Haven -- any updates on the Haven?

[zoebartlett]

Hi Haven,

I was thinking of you this morning while I was working on my classroom this morning. I found myself wondering how things are going for you. How are you feeling about making the big change now that the school year is approaching?

 

[Haven]

Aw, thanks for thinking of me, Zoe! When do you start school? Do you have your own classroom? That''s so nice if you do.

I''m still feeling really good about my decision. I would have started teaching back on August 12th, had I stayed, and I did get a lot of emails from colleagues and former students over the last two weeks. It is bittersweet, because I really do miss the kids, but I am so proud and confident in my decision to leave that I don''t feel sad about it at all.

As for work, I''m going to teach as an adjunct at a local community college, and at the university where I earned my second master''s. I''ve been teaching at the CC since 2004 or 2003, and I love it there. And I''m really looking forward to teaching aspiring reading specialists because I adore the program and the university. I''m very happy to be affiliated with both. I''m also still teaching in the gifted program at Northwestern, so I''ll actually be teaching about 17 hours a week this semester, which I''m really happy about.

As for the Haven, it is coming along very slowly. I feel like I''ve done everything I can do as far as planning and reading up on it, so now I need to take some ACTION. And that''s where I''m stuck. I''ve thought about renting out a sleepover camp for a weekend to host our first program, and I''m looking into options for that, now. At this point I''ve spent a decade dreaming and planning and reading and writing about this thing, now I need to just do it! I feel like renting out camps until I can afford to have a space of my own is a good option, especially since it will be a while since I can buy the actual land.

I''m so touched that you thought of me, Zoe. Thank you.
I can''t wait to hear about your school year--if you''re comfortable you should post pictures of your classroom. (I won''t be upset if you aren''t comfortable, though, so no pressure!)

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Haven, I''m so happy you got an update thread!

I am so excited for you...what an adventure!!

Keep us posted...we''re all interested!!!

 

[Tuckins1]

Haven, it sounds like you are doing well! I think teaching at the college level would be a lot of fun. (Not as much behavior/basic skills/ PARENT ISSUES to deal with ) Good luck to you!

 

[tlh]

Good luck to you! My friend teaches at the U. level and prefers it much better to when he taught younger kids.

 

[zoebartlett]

You''re welcome! It sounds like you''re keeping pretty busy these days! Best wishes. Today was our first day of school (yes I''m in my own primary classroom). It was a good day, although I''m very homesick. I don''t have any relationships yet with anyone, kids/parents, or co-workers, so it''s hard. I''m learning that there''s a lot of accountability down here, which I''m not used to. Overall though, things are good. I''m not sure if I want to post pictures of my classroom but I''ll let you know if I do.

I''m really glad that you took the risk and went after something you''re passionate about. It sounds like the right thing for you to do, and you''ll definitely learn a ton along the way!

 

[that_someone_special]

Soooo... have you thought about writing to Oprah? She loves funding things

do it

 

[Haven]

Thanks for your support, everyone!

College is a lot of fun to teach, I''m really happy that I can play a bigger role again.

Zoe--Have a great school year! This is such an exciting time, I love the beginning of the year.

Swedish Bean--I *wish* Oprah would take an interest in the Haven. Now she would be a great investor to have, wouldn''t she?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Haven - glad all is going great for you and that you found fresh new adventure in your teaching career!

 

[Haven]

Thanks, MC!

I''m hoping I can get my Haven started sooner rather than later so when it comes time for DH and I to have kids I can be a devoted stay-at-home mama like you! (Because we''ll be living at The Haven, of course!)