Me? A math coach? ...You gotta be kiddin' me!

Hey y'all!

You read that correctly.  I'm now a district math coach.  Whaaaaatt??

I was in the classroom as an 8th grade math/Algebra 1 teacher for 6 years.  I had some CRAZY days when I would literally feel sick coming to work, and I had some of the best days of my life.  I mean, y'all!  8th graders are super funny!  During those 6 years, I also became a National Board Certified Teacher.  Becoming National Board Certified is equivalent to bungee jumping.  First, you're saying "YEA!!  This is going to be great!"  When you get right up to it, you're saying "Oh, no!  What have I gotten myself into?"  During the process, you just KNOW you're going to die.  Once it's over.... "ohhhh, it wasn't THAT bad."

...I just need y'all to know that I've never gone bungee jumping, so take that analogy with a grain of salt.

The job opening for my district's math curriculum coach opened, and I couldn't NOT apply for it.  I mean, y'all!  This is one of my dream jobs!  I've always wanted to help teachers in their craft.  One of my good friends helped me through the interview process and gave me practice questions.  I bought a new dress.  I even stressed about my hair because it was a HUGE, unmanageable fro (that's another conversation for another day)!

When I first got to the interview, I had to answer an in depth question about how to teach fractions.  Y'all, I have NEVER taught fractions in my life.  But I wrote nearly 2 pages about introducing fractions to 3rd graders.  I kinda wish I could go back and read it now.  Whew!

That same day, I got a call from my future boss.  ...And I missed it!  I freaked out before I even called her back.  Like, nearly screaming!  I called her back, and she didn't answer.  I was probably having heart palpitations.  She called back within 5 minutes and said "Cononiah, I just wanna know if you would like to come work with us in OAE (Office of Academic Education) as our math coach?"  In the highest pitched voice possible, I said "Oh my gosh, YESSS!"

...And it's been a rollercoaster ever since.  I'm in super learning mode with elementary standards, meeting all of our wonderful math teachers across the district, and constantly asking the question "So... what am I supposed to be doing?"

I work with some awesome people who don't belittle me because of my young age.  If you hadn't noticed, I'm a bit conscious about my age in this job, BUT I'm excited about broadening my view of math education!  I deeply miss my co-workers at my former school and my own personal classroom with MY students.

It's gonna be a wild ride.



Until next time,

-C. Watson