2003-2004 THE ONE WHERE I FINISHED MY M.ED. PROGRAM 2003-2004


THE ONE WHERE I FINISHED MY M.ED. PROGRAM 2003-2004:* Wichita Public Schools: Funston 2-5, White PreK-1 Library

2003-2004 School Year Photo

I was in my second year of my M.Ed. program and Funston and White Elementary Schools were now considered one building with one Administrator and an Assistant Principal. A lot of stressful things seemed to be added to my plate. 
We were told of a new fantastic opportunity for the staff of USD 259 called PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY.  I was already used to teaching my classes (one session a week) in isolation, now  I would have one day of my week dedicated to a rotating schedule so teachers could receive in house professional development. Every minute of the day would be used for this and on PD I would NOT have planning time.  Each grade level got a half day a month for PD. We specialists got a full day a month: building level and district level. Ours was on Tuesdays and meant that classroom teachers would not get planning time on Tuesdays unless it was their PD day. A Substitute teacher shortage soon  began when subs  learned that accepting a TU-TH job might mean you would not have a plan break.
I was told since Funston and White were now considered one building that the Library allocation would be increased to more than a full time position (common in larger schools). Another Librarian would have to come on to teach the classes at White and pick up some of my classes at Funston (since I was only working 4 days a week to finish up my Masters degree). Funston/White got extremely lucky when Gail Becker was named the additional Librarian. I honestly do know what I would have done without her as my “ +one”. She was incredible with lesson planning! She helped me prepare for the merging of the two Libraries. She helped me pack the entire White Library. If you are reading this Gail Becker. I appreciate everything you did for our schools, and me. Our Library at White was not ideal. It was a L shaped classroom that also housed a VERY loud Kindergarten class and Special Education pullout classroom. I’m not sure where Gail went after she left after the 2003-2004 school year? I was beyond excited though when she returned to USD 259 as the Director of Library Media Services. I worked under her leadership my last year or two in USD 259.


I was the only specialist that knew I was headed to the merged White Elementary School the fall of 2004l. My teammates (PE, Music and Art) would have to apply for the positions and go through the interview process if they wanted to work at White. Sadly this angered many of them  and they opted to go to other schools.
I finished my M.Ed. Seeing that I was close to Masters + 40 on the pay scale I opted to take two more graduate hours. My pay raise was going to be significant going from BA + 36 to M.Ed. + 40.  

My last semester in graduate school provided me with an opportunity to be a part of a district wide selection committee. I along with a few other tech savvy teachers and Administrators helped our district choose what type of electronic whiteboards our district would purchase. At the time I was one of a few Librarians that had a SMART Board. I used that SMART Board for several of my action research projects for my Masters degree. It was great to be a part of the selection committee. 


At the end of the 2004 School year it was hinted that the bond project at White Elementary would most likely not be finished for the start of the school year. We were told to prepare to be at both schools until January of 2005. Stay tuned for my next blog entry on 1/1/22 entitles THE ONE WHERE I GOT A HUGE PAY RAISE 2004-2005: Wichita Public Schools: Funston 2-5, White PreK-1 Library

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