Ava's Big School Change

Chapter 1

I don't want to bring up the idea of change, but I'll suck it up and do it, anyway.  Change can be very difficult to deal with, whether it's gaining independence, getting rid of old habits, or moving to a new house.  I know it isn't easy to handle, but life isn't easy.  Trust me, I've been there with teaching, and I would like to share my story.  So if you're not going to read this story, you might as well read something else that's more positive.  But if you're interested, be prepared to get with the program and listen to what I have to tell.

My name is Ava O'Cyan.  I'm twenty-four years old.  I live with my family of squirrels in Pineapple Woods County.  I have my mom, Paula, and my dad, Kyle.  I'm also the middle child of two other siblings: Logan, who's a year older than I am, and Kaylee, who's twenty-one and a college senior.

I have been a kindergarten teacher for almost two years at Pineapple Woods Magnet Elementary.  I've really enjoyed my job there, and it was in one of the best locations in the county.  The school was well-maintained with its staff members, and a majority of my class has been very cooperative.  There were a few behavioral challenges, but everything was taken care of most of the time.  I was so proud to teach kindergarten. 

But I was about to face something I will never forget.  One spring Thursday, when my students were at specials and I was on break, my phone buzzed on my desk.  I picked it up and answered right away.  "Hello?"

"Hello, this is the assistant principal from Giantside High School," a female voice said on the phone.  "Are you Ava O'Cyan?"

"Y-yes, I am," I answered.

"I'm really sorry to call you at a bad time," said the assistant principal.  "It's just that..."

"No, no, no, you're fine," I said.  "I'm not busy right now, so go on."

"Right," the assistant principal said.  "Anyway, one of our teachers has just resigned from teaching her classes, and no one else has agreed to fill in for her.   We need someone immediately.  Would you like to help us until we find someone else who is likely interested?"

That's when those words hit me.  I didn't expect to receive a call about subbing for a high school teacher who just quit her job.  I didn't want to give up my kindergarten class to teach teenagers.  And don't get me wrong, but I loved working with small children.

On one hand, I thought for a moment that if I transferred to Giantside High, what was going to happen to my kindergarten students?  But on the other hand, Pineapple Woods Magnet Elementary was well-organized, so there was a possible alternative for the students and teachers.

"Well..." I said hesitantly, "I would like to do it.  My school has alternatives for my students, so they probably wouldn't mind."

"GREAT!" the assistant principal exclaimed.  "Thank you so much!  We are really looking forward to having you!  If you can, we would like you to start on Monday."

"Y-y-yeah, I can do that," I said, feeling anxious but confident.

"Okay," said the assistant principal.  "So basically, you'll be teaching a few classes with students who have trouble learning.  Most of the students will be with you for all periods.  You think you can handle it?"

"Sure, I-I can do that." 

"Thank you, Ms. O'Cyan!  This means a lot to us!  We'll see you on Monday!"  And the assistant principal hung up.

It was going to be official.  I was going to continue my teaching career at Giantside High School next week. 

That evening at home, I told my family the news.

"Wow, that's crazy sis!" said Logan.  "You're gonna be dealing with the big kids!"

"Well, I can't lie about that," I said.  "I'm feeling kind of nervous right now.  I mean, I'll be leaving what I have been enjoying for almost two years."

Kaylee patted my shoulder and said, "Don't worry so much about it, Ava.  You should be fine."

"Yeah...I hope so," I said, staring at the floor.

"Guys," my mom called, "dinner is ready!"

Logan, Kaylee, and I headed into the dining room and joined our parents.

"This is going to be a big change for you, Ava," my mom said, passing the meat loaf to my dad.  "I already can't believe it's already happening to you."

"Of course it is, honey," my dad agreed.  "Our own daughter will be teaching teenagers now."

"Hey!" Kaylee snapped.  "Ava's not the only daughter you guys have!"

"We already know that, Kaylee," my mom said.

"Well, Ava, it's probably not going to be easy for you," my dad warned.  "You're going to face, like, fifteen-, sixteen-, seventeen-, eighteen-year-old kids.  And you're only twenty-four."

My mom put a hand on my dad's shoulder and said, "Dear, I'm sure she'll be okay.  She'll be confident to work with older kids."  Then she turned her head toward me.  "Right, Ava."

"Yeah, I should be fine," I said, trying to fake a smile.  "I just hope I am."

"Of course you will be," Logan said.

I turned to face my big brother.  "Thanks, big bro."

We all continued to eat our dinner and have our normal conversations as usual.

That night, when I hopped into bed, I still felt nervous about teaching at Giantside High.  It was going to be a huge change for me, but I tried not to think about it too much.  I just wanted to fall asleep, and that's what I did.