You know it's time to start looking for a new job when

... your boss begins your "End-of-the-Year" meeting with, "I'm not going to fire you, but...."? Although I had already started looking for a new job, I am (as per the verbatim suggestion of my supervisor) "amping up my job search" here in Boise. Among other things I am, apparently, a "bully"- I know that many of you are probably laughing out loud right now trying to picture ME as a BULLY!!!

As most of you know, I have not been happy with the change in leadership this year. She and I don't see eye to eye on some pretty major issues. In the school this year we had one threat (by a 7th grader) to bring a gun to school, and in my class had one allegation of physical and verbal abuse and an instance (six months ongoing...) of "consensual" sexual activity between an 11 year old boy and an 8 year old girl in my class. I wasn't comfortable how any of the incidents were handled, but was told that "it is the difference between public school and private school". In any case, I am done with the craziness there. (Many of you remember my pathological liar student last year and the one in "equine therapy".). As much as I really enjoy many of my coworkers and think the educational program there has some real strengths, I can't continue to work for someone that I don't trust.

So far there are really no leads here on teaching jobs, but I hear that things often open up at the last minute so I am trying not to freak out. I am exploring all options- even those outside education. Being a stay-at-home mom is another option- although not one I think I would be particularly good at! But things happen for a reason and I am sure that reason will become apparent at some point down the line.