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| at Two Writing Teachers! |
You craft amazing lessons. You love your students and inspire them to grow in incredible ways.
You learn from your colleagues and they learn from you. And you become friends with them!
You read teaching books. You read young-adult and children's books to share with your students. You blog. You tweet. You write for your students. And sometimes, you even read and write just for yourselves!
AND you have lives! You go on walks. You go on bike rides. You go on trips. You play with dogs. You take care of children. You exercise. You cook.
I assume that you also sleep at some point.
Just one question: HOW?
There are not enough hours in the day. Right now, I go to school when it's dark and come home 11 hours later, when it's getting dark again. Sometimes, I do more work when I get home. Then I go to bed. (A reasonable amount of sleep is non-negotiable for me. Maybe that's my problem?)
I know: I have 3 new preps in a new subject at a new school with a new age level. It will get better.
But I could use a dose of your super-ness. Any tips?
P.S. I wasn't even going to write this today but I just missed you all too much! And I missed writing so much it felt like my real self was blocked behind a glass wall.
ReplyDeleteGlad you wrote today! :-)
ReplyDeleteI can go on walks and bike rides because I am semi-retired. When I was your age, I kind of lived the life you are living. You are right, it does have something to do with creating the material for a new position and grade level. Hang on, it will get easier (maybe?).
Great question, Jenn. I want to know too! I read and follow the tweets of others and think "Oh my God. I'm so mediocre." It takes me forever to read a book. My blogging has seriously slacked off. My house looks like crap. So, I make a list of the important things I need to get done and put one step in front of the other and do what I can.
ReplyDeleteMy house is such a mess I almost forgot that cleaning is something people are supposed to do! Thanks Deb -- it's nice to know that sometimes you feel like I do!
DeleteI have often felt like less than good when I compare myself to others. I am not a super-teacher, but here's my advice for accepting your mere human ability:
ReplyDeletetell students it will take you longer than you think it will to return their work - you will both be pleased when you're "early"
take advantage of unexpected free time to do something totally frivolous
demand time each week for your own writing
repeat the mantra "Only the Beatles get 8 days a week; I must make due with 7"
then, go to sleep knowing you have done your mortal best
hahaha, love the Beatles thing! I will definitely remember that! And I can't wait to try out the "something totally frivolous" next time I get some free time! Thank you.
DeleteI feel encouraged just by reading your blog entry and the comments! There are other teachers whose houses are not in perfect order!!! Thank you all!!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Jaana! Sometimes all it takes to feel better is to know that others are struggling with the same things.
DeleteWhen I was younger, I thought I was busy. Now, with all of the requirements that we have and a teenager with her own activities, I know I'm busy. Somehow, I find time for myself, but it's a mystery.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this, I'm so busy and tired. It's good to hear it's not just me!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am right there with you. I was nodding through your whole post and feel better reading these responses. This was one of those weeks where I am thinking, "I love teaching but I can't do this forever. It's too exhausting to the point of being unhealthy." Ug!!!
ReplyDeleteTake a hot bath. That is my one treat at the end of a long day.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. My kitchen was completely trashed, but school work was getting done.
Eeee! It's the beginning of the year doldrums! I think we're all feeling it -- but remember this: you matter. The work you do each day, each hour, each minute -- it matters. It's okay to leave some work at school and take some time for YOU. You deserve an hour to yourself, a restful night of sleep, a night out for dinner. In the end, the paperwork will keep, and your students will still have you -- and that's what matters. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you, Jennifer, that you took the time to get some hugs back to you, from the slicers! I don't know how anyone does these things over & over, but they do. I fill up every day so full that I wonder at how it's going to work, but step by step it does. And-as one commenter said, I take that hot bath, or go for a walk. Even a half hour grabbed does me lots of good. As for the cleaning... (Always wishing you the best!)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm a superteacher, but after many years I've learned to keep all in balance. I spend 95% of my 8 hour work day teaching or planning. The other 5% I will give feedback/ grade. The planning makes the biggest difference. I mix social and work on the weekends or evenings by meeting with other teachers for dinner and such. Hang in there. I get those feelings too. Oh. And I have a monthly housecleaner to keep me sane. Kara
ReplyDelete