A Letter To my District Coach (A follow up blog to The Burn out before the Burnout)

Dear Mrs. Decelle,

When I first started my teaching career I was surprised and taken aback that I would be receiving a coach/mentor for the first year of teaching. I was told by a friend and veteran teacher of 15 years that teaching was lone wolf type of job, when they entered the field they had to figure everything out on their own. I honestly did not know what to expect, as I was navigating the new programs, creating canvas pages in who knows what town (that happened) and figuring out the best way to teach, lesson plan, and my teaching style. I do have to say without your unwavering support, being my cheerleader, my guide I do not know if I could have continued teaching. You showed me that teaching is not a solitary sport, you would have my back along with the other 20 new teachers you were mentoring.

The district providing all new teachers a coach or a mentor is a great idea to retain teachers. However, you are the best, I knew I could call you at anytime to bounce ideas off of you, vent, and ask random questions. If I needed you in the classroom with me you were there, no questions asked. I know you had your hands full with 20 other new teachers but you always made me feel as I was the only one you were coaching, that I was important and that I could do this big job of educating children.

One piece of feedback though I would give to district and the schools is that all new teachers should have a coach for two years. One school year is not enough time to dig into the ins and outs of the education field. I feel as though you were my swim coach and I only learned how to tread water and do a breast stroke. If coaches were allowed to mentor and coach for at least two years, the new teachers would be champion swimmers, knowing the backstroke, breast stroke, and have the ability to dive off that high dive. Yes, there would be some questions and fears as the education field is ever changing, from lone wolf type of teaching to making teaching a collaborative career where we supp

ort each other like a pack.

Thank you for being a part of my pack. Thank you for having my back. Thank you for all the support. I cannot say it enough thank you, thank you and thank you!

Hopefully I can see you next year so

you can help me dive and your other teachers dive off that diving board.

Your are the best,

Lacia Kane