Teaching Again

I got an email from my friend and now retired teacher. It was a response to one that I had sent asking for advice and lamenting over how much work this year has been. Having taught the same things I did before retiring last year, she commented, “From the first day of school to the last I did little else but schoolwork.”

So, that is not terribly encouraging to hear, but a reality nonetheless. It has been a huge struggle (and will continue to be one) to stay ahead in all my classes. I am constantly reviewing, in cases re-learning in others LEARNING three different subjects, planning for the upcoming week, the current week, the next day and on top of that, incorporating all the elements of good instruction: differentiation for the many skill/talent levels in each classroom, classroom management that contributes to a healthy and academic learning environment, listening to the students as much as I speak to them and so on. Of course, I cannot do it all everyday, and that’s okay, but that is also when I feel like I’m not succeeding. As Su said, it is at least “good brain stimulation”. That it is.

I do have good students though – for the most part, willing to listen and give me a shot as I try to teach American History, AP Government and Economics; for that I am grateful.

I am frequently exhausted, but not tired. I am overwhelmed, but not defeated. I am struggling every single day with 100s of decisions and scenarios but not without many successes mixed in with the failures. I am a teacher again.