Texas Teachers and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Yesterday shall go down in history as a really bad day in our school district. I had just finished lunch and was in the office when one of our new teachers walked by. I was still in the office when she walked by again with tears in her eyes and I knew what was happening. Teachers were being told they would not have a job next year due to reduced state funding. So the above scenario happened numerous times in every school in my district. Then I had heart failure when I was told that the principal needed to see me. My heart was pounding out of my chest. I couldn't think; I couldn't see straight; I was scared..... My position was being eliminated, but I was told I had a job as a 2nd grade teacher. I taught 2nd grade before my Title 1 Math job. I loved teaching 2nd grade, but after being a classroom teacher for 24 years I didn't anticipate having to return after 6 years at my current job.

Our new teachers are amazing. I would very honestly say they are the best group of new teachers I have worked with.  It was indeed a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day for everyone at my school, but especially for those that lost their jobs.  

Judith Viorst wrote Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day. I read it to my 2nd graders and they wrote about their bad days.  I think a new version needs to be written with the names of Texas teachers that lose their jobs this year and include photos of the students affected, but that would take a very thick book, wouldn't it?