You may have seen this on Facebook or other websites, but it TOTALLY explains my year! This has been my MOST difficult year of teaching. This is my ninth year and sometimes there are days I wish it was my last. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE teaching, creating lessons and activities, seeing children's faces when they have success, and having fun in my classroom; but I am being challenged over and over this year.
I know I am learning a lot about myself professionally and personally, but often times I feel defeated. Defeated in classroom management, student motivation, parent support or lack thereof, student behavior, etc.
Since I have started blogging it HAS helped me reflect in my classroom practices and teaching, and most importantly rejuvenated my LOVE for teaching. I read other blogs and get incredible ideas and lessons to use in my classroom, but then Monday morning comes around and our first bell hasn't even rung and I have already said "Stop Talking", "Get to Work", and/or "Sit Down" ten times each! It then continues over to checking homework and seeing the lack of parent support or a note asking about something that I have already addressed or is in the newsletter. I push through and try some of the great things I have seen in the blogging world and sometimes they work and sometimes they don't, but EVERY TIME I am glad I tried. I try because I care about what my students do, I try because I want to be the best teacher I can be, I enjoy watching my students learn, and most of all I want to see them successful.
To get me through this year I have relied on MY SURVIVAL KIT:
1. God. I am often praying to him through out the day. This one of my favorite songs.
2. My co-teacher and support teachers. They have picked up my slack, let me know I am not crazy, and that I am doing a good job.
| I don't have a pic of all of us, but this is close enough :) |
3. Mt. Dew.
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| Need an IV with this stuff. |
4. Chocolate.
| Looks so good! |
5. My Boys.
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| This was taken last summer on my parents farm. |
What helps get you through the day? Week? Year? What is in your Survival Kit?
Deep breaths and lots of chocolate!
ReplyDeleteLast year was my first year of teaching ever... and it was with to quote the principal/special ed teacher/and every other staff member "the class from heck!" I cried on my first day... and had many moments where I questioned whether I was truly meant to be a teacher.
ReplyDeleteMy survival was based off of leaning on the other staff members, talking to friends and family back home in Indiana, LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of prayer, and art. The one way I could through to my kiddos was doing art projects. I know that wasn't super helpful, but it's what a 2nd year teacher and one of your newer followers had to offer this morning. :)
I'll be praying that you have a good day too.
Miss Wilson
http://20somethingteachertales.blogspot.com/
Sometimes we are really tested, aren't we? I too, am very lucky to work with a great team. I was having a particularly rough day with behavior the other day and I'm going through the folders and one of the kiddos had made me a card that said "I just want to say thank you for the work you do for me and my classmates". It just melts all that bad stuff away and make it all worth it! :)
ReplyDeleteNotJustChild'sPlay
Oh Jess, you have no idea how glad I am to hear you say this. . . . not that I am glad that you are having a difficult year. . . . but I am glad to know that I am not alone! This year I have been tested in ways I never imagined possible, and have turned to total survival mode. I started blogging this year because I was having difficulty remembering just exactly why I was doing this job.
ReplyDeleteSo thanks for putting this out there, and please know that I am right there with ya!
Nikki
The Cozy Classroom
Whew girl, you know I feel ya. I really do. I am so sorry you have had a rough year, but just know that we ARE here to listen and support you! I looooove being in the blogging world for that very reason! :)
ReplyDeleteJivey
ideas by jivey
Haha I like "press #5"
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Ha ha, I love that image. I hadn't seen that before. I feel you though. My class is rough this year too and so many parents are non existant, at least for things that matter. Blogging has at least helped me feel not so alone! Also, going out with my teammates after work just to vent and socialize is fun. I get through the day with Dr. Pepper, but it used to be Mtn. Dew! I've been known to have candy hidden too...I'll never forget many years ago one of my kids was like what is that smell...it smells like Starburst! Lol. I was like I don't know...do your work!
ReplyDeleteJessica
Literacy Spark
Teaching has become so hard. It's changed over the 13 years I have been teaching. I never would have thought that I would want to quit, but over the last year or two I've caught myself thinking, I don't know if I can do this for the rest of my life. BUT, then I calm down and realize that I know this is what I'm meant to do, because I truly can't imagine doing anything else. It's just unfortunate we have so many "extras" to deal with beside just the teaching.
ReplyDeleteStacia would tell you that she is having an awful year. Her class if full of kids that are a MESS. Just today one of them stole candy and then was passing it out to his friends. That's just one of many issues from this one kid. She's had a very tough year. We get through it by leaning on each other and LOTS OF CHOCOLATE and Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans. And I prefer coffee!
Hang in there! This too shall pass...
Amanda
Collaboration Cuties
You know how I feel about this....I came across this quote today that might give us both a different perspective, "Sometimes God doesn't change your situation because he's trying to change you." Definitely has me thinking about some things....
ReplyDelete