I love this movie and I think this was my favorite line. And... while my situation is very different than Reese Witherspoon's in this movie, I can relate.I don't know what it is about this year, but OMWord, I cannot seem to catch my breath. And it seems universal. I have talked to friends in Michigan, North Carolina, and my step sister in Minnesota and they are feeling it. So much pressure, so much push, so much stress and we aren't even a month in yet! Why? I have the best class of my career (15 kids! That DOES NOT HAPPEN!), I adore them and their families, but still I want to cry almost all the time.
For me right now, I think I am torn between two philosophies. I am in love with Project Based Learning. My district is really excited about it, gave out grants to write lessons and well... do them. I spent my whole summer immersed and obsessed with PBL. But as excited as I am, and as prepared as I thought I was... I am feeling like I am riding two horses with one ass (albeit a pretty large ass). While we are moving ahead in philosophy, our grading standards and testing are the same. And well, they don't really feel like they fit. We are finally completing our first big project, but we have already "tested" our students on the unit....last week. So while I am working hard to help students direct their own learning, I know what they have to know on the test (which their GRADE depends on) so I am feeding them information on the side...like having a foot in two different philosophies and being pulled apart. Not everyone is doing PBL at this point, so I understand the test but it still doesn't make it feel better... at least yet.
I know that my district is expecting some growing pains, but I feel like I could break into hives at any time.
So I could use some advice from those of you who have been there and done that... please!
I am three years from retirement and I honestly can't wait. Our government and administration are talking out of both sides of their mouths. Add on the amounts of behaviors we face in the class every year and the job I love is not there anymore!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me literally want to cry! Praying that things ease up and you can enjoy your last few years! :(
DeleteFeeling your pain from Texas. "Sucking the life out of me" were the exact words that I used just yesterday. Here it is Saturday morning and my house is a mess, but all I can think about is school! I am beyond overwhelmed. This is my 23rd year of teaching and I shouldn't be this stressed. So I will leave the piles of dirty clothes and head up to my school. I'm not enjoying this anymore:(
ReplyDeleteI am in Texas too. I feel you. My house looks like it has been ransacked by robbers half the time. I would probably be up at work if it were open this weekend, so I am thankful it is not! I am so sorry you are feeling this too. :(
DeleteHeidi
Thank you for writing this post - I have been feeling the same way lately. I am actually a fairly new teacher, but already it seems like each year we see more problems than solutions. Between kids that need extra help, but aren't receiving it and requirements that don't match the reality, this job can definitely be overwhelming at times.
ReplyDeleteHope everything gets better soon!
Love to Learn
I'm in TX, too, and we are "transforming" to PBL this year, too. We started our first unit the 1st freaking day of school (albeit a non-TEKS unit), and we are expected to do one each 9 weeks. We are actually getting a full day off to plan our first "real" unit on Oct. 4th, which I can thank our principal for. Unfortunately, our cluelessness about PBL is only half of what's killing us right now. There are so many added expectations from the district every year. We are all exhausted, overwhelmed, and on the verge of tears at any given time. Hang in there. You're not alone! :/
ReplyDelete-Gayla
Teach On.