Living in Spain has been great, but part of me has missed being in a school and sharing my passion. I knew I lucked out in Sasebo when I got to work for two years as an Elementary School Librarian. Moving to Spain, I knew my chances of getting lucky twice in a row were very slim.
But what I wasn't expecting was to make good friends with the librarian at DGF Elementary. Lauren and I met through a mutual teacher-friend at Darby, and she was one of the first people in Rota I got to meet! Lauren has been in Rota for six years; her and her husband both work for DoDEA, so she's been invaluable with getting my foot in the door here in Spain.
I submitted my substitute teacher application back in April 2023 knowing we were coming to Spain. In August, I called both the elementary school and the middle-high school inquiring about sub-hiring without any luck.
Then in October, I got a phone interview with the middle-high school assistant principal. After 15 minutes on the phone, he offered me a position and said he would have HR send me the paperwork.
From November through February, I went back and forth with the disorganized DoDEA HR office...long story short, while I was waiting for the middle-high paperwork, the elementary school accepted me as a sub and their paperwork was forwarded to me first. Upon completing the mountain of paperwork I somehow ended up on the elementary sub list instead!
I'll take it as a sign from God: I'm headed back to elementary!
Since February 12, I have enjoyed most days inside the walls of DGF Elementary School! I have subbed in classrooms across all levels: from Sure Start (preschool) to 5th grade, and I am truly loving it.
But in the back of my mind, I really do miss being in the library. My heart will always be with the books, but through substitute teaching I have had the chance to share my love of reading with students in a smaller way. For now, visiting Lauren's library at DGF will have to do.
And my favorite sub days are when we have library time! Just look at how cute Lauren's library is! She's my kind of librarian for sure!
To bring it all full circle, I also got to spend one Friday in the art room! Bringing out my inner Cindy Kimble, I had 1st through 5th grades creating monsters out of scrap paper, and I have to admit, this was probably my favorite day so far!
Being in the art room reminds me of my first "teaching" opportunities alongside my mom in her art room. She's retired now and enjoying her second career at Wayne County Public Library (talk about influencing each other!) but it's crazy to think I'm in the educational field all because of my mama!
Most weeks I'm at DGF three to four days a week, so they are keeping me busy! On the few days I don't get a call, I am enjoying the time on the beach reading my book or prepping the grill for dinner in the yard when Bryan gets home!
The dogs aren't as excited about me going back to work, but they do enjoy nice long walks on the beach!
Here's to more time overseas and still working in education! While my career looks nothing like I imagined, I am happy to say I get to do something that puts a smile on my face while still allowing me to take the time to travel the world alongside my better half!
Cheers to sacrifices and positive attitudes,
--Katie
I'm so glad to hear you are back in a school! And I love that library! Especially her rainbow wall of books. I'm assuming those are just printed covers so the students can check out the actual books. Maybe I need to work on that for my windows next year.