During the last school year, I transitioned from being a middle school English and reading teacher to my current role as a literacy coach. My decision to do so was impulsive rather than calculated, as I was unhappy with my school's culture and climate and contemplated moving to another school or advancing to high school. I contacted a friend who had made a similar change a few years earlier to ask about her experience. She informed me that there were available positions at her school and that she had already spoken to her principal about me. Without much thought, I sent him an introduction email and my resume that same day. He responded promptly, asking if I could meet him the next morning. Not questioning my luck, I quickly replied yes, met with him the next morning, and accepted a literacy coaching position I had not applied for. Luckily, my meeting included the current literacy coach (Kim F), whom I would replace since her husband was being transferred. Kim F suggested to the principal that I should be the literacy coach.
I was equally excited about a change and terrified about entering a new role. Within a week of accepting the new position, Kim F invited me to sit on a Literacy Committee meeting. She wanted me to see the dynamics of the group since I would be taking it over. As soon as the meeting started, I was overwhelmed and worried I had made the wrong decision. High school was completely different from middle school, and I felt like an outsider. The teachers were different, and the conversations were about topics that I was not familiar with. They were discussing ways to get students more engaged with reading and literacy. One of the English teachers was very vocal about wanting to create opportunities for students to express or demonstrate original works. Another suggested a Poetry Slam, which I had no idea how to lead, and shared a clip from a documentary called "Louder Than a Bomb." I was so moved by the clip that I embarrassingly cried, as did half of us. The librarian rushed to grab some books to share with us. She brought back some books by Jason Reynolds and a few others but specifically chose a book she wanted to read to us. She read Poet X, and the words spoke to me.
Just a few verses in, my perspective had changed entirely. I was in the right place, and these were the people I wanted to work with. I related to Xiomara, not in experiences, but in personality and resiliency. Twin had gifted Xiomara a poetry journal, and it was the place where she wrote what she could not say. I felt connected to this character because, like her, I was the teenager who wrote my emotions and feelings in my journal instead of sharing them with the world. They were safer there because I did not have to worry about anyone else's reaction to them. They were secretly tucked away between the pages of my journal and only mine to judge.
After attending the meeting, I purchased and read the book in one sitting. Although it may seem silly, the book brought back my passion for teaching and uplifted my spirit. I was fortunate to be at the right place and time and welcomed new opportunities with open arms. This feeling has stayed with me throughout the course, and I was pleased to find Poet X as part of our curriculum. Despite facing some challenges this year, I hold on to the same feelings that led me to my new role and look forward to any and all opportunities that lie ahead.
