A little background information: My job is temporary. I'm filling in for someone on medical leave. He has taught at this school his entire career, went to high school there (as did his wife and entire family), and his grandchildren now attend. He was the department chair and taught AP.
The now-most-senior teacher in our department stepped up to do AP and also took his other classes. I'm now teaching her classes. We're both experiencing the pressure of teaching classes we've never taught before. I've taught junior English but only one semester and in a totally different scenario. I'm somewhat familiar with their content but I have 6 foreign exchange students in one class and approx. 6 IEP students in another. Hello differentiation.
Anyway, we've both had a trip to Meltdown City this week...and it's only Wednesday! Fortunately for me, mine happened at home.
I'm very thankful for the third teacher in our department who is cool as a cucumber. I'm thankful for very understanding neighboring teachers. I'm thankful for my sister who offered her house for respite, as it's much closer to the school than my house.
I'm SO thankful for my fiance who has listened to me whine and cry for coming up on three weeks, all long-distance.
If you're a new teacher or an experienced teacher, I just want you to know...we understand!
Hang in there. Each day is a new day. Kids seem to like it when you change things up, so if a plan doesn't work, try a different one. It's exhausting but worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment