Ex-Chauncey teachers prep for new school

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Soon many kids across the Wabash Valley will head back to class and that means several teachers are prepping their classrooms.

For some teachers it's routine but for those who left Chauncey Rose Middle School after the school closed in June, it’s a new experience.

Julie Sitarski, a third grade teacher at Lost Creek Elementary was one of those teachers who left Chauncey Rose.

Mrs. Sitarski says moving to a new school means a new, never ending to-do list.

"My room looks ready I think but I still feel like I have a million things left to do,” said Mrs. Sitarski.

Getting a classroom squared away is something Mrs. Sitarski has done for over twenty years but she says that doesn’t matter, she still gets the jitters.

"I get as nervous on the first day of school as much as the students do because you meet all these new students and you have high expectations for them and you hope you can fulfill their needs during the school year,” said Mrs. Sitarski.

But Mrs. Sitarski says the 2012-2013 school year will be a little different, that’s because for the last six years, Mrs. Sitarski has taught at Chauncey Rose Middle School but now her old school is closed and she's at a new school like many others.

Mrs. Sitarski says the change didn't really hit her until recently.

"It really sunk in then, that it was closed and there won't be any students in there anymore. That made me feel really sad,” said Mrs. Sitarski.

But Mrs. Sitarski says that doesn't mean she won't be excited when she enters her new room on the first day of school.

"Where ever I've been and I've taught at several buildings and whatever grade level I've had, that's been my favorite at that time. So I’m sure this will be my favorite this year,” said Mrs. Sitarski.

Vigo County teachers will be officially back in the classroom next Monday, August 13th. Students will head back the following day, on August 14th.