SchutzForTheMoon: What am I good at?

Hampton Park Palace

All teachers need to have an after-school duty/activity that they lead or assist at least two afternoons per week until 5pm. I need to do this for two out of three trimesters. After looking at the list of opportunities when I first arrived, I chose to assist with middle school yoga and couldn’t wait for class to begin. Unfortunately, it never did. They didn’t need me after all.

So then I was tapped to lead Lower School Art Club. Yeah Right. They obviously haven’t seen my version of an art project. The parents would have rebelled in no time when kids started coming home with plates of glitter and yarn. I declined the invitation. So…I ended up without an activity to be a part of for the Fall Trimester. In the grand scheme of things, this worked out well because I have more time to figure out how life works here and juggle kid transportation at the end of the day.

But recently I started stressing again. What activity could I be a part of for the winter and spring trimesters? The activities secretary just emailed and asked if I’d coach cheerleading. Um, NO. It would be fun for about 15 minutes. I learned that from my short stint as a dance coach for EHS.

I proposed a study skills class for struggling learners in the middle school…but there really aren’t too many struggling learners so it was rejected.

As I sat brooding about the options, my co-worker posed the question, “What are you good at?” Huh. I was stumped. What am I good at? Really good at? I don’t sew. I’m not crafty. There’s no sport I’m knowledgeable enough to coach. Kind of depressing.

I came home and posed the question to Dave, “What am I good at?” Funny how I couldn’t think of anything and immediately he responded with “service.” Ding, ding, ding. Yes! I love to serve and volunteer. I love working with people. I love helping. And yes, I think I’m good at it. So…I reached out to the woman who runs the service trips and service learning department and low and behold she’s in need of some help! We met and hit it off right away. Deep exhale of relief and happiness.

I will take on the service learning component for the lower school (elementary), help with the K-12 service learning vision, and international student service learning conference held at TASIS this coming February. I am SO excited. I can do this. I’m good at it.

And finally, the flea update you’ve been waiting for: THE NEW CARPET IS IN!!! The fleas are dead and gone and we can sweep our kitchen floor now without finding cat hair everywhere! Life is good.