All done, California

After four years of teaching in California, we're packing up our things for another international move.  Michael and I are moving to Kazakhstan!  We're sad to be leaving California, our friends and our students.  But, at the same time, we're very excited to be moving on to a new adventure.   We'll be working for Quality Schools International, a network of international schools providing an American-style education in over 35 locations around the world.  We'll be teaching in Kazakhstan, at Almaty International School.   Michael will be teaching Social Studies and English to 12- and 13-year-olds, while I'll be teaching 1st grade!   It will be a huge change from high school, but I'm really looking forward to it. 

So, last Friday was the last day of school for us here in California, and it was hard to say goodbye to the people that I have come to love.  At the same time, I'm happy to think that my world of friends is about to expand.  Kids I don't even know now will be "my kids" by the end of the year.   And a city I've never seen before will be "home".  It's not the first time we've moved internationally.  I know there is a lot of work to do between now and then, a lot of surprises will come up and a whole bunch of new situations will be thrown at us.  But we'll also get to grow as professionals, learn a new culture, and see new places and meet new people.  Best of all, we get to go together!

So, all done California!  We've loved living here.  We've loved teaching here.  We've loved the landscapes, the people, the schools where we've worked.  We promise to come back and visit.