Tooting my own horn!!

I don't remember if I posted about how I got off on the wrong foot with my new principal.  I almost extended my leave at the last minute when I thought I didn't have child care for Scarlett, and then got into our dream day care.  In any case, it has felt like a very hard uphill climb trying to earn the respect from my new principal.  She had nothing to know me by except the fact that I went against "protocol" just as my leave was coming to an end.

My evaluation is next week and I have felt like I have a lot to prove to her.  On the other hand, I do a lot of remarkable things at work with my students.  Today I found out that it has not gone unnoticed.

I was called into her office after lunch and asked to shut the door.  She started off by telling me that she understands that my evaluation is next week and to keep in mind that this conversation will have no bearing (spell?) on that.  I did not know what to expect.

Well, it turns out my efforts have not gone unnoticed.  She recognized how effective my teaching is and how I embrace technology, even when I am not comfortable with something new I just jump right on board.  I have been asked to pilot a new program next year where I will get to choose $6000 worth of technology to be used in my classroom ONLY.  My classroom will be a model classroom for my colleagues to come in and observe. She told me I really would not have to do anything more than I'm already doing, except that the technology will be at my fingertips.

When I decided to become a mom (and a choice mom at that), I was told by my former principal that my teaching would never be the same.  I disagree with him completely.  I am a much stronger and more compassionate teacher than I ever was before (and I thought I was strong before).  It's nice to know that I can do everything.  I can be a good parent and be proud of my work accomplishments...and I guess this is a pretty good start, seeing as I've only been back at work for 3 months.

Well, then I made the mistake (or maybe it was a good decision) of confiding in my principal of my intentions.  I am very private about my TTC and T42 journeys.  But I felt like I owed her the option of choosing someone else for this huge program (and a lot of money to be invested) in case I'd be going on mat leave part way through the year.  My parents said that it is not her business and that people take leaves all the time and no one can predict, but I thought a courtesy was in order.  My principal said that to rescind this offer would be a human rights issue.  She said that the program could always be transferred into another room if I were to go on leave and that she respects that I want to expand my family.  I told her that this was top secret and that no one on staff knows and that I no one on staff knew originally when I was trying the first time and only found out when I was 5 months along (after summer holidays).

I'm just kind of floating right now.  If my efforts were recognized, then I guess I don't have to be nervous about my upcoming evaluation, although I still have to do a good job.  Does it matter that I have no technology lessons planned for this evaluation?  I guess not!

On another note, for those of you still plowing through this very long blog, my parents are harping on me together now about T42.  My mom went on and on tonight about how they watched Scarlett for four days this week and they have watched her for a total of one month since she started daycare 3 months ago (4 sicknesses of one week at home each).  She said she doesn't like getting up early every day and I really need a bigger support team.

But then, as I'm leaving and remind them that they are doing daycare pick-up tomorrow, as they do every Friday, my mom said, "You mean you're not bringing Scarlett to us tomorrow?  I'm going to miss her!"

UGGGGHHHHHH!  There is just no winning!