This week, Writer's Post has asked us to write a page from our brag book or something we'd like to share. My share session reminds me of the senior citizens who love to boast and brag over whose back aches the most or who has more problems. My post is something like that.
I've been a lousy blog hopper, I know, but life is hard with the day job. Did you know I leave for work every morning around 7:00 and don't get home until after 6:00? Plus, I take the work home with me so that if home commitments don't get in the way, I'll spend another hour doing more just to keep afloat. If I don't fall into bed by ten, I can barely function the next day, which isn't fair to kids who need a smiling face at school. Thank G-d for the week-ends where I can finally drop on a blog or two and maybe leave a post... but, not this one. "Silly Sunday" Erica is home from college, and I'd rather visit with her than you. No offense, but blog hopping takes time that I don't have. I'm doing well to post on mine.
Why is teaching so time consuming? To start, not only do I plan lessons, but I'm also a special education teacher who must write IEPs and conduct meetings with everyone on my case load. At 91, my student population is small compared to other years. During my planning time, often occupied with parent meetings, I'm trying to find the time to give achievement tests to two little guys. However, I can't slack off because I'm due for a "pop in" evaluation any day now. I've been keeping on my toes for the pop in since January, and the stress is killing me.
I'm thoroughly sick of the public criticizing us for not doing miracles with the young generation. These kids are working harder than I ever did at their age, and the curriculum is tough. Did you solve algebraic equations in third grade? Did you diagram complex sentences in fifth? In all fairness, my students are intellectually gifted, but still! I'm expected to show growth on their achievement tests even though most of them are starting out in the nineties. I pray no one sneezes during the test!
November 1, 2016. That's the day I'm eligible to retire, if we can afford it after paying college tuition for three kids. I think I'll take my slim retirement pay and supplement it by greeting Walmart shoppers. At least that way, I could leave the job at home and go back to having a life.
Meanwhile, I've eaten some of the stress and tacked on a few pounds and am fighting hot flashes, waking at night, and all the other messes associated with my awful age. See. Ha! I'm more miserable than you!
Thanks to all who visit my blog regularly, and I'm sorry I don't always return the favor. I wanted you to know why. I promise to post something lighter for Silly Sunday.
Why is teaching so time consuming? To start, not only do I plan lessons, but I'm also a special education teacher who must write IEPs and conduct meetings with everyone on my case load. At 91, my student population is small compared to other years. During my planning time, often occupied with parent meetings, I'm trying to find the time to give achievement tests to two little guys. However, I can't slack off because I'm due for a "pop in" evaluation any day now. I've been keeping on my toes for the pop in since January, and the stress is killing me.
November 1, 2016. That's the day I'm eligible to retire, if we can afford it after paying college tuition for three kids. I think I'll take my slim retirement pay and supplement it by greeting Walmart shoppers. At least that way, I could leave the job at home and go back to having a life.
Meanwhile, I've eaten some of the stress and tacked on a few pounds and am fighting hot flashes, waking at night, and all the other messes associated with my awful age. See. Ha! I'm more miserable than you! Thanks to all who visit my blog regularly, and I'm sorry I don't always return the favor. I wanted you to know why. I promise to post something lighter for Silly Sunday.
11 comments:
Our job is very important and you should be proud of doing it! I did like your post
I admire and appreciate all working teachers. I understand some are certainly better than others, but isn't that true in all professions? You are obviously one of the dedicated ones and your kids are lucky to have you. I do think the parents are always looking for someone to blame for disappointments in their children's development. Maybe it's just part of the job, an unfair and undeserved part. Sometimes the teachers are, in fact, a large part of the problem, but certainly not in most cases.
Hang in there, you only have a few years to go. ♥
Now I feel guilty, I'd use to picture you as this writing goddess living in her ivory tower :). I'm sorry you're having a hard time..Life sucks sometimes :( but I must applaud your optimism and hope.
Hello: Hotflash sister. No exactly how you're feeling.
If there is anyone that should be bragging, it should be you! Congratulations for doing one of the hardest things in the world. I commend you for your tenacity! Hang in there! You're doing great!
I certainly understand this post. Teaching is a time consuming career. A bumper sticker I saw once read "We're not in it for the income, we're in it for the outcome." Whew!
I detest waiting for those pop-ins that you know are coming any day and yet just take their good old time coming. As a former licensed child care provider I am familiar with that feeling. Good luck and I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job.
I definitely admire teachers. As much as I'd like to say I want to be one, I know I couldn't deal.
I think you have a lot of your plate!! I have two kids attempting to be education the public school system these days and the stakes are a lot higher. My 5th grader is doing algebra that I didn't even think about till 9th, and they expect my kindergarten kid to write stories and illustrate with pictures. Yikes!!
Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
I empathize completely. My mom was a teacher all her life...it wasn't until she went to graduate school and started to teach in college that she had more time for everything. I used to be a public servant too...now that I am out, I realized it is such a thankless job, although the fulfillment in being able to serve and help is unmeasurable. Stay healthy and keep that humor!
I can't even imagine what it must be like to live under that kind of stress. The only thing I can think of to say is that at least you have summers off. That must be really nice.
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