A Note From the Teach

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