You tell yourself
That the things you need come slow
But inside you just don't know
Rob Thomas
October is hard. I don't know if it's the weather or the fact that the newness of school has worn off and the tests still seem so far away (and honestly, that's why our kids come to school), but the end of October and the beginning of November are hard. For me. For the kids.
I'm exhausted - mentally, physically, and spiritually.
The kids are restless and so am I.
Keep your fingers crossed and that we get some renewed energy - we need it.
2 comments:
Nine years in to teaching 9th grade English in public school, and I am having my best year ever. My classes are larger, I've taken on lunch detention duty, and my state just enacted (literally, yesterday) the most stringent state immigrant legislation in the country - threatening both the size as well as the emotional health and thus, mental ability of the ELL students I see the last two hours of the day. Hang in there and consider staying for five instead of two years. Dealing with impossible administration and jaded co-workers is a skill, and just as important in education as any lesson-planning, child-motivating technique you learn and develop. Let there be a part of you that thinks, "Exhausted in October? Okay, sure, but please - I regularly meet state mandates with two pieces of string and an old piece of gum (metaphorically speaking)." You can do this. Look what you've already done. And imagine how much you'll be able to do when some of the skills which still take incredible focus/planning/thought come almost without thinking.
I remember when No Child Left Behind came down the pike years ago, and (understandably) so many teachers around me were frustrated and worried. I thought, seemingly impossible standards with no extra funding that are designed to make us fail? Please! I get fifteen year olds to care about the style of their writing. I can tackle that backwards and in high heels. You've got what it takes. You'll most definitely get energized again and make it to December. I hope you make it to many more Decembers in a classroom.
Here's a quote that keeps me going:
Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.
Victor Hugo
I have a question. I am currently a college student and I want to major in secondary education and history. However, I am afraid to do so because I hear all the time that there isn't a need for history teachers. I live in NYC and I hear that they need teachers all the time. Is this true about, about history teacher not being needed?
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