have I done to grow as an educator?
2.   What PD is available to help me improve or learn more strategies to add to my toolkit?
3.  Am I too comfortable?
4.  How is each year different from the last?
5.  Am I keeping up with the changes in society and with the development of students as time changes?



I realize now that I am probably stuck and need a change to shake things up.  Yes,  I constantly read and find ways to continue to learn and grow via teacher organizations, social media groups, seminars and webinar offerings on line, but I am still in the same grade.  That one change 10 years ago from fifth to 2nd changed me as an educator.

I have been in fourth grade so long,  even being in a different state then I started.  I am comfortable.  I learn, add to my tool kit, but I wonder am I changing how I do things yearly or do I always fall back on to the familiar.


This year will be different.  I feel with all the changes that I will be able to see if all this self improvement and learning has enhanced my teaching style. I am motivated to step out of my box and explore and do things differently.  So with the new organization of our team for instructional purposes, the new goals and the new  systems that will be in place  I will truly grow as an educator and step into the unknown and out of fourth grade.


Where are you in your educational career?

How stuck are you in your teaching patterns?

What changes are you taking to do different, to be different than the previous year?

What professional tools are you studying this Summer?


As educators it is our job to continue to grow and learn.  It is our job to make sure that we are as motivated as we were the day we started teaching.  If not it is up to us as individuals to do something about t. So I don't know about you but i am ready to step out my comfort zone and try something new;  whether it be  a new grade, a new school or a new position or even a new subject area.  I need to come up with new engaging ways to stay motivated in order to motivate my students.


I can't motivate my kids if I am not motivated.  So I sit here thinking of ways to make things more engaging.

I am moving from self contained back to Language Arts/Reading.  I am constantly looking and reading on ways to make learning fun while meeting expectations.  This year is a wrap.  So what is your game plan for next year?

My game plan is more small group teaching, building a growth mindset, letting Data drive my  instructions, continuous  feedback and progress monitoring.

   How do I plan to do these things?   Stay tuned