All Your Questions Answered

Well, I guess I can give another update considering it’s MOVING DAY! The next chapter begins today! I wrote this blog to help answer a few questions that I’ve been asked over the last few weeks. I know many people don’t know much about teaching with the Department of Defense so here’s a few answers to the most common questions I get asked.

My movers were arranged by the DOD and I’m allotted two different shipments. My first shipment will be by plane and is the expedited shipment. This shipment will arrive about 60 days after it is packed, and I am allowed to pack 350 pounds of stuff. The second shipment will go by ship, and I’m allowed 18,000 pounds. This shipment can take quite a few months and is mainly for families who plan on staying long term or have all of their home belongings. I opted out of the second shipment because I don’t have much stuff, just mainly classroom stuff. I will also bring three checked bags onto my flight to have some of my classroom and personal stuff upon arrival.

Once I arrive, I will be staying in temporary housing for up to 90 days that is paid for. My amazing team has already set it all up for me and I’ll be staying in a nice apartment until I find my own. I’m hoping to stay in temporary housing for about 30 days and then find my own apartment. One incentive for teachers to move from the US to a base abroad is that they will pay for your housing and utilities. I have qualified for the housing incentive and will look for an apartment based on the amount I qualified for. Because I’m a civilian, I will not live on base but in one of the surrounding towns. I’m excited to see what the housing options will look like!

The DOD also gives me the opportunity to ship my own vehicle over. I have opted out of shipping my vehicle because there are certain German regulations that must be met, and my car is too old. By the time I got everything updated and paid the taxes on the shipment, it just wouldn’t be worth it. My hope is to buy a car shortly after I arrive. Many families are moving in and out of the base, so cars are rotated through families. Hopefully I’ll be able to buy a fairly inexpensive car within the first few months.

As far as school goes, I will be one of five first grade teachers with a class size ranging from 18-22. I have been in constant communication with my team, and they are absolutely amazing. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better team going into this first year. I will be starting after the students start school and my team has made sure to help prepare me as much as possible for this transition. They’ve sent me pictures and videos of my classroom, sent me lesson plans for the first few weeks, and answered so many questions. They are incredible and I couldn’t be more excited to be on a team with them!

As I prepare for this next chapter, I’m feeling very excited and a little nervous. I will have just about two and a half days to recover from jetlag, set up my classroom, and figure out what I’ll be teaching the first week. I know the first week will be very overwhelming and I’ll be in survival mode, but I’m thankful for the support I have at home and my team to help me get through it. I was getting a bit emotional this weekend thinking about how many people made a point to set up dinner or lunch with me to say goodbye. It was truly amazing to reflect on how loved I am. I couldn’t have a better support group cheering me on. I cannot wait to start this new chapter of life!

So, here’s to the next chapter! Stay tuned for an update once I get settled there!