Spread the Word to End the Word

I am not sure why I have not posted this before now, but it is definitely important to me to get this up on the blog...

The "R-word: Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign works to raise awareness about the harmfulness of the use of the "r-word" (and other derogatory words).  I personally signed my pledge to remove the "r-word" from my everyday vocabulary over four years ago.  The word had become such a part of my everyday speech that I didn't even realize I was using it, nor did I understand the true harm it can create.

I know what people say, "it's just a word.  It only has meaning if you give it meaning."  Well, it may not have meaning to you, but it definitely has meaning to those you encounter on a daily basis.  You may be using it to tell someone how stupid the price tag on a tee shirt is...but to the girl behind the counter, who's brother is intellectually disabled, it is your way of saying that her brother doesn't matter or is inferior to other kids.

You don't know everyone's full story, you don't know their struggles, so please, please, please, do me a favor and think before you speak. You may not mean for your words to be hurtful or hateful, but they can still have that effect.

*For my information on the "R-word: Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign, go to my "Resources and Other Bloggers" tab to the right and click on the "Spread the Word to End the Word" link*

Tomorrow My Whole World Changes

Ladies and Gentlemen, the day has finally come! Tomorrow my husband, our two dogs (Charlie and Olly), and I will be packing up what is left in this little apartment to start our journey to Terrell, NC.  I am terrified, excited, happy, sad, nervous, thrilled, and every other contradiction of emotions you can possibly think of all at once... and here is why:

I was lucky enough to spend this past weekend with my entire family (and if you know me my family is pretty large, because we are not all blood--it's complicated) and everyone seemed to have their input on Joshua and my decision to move.  The top five comments included 1.Apparently Pennsylvania isn't good enough for you anymore.  2.You're young, go while you can before you have kids to prevent from you moving.  3.That's wonderful, now we will have a place to vacation. 4. You will love it down there! and 5. I give you a year before you come back.  Those were only the top five comments... it was a lot to take in to say the least.  Half of my family had me crying because they were so supportive and the other half had me crying because they had me thinking I had made a horrible decision.  The truth is, I am still not sure.  I don't have a job lined up so I am taking a big risk, but I don't have anything here in Erie holding my back either.  Of course I will miss my amazing friends and family, but as for teaching... there are no opportunities for me here.  I would rather take the risk than be stuck in a part time job, that I loath, in Northwestern, Pennsylvania!

I am good at teaching, and that is not meant to sound vain.  For the first time in my life I am truly good at something; something that makes me feel important, valuable, and accomplished.  If I stay here, however, I won't get to have that feeling.  I have a better chance, and better options, in North Carolina.  So... goodbye Erie, see ya later friends, and I will miss you family.

I hope you are ready NC, because this teacher is in full force and ready to make a difference in your school system!