This past week has been the roughest yet.
I confess that I had a breakdown towards the school week’s end, and I’m still not quite through it. I’m learning even more how lonely the teaching profession can be and how much of the burden is put on teachers to do what feels like everything.
I’m stressed and constantly anxious. When I try to take a break and rest at home on evenings and weekends, I can’t stop thinking about what I need to do next. Sometimes, I feel guilty taking a break, like I should still be working because someone is going to ask why I’m not doing more. I asked for more supplies for my students and was told that if I want anything else, I’d have to purchase them myself like it’s the norm for teachers to supply their own classrooms. (Don’t we see it all the time?) And I wonder . . . why is this the norm?
My district has issued new task items for teachers to do. Some make sense, like having data meetings to figure out high priority skills to reteach students and having teachers break down and brainstorm together what they plan to teach students. The problem is that we’re being made to do more without being given more time. I’m not paid enough either, but I don’t think I could be paid enough to do it all.
There’s a lot that teachers do behind the scenes: grade, call parents, monitor hallways, create content-rich walls, write curriculum, lesson plan, handle discipline issues in the classroom (there’s a process before referring students to administration), attend professional development, fundraise (because schools don’t provide everything, especially when working at a Title I school), and adjust lessons to each student’s learning level, tutor, take on other leadership roles like sponsoring a club, among other things.
Even just that has my heart pounding and my mind wondering how I can do it all, and I’m trying to do this while prepping for two classes I’ve never taught before (they changed my grade level). The answer: I can’t, and I’m repeatedly told that by more experienced teachers.
There are things to love about teaching. Just the other day, one of my recent graduates returned to check in with me and share what he’s been up to. I’ve also enjoyed being a club sponsor and learning how my presence can be a positive impact on students’ lives. Because in the end, they won’t remember what I taught them (a student confessed as much), but they’ll remember how I treated them and what they learned about themselves in my classroom (which is what that particular student took away from my class).
If you pray, please keep me and my students and other teachers in your prayers. I know from speaking with other teachers that the micromanaging and work stress isn’t limited to my school district.
Week in Puppy
Because we need puppies (and other things that make us smile) in our lives ☀️
When my family went out the other day, I realized that I’d forgotten an hair tie (my brother forgot his whole backpack). We went back in expecting Skylar to be waiting at the door, rejoicing that the humans decided to return. Instead, we found her lying on the king’s seat, aka. the armchair that she’s forever trying to squish into even though there’s a human already sitting on it and we already set the ottoman aside for her. For some reason, she thinks that whatever we use is better. Even if the ottoman has more space than the armchair for her to spread out on.
Note: my brother took a photo of Skylar gracing the king’s seat, but he has yet to send it to me. In the meantime, here’s an old photo that I took with my camera. The sound of the shutter scared her so much that she hid in the pool equipment shed. The quality isn’t that great since I’m an amateur, and I think I took this in sports mode since she ran around so much. It took some time to coax her out of there.
My Bookish-TV Life
Read
I found Circles in the Stream at Half Price Books. I remember a new friend loaning it to me in 6th grade and that I enjoyed it, so I bought it on impulse. Plus, I enjoy magical stories, and the new cover gave me Ever After High vibes. Sea Witch Rising is a book that I received for review. I’m happy that I managed to read one in the midst of the teaching craziness.
- Circles in the Stream (Avalon: Web of Magic #1) by Rachel Roberts
- Sea Witch Rising (Sea Witch #2) by Sarah Henning
Watched
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba [ongoing]
- American Ninja Warrior [ongoing]
- Master Chef Season 10 [ongoing]
- America’s Got Talent [ongoing]
Last Week on the Blog
This Week on the Blog
- Celia Perez, author of Strange Birds, shares 10 Bucket List Items she wants to do with her BFFs
- A review post TBD (am hopeful this will happen)
In the Blogosphere
I’m still trying to figure out a blogging schedule now that I’m back to school.
Chat with Me
What’s new with you this week in life and books?
Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts says
Oh no – sorry to hear you’ve had a rough week! You are doing amazing as a teacher with all the work you’re doing and I’m sure the kids and their parents are extremely grateful. Teachers get paid so little for the roles they step into and tasks they do. But I’m happy a student visited you! And you’re right – we don’t usually remember what’s taught, but we definitely remember the teacher! Sending good vibes to you for less stress.
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Sophia! Yes, it was a pleasant surprise to see my former student 🙂
ShootingStarsMag says
I know people that reach and it’s definitely tough. It shouldn’t be the norm that teachers buy so much of their supplies and things needed for the classroom. Teachers should get paid wayyy more than they do, especially if they are supposed to do all these “extra” things. I’ll be thinking of you, and I hope that the year gets better as things settle some more. Yay for a cute puppy though!!!
-Lauren
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Lauren! Yes, a cute puppy helps 🙂