Amy M. Schaefer
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From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
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A Note From the Teach

9/16/2016

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Three weeks into a new school year, and I'm feeling this euphoric "tired" that I'd almost forgotten. I'm almost afraid to say out loud how much I love being back in a classroom because I never thought I'd have an experience like this again...and maybe if I put it to words, it will vanish like a great dream you don't want to wake up from. It is impossible to watch a group of students digging learning stuff and not get excited right along with them. These short humans are our future, cliche' as it may sound, and their ability to grow up in a nurturing environment, where they believe in themselves and grow a passion to set the world on fire is a magical experience.

The average person has absolutely zero clue the unbelievable work that goes into creating a positive learning experience. It's about like trying to staple jello to a tree that keeps moving! I have three ninety-minute sessions of "teaching" per day. That's the easiest part. What people don't know is the preparation, meetings ad nauseum, phone calls, paperwork, grading, logging grades, and a host of other things that get thrown randomly into the mix that happen on a daily basis. In the morning, I hit the ground running and I don't stop until...the work is done. Except, the work is never done. I take lesson plans with me to bed, working them out in my mind, or jotting ideas on post-it notes to expand on later. Meanwhile, my laundry has piled up to mini-mountains on my office floor, I don't remember the last time I vacuumed, and God knows I'd be eternally grateful for a toilet that would scrub itself as needed!

In spite of all the challenges, I cannot tell you how much I love my job. My ONLY regret is that my second career, i.e. my writing, has slowed to a snail's pace crawl. I would come to my laptop each evening, dear readers, and regale you with the madness of my day, but honestly, nobody wants to hear me talk "teacher" in my blogs all the time (although I did have a student ask me day before yesterday if I was married...might be the sweetest thing that's happened to me in a week). I promise I will find a way to incorporate my writing career into my teaching life, as I've gotten many side notes asking me where the "words" were! Thanks for not giving up on me! Once again, this chica is in search of "balance". Story of my life on a myriad of topics, I tell ya! I can't even tell you how much I adore all of you who are still with me!

Always,
A., Your Neighborhood TIRED Teach
1 Comment
Angela Miles
9/19/2016 11:27:56 am

I'm here to stay even if you write only one blog a month. I LOVE to read your words.

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    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

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  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery