@ebloom3 Hey, look on the bright side...at least you have a window! I'm about to bash my head against these cinder block walls (like, seriously, what dummy decided to put all of the science classrooms in the interior of the building with NO WINDOWS?!).
I've been on the struggle bus since we got back from break last week. The heat isn't working in my classroom, so it's cold. The kids are SUPER unmotivated right now, so it's pulling teeth to do anything. My admin team is randomly power tripping and generally making the entire staff miserable. I have like 5 labs in a row to do for my AP kids, and the prep for that is just draining all of my time and energy. Bah. I'm so relieved but terrified to have a date for my RCS (if I don't have a VBAC before that), because it gives me a concrete end date. But seriously. This year has been probably the most depressing and stressful of my career.
@SnarkasaurusRex Most of our building doesn't have windows, either! I am lucky to have a window, but my husband, who is the science dept. chair, has very few windows in his classrooms. I think our heat is working, but my vent is blowing cold air. If one more person tells me to be grateful that it's cold because I am pregnant, so I will be hot, I might scream.
I wouldn't say this year has been my worst, but it's been tough. Lots of changes and new technology that the kids don't want to learn. My AP classes are a bright spot because the kids are awesome, but 9th grade is driving me crazy!
@ebloom3 Yes. Yes to all of that. I am so unmotivated. Our term ends next Friday and my HS kids had a huge project due last week and are now in the process of presenting. Multiple kids just didn't turn in a project but expect to be able to redo it. WHAT WERENYOU DOING THE 10 CLASS WORK DAYS WE HAD! I'm over it. I found out that I won't have to finish the school year and now I am just counting down the days. I'm at the point (and I've felt this way for a while) that I'm not sure being a classroom teacher is my ideal position anymore. I love school, love education, but would much rather work in smaller groups. As soon as LO comes, I am done for the year. Or my due date. Whichever comes first.
@wagnerw Yep, I am done whenever LO comes or spring break (which begins April 7 at the end of the day). My due date is April 15, so I am hoping that I get spring break to "relax" before his or her arrival. I love that I am in double digits for the countdown because it means double digits until I am out! I will have off the rest of the school year and then all summer. I won't return until maybe August 25, and then students return after Labor Day. It will be the longest maternity leave I've had! (I took 12 weeks with DS and then DD was born right when summer break started, so I got about 9-10 weeks with her)
@ebloom3 our spring break is the week of march 13. I'm so excited to have a week off so late in the pregnancy. Not only to be able to rest but also have a chance for some final preparations and such. Going back for two weeks after will be a challenge! My due date is 4/1, which is the end of 3rd term. I figured it would be an easier transition for a sub to start out with my new set of kids 4th term than for me to work until delivery and have the sub jump in after a few days.
I am struggling big time since break because we are about to start test prep. The hours are longer and I really just can't stand my co-workers/administration. My break is during the week of 4/10 and I'll be 38 weeks so I'm planning on not coming back after that.
I'm ready for April, too. I'm a food service director in a district and my boss continuously keeps making changes to my department without discussing it with me. AT ALL. Then I get to be the one who has to discover the changes that he's made and be the one to inform my staff, such as cutting them all down to 4.8 hours a day.
Yeah I unfortunately feel my patience dwindling. I know it's mostly pregnancy insanity but it's still so frustrating. My students were great. It's the adults that are bugging me! LOL Full moon on Thursday ladies. Yikes!
I'm 99% sure I'm done teaching after I wait it out to get my maternity leave. It's too much of a roller coaster for me, emotionally. Not to mention all the constant changes in your day to day....I like the actual work of teaching but I hate how unpredictable it is. I'm tired of busting my butt and then everything in a day fails because of variables completely out of my control. I want to work in a field of success.
I'm with you ladies. I'm trying to "cut back" emotionally, but I find being cheery and patient with the kiddos much harder these days.
@Beckyf321 I'm sorry your boss is still sucking so much.
Me: 31 DH: 36 Married 5 years DD born 8/30/13 #2 expected 4/25/17
Yeah, today one of my favorite students (yes, I said it, favorite) was crying in the bathroom. I walked in to see what was wrong and she was on the phone with her older sister. Apparently, their parents are separating and it's been really tough for her. She said her mom packed her little sister's stuff and they are moving in with their grandma in a different district. She isn't sure what will happen with school. She just sobbed. So I hugged her. And I cried, too, because hormones.
@ebloom3 your post made me laugh...I'm going through the same(ish) crap as well! Our quarter ends this Friday, but instead of 9th graders being concerned about their grades, I have parents of my first graders suddenly worried about their missing work (even though we've conferenced or work was sent home to make up and they didn't). Florida has had 2 days of "winter", instead of a freezing classroom, I'm dealing with 4905309659065 missing jackets, gloves, beanies, etc. No matter how many times you remind a 6/7 year old to remember their things - it doesn't happen. No cell phone allowed, but it's this new fad dobbing (sp?) and flipping water bottles that kills me. Today was a day of do not touch me, stop squawking in my ear, stop pushing papers in my face, no you may not leave the carpet for the 4th time during our lesson, blah blah blah. I also love my job, I really do, but some days are so tough! Just rest assured you are not alone! I'm sure many teachers are feeling this middle of the year stress!!
@Nolegirl1185 my kids (and by kids I don't mean kids I teach because I'm not a teacher) do the flipping water bottles "game." So annoying. I've found soooo many half-empty water bottles in their room lately. Who comes up with this crap anyways?
@Nolegirl1185 my 5th graders dab when they sneeze and then it starts a chain effect of fake sneezing so they can dab in the classroom. We are also experiencing an overuse of the word 'bro'.
I have a lovely dab story from today. I took my students to music today to realize there was a substitute in the room. I gave them the whole be on your best behavior talk when all of a sudden my entire class laughs and dabs at the same time!!! I was baffled, irritated, and embarrassed. WHY would be class decided NOW was the appropriate time to do this!? Oh I know...because the substitute was standing behind me doing it! He was an older man with stark white hair. The kids though he was "so cool"!!
@belocin The fake dab/sneeze! My third graders do it all the time! To stop it when they do something awesome or get an answer correct they are allowed to dab one time.
If you pray or something like that, please send it my and my students' way. I just found out that a student of mine (who has been in the hospital for 5 months) passed away today. My heart just breaks for her family and my students. We have consistently written her cards, letters, gifts, etc all year. She has been well enough to visit twice and had a return back to school date of January 23rd. She BEAT the cancer and was almost ready to leave the hospital then went into heart failure due to the chemo. She has been battling life and death for a week and finally lost today. My principal is personally calling all of my families this evening. Tomorrow is going to be SO HARD. My students have been in the loop all year, but no one expected this; especially after the good news that the cancer was gone and she was coming back. How do you have a conversation like this with 6/7 year olds? How do I stay strong for them?! Do I let them see the emotions?! I'm a hormonal mess and when I see my babies crying tomorrow, I don't know I can stay strong.
@Nolegirl1185 burying a student is one of the hardest things. I am sending lots of love and good thoughts to everyone involved. Don't try to hide your emotions, I say. It's impossible, first of all. And they need to see that it's ok to be sad. Do you have a social worker or counselor who is available to talk to the kids (and you)?
Me: 31 DH: 36 Married 5 years DD born 8/30/13 #2 expected 4/25/17
I think it is totally human to show your emotions, it also tells them it is ok for them to feel what they are feeling. Maybe open up the day with letting them talk about their feelings. I'm so sorry, this is horrible.
@Nolegirl1185 How incredibly sad! I'm tearing up just reading about this. I HATE hearing about sweet, innocent children fighting cancer. I will keep you, your students, and this student's family in my prayers.
@cafedisco@aboxofchocolates@KirstinH88 Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, and replies! The text messages and phone calls from parents are coming in now too, just such a sad situation. Our school guidance counselor is going to be in my room all day tomorrow. We are trying to get the guidance counselor from a sister school as well for students in other classes (students who were in class with her last yr etc). I will definitely be speaking with our counselor as well so that I can handle myself appropriately for them...and when I can't, step out. I'm not opposed to my students seeing me sad, even crying a little with them, but I have a problem of completely losing it and sobbing when I try to stay strong for too long. I guess I will just have to play it by ear and hope for the best. It's going to be difficult no matter what.
@Nolegirl1185 I am so sorry for your, and your students, loss. I have dealt with the loss of students on 2 occasions (one had an undetected heart problem, the other had a severe asthma attack). Teaching high school, I think it's a bit easier to be emotional. Students better understand death and can process things a bit better. Our principal has instructed us, that, in times of high emotion that we can, and should be, emotional. We should show the kids that being sad is ok and normal. I hope that things go ok with your students. I am sure that the grieving process will take time. I will be keeping everyone in my prayers.
@Nolegirl1185 Thinking of you today. We had a student that was killed from gun violence in the community last year...it was awful to deal with. I teach high school, so the kiddos definitely had a better grasp on what "death" was, so it was easier to talk about and share feelings with them. Showing the kids that you can be emotional, too, helps to normalize their feelings and grieve, so I think it's 100% okay. Hang in there, girl.
Thanks everyone! It was an emotional roller coaster of a day, but we made it. Our day started with lots of crying and hugging. We talked about memories, shared stories, wrote cards and letters, and ended with the idea of writing them on balloons to send them to her in heaven. The kids were so brave and insightful. I held it together well until I dropped them off at P.E. Once back in the room I lost it, it was just so emotionally draining. My kids still saw me sad and upset and I assured them that their feelings were acceptable and there was no right or wrong way.
Oh, @Nolegirl1185, I am so sorry to read about this. There was a little boy in our district who had cancer come back 3 times and he passed away last year. That shit just isn't fair. Kids shouldn't be able to develop cancer. I will say that it was truly incredible to watch the way our little community and people around the world pulled together to support the family.
His name was Dorian Murray, aka D-Strong. Some of you may have seen it on the news, he was the little boy who "wanted to be famous in China" before he died. People all over the world heard about it and started posting pictures on social media with signs showing the hashtag #D-Strong. Such a tragedy, but it is one of those times that can restore my faith in humanity with the outpouring of love people are willing to show.
@Nolegirl1185 how was today? At our school, we have 2 beautifully painted memorial rocks placed around the flagpole outside. I wonder if there's something like that your school could do.
Still thinking of you all. Do you get Monday off to get a bit of a break?
Me: 31 DH: 36 Married 5 years DD born 8/30/13 #2 expected 4/25/17
@cafedisco Today was easier. I still had a few students come in saying they were sad and still missed her. We will be inviting all families to join in on the balloon ceremony next week. I feel so guilty though...I had to leave today for a Dr's appointment which the kids are used to, but today they were worried. Wanted to make sure I was okay and coming back. I assured them I would be back like always and I never came back. At my appointment they sent me to the hospital for blood pressure and baby monitoring because my blood pressure was 143/92 this morning when I checked, 150/100 in the office today and 147/94 after they made me lay on my left side for awhile. I asked if it was possible it was high due to being sick and the stress of this week and my student passing and my OB said possibly, but it should go back down not stay elevated. So while at the hospital (crappy ass experience - but that's for another time) my readings were all in the 150's/90's for over 2 hours. They prescribed a high blood pressure medication. Anyway my point is, by the time I was finished school was over and I never made it back and I just feel so bad reassuring them I was perfectly fine, baby was fine, and I would be back to get them from lunch - then never showed. At a time like this, they need me and consistency and I wasn't there. I may be being overly emotional over it, but it really upsets me like I disappointed them. I know their homework folders and weekly work never went home. Our reading test was left unfinished, the room was a mess. Etc etc etc. Okay I'll be done..if you haven't noticed I'm quite the lengthy typer.
I don't blame you for feeling upset, but I'm sure they will be ok. They great thing about littles is that they will worry about you, but they hopefully won't hold that worry, you know?
They love you and will understand when you explain to them next week. Sorry about your blood pressure on top of everything.
Me: 31 DH: 36 Married 5 years DD born 8/30/13 #2 expected 4/25/17
@cafedisco Thanks! I do feel a little better today. Honestly I think that my anxiety meds allow me to mentally push more than my body is physically able right now and it kinda all just crashed this week with everything going on. Kids are definitely resilient and they will understand, thanks for reminding me!
How are you guys feeling? I am good throughout the day, but when I finally get my son down to sleep I am so tired I feel sick.. The thought of testing is starting to stress me out too!
@mallyandryan I feel the same way. I've colds and/or pregnancy congestion for weeks now and my biggest battle at school is walking around. I am winded getting up the steps and am increasingly winded getting around my classroom to monitor my students. When I am not congested it's much better, but right now it's terrible!
I already talk fast, but now I get out of breath constantly when I'm in front of the class! I always find myself sitting more than I ever used to. My schedule is a bit easier this term so I have my prep in the middle of the day, I feel like that helps me regain body energy for my last class. Although most days my motivation is lacking
We have had shortened class periods the past couple of days for various reasons, but since I am really trying to finish my AP curriculum before the baby arrives I am still trying to plow through. I feel so out of breath on days with shortened classes because all I do is talk. I am ready for a normal schedule!
@chelle087 I'm trying to cram in all of my lecture for AP before I leave at the end of March (and leave the more fun activities for them to do with the sub), so I'm occasionally winding up with days (like today!) where I am lecturing straight through the class period...I am sooo tired and out of breath by the end of it all; it's insane!
The out of breath crap is no joke! I took my whole class in the elevator for the 5 days of testing we had recently. By the time I make it upstairs and into the computer lab, I have no breath left to even tell the kids what to do. Good thing they love it and I can scare them enough not to misbehave. By the time I get home every evening (somewhere from 5-7 pm), I'm sooo tired. Then comes all the other work, as you all know.
@Nolegirl1185 I hear you. I work on the fifth floor and we have no elevator. My day starts with walking to the top to unpack back down to the basement for breakfast with kids, back up to start the day, take them back down for recess (thank god I don't have to take them to lunch) Then back up to pack up, Back down to walk them to the bus and back up again to the classroom.
Re: Teachers! Come in here!
I've been on the struggle bus since we got back from break last week. The heat isn't working in my classroom, so it's cold. The kids are SUPER unmotivated right now, so it's pulling teeth to do anything. My admin team is randomly power tripping and generally making the entire staff miserable. I have like 5 labs in a row to do for my AP kids, and the prep for that is just draining all of my time and energy. Bah. I'm so relieved but terrified to have a date for my RCS (if I don't have a VBAC before that), because it gives me a concrete end date. But seriously. This year has been probably the most depressing and stressful of my career.
I wouldn't say this year has been my worst, but it's been tough. Lots of changes and new technology that the kids don't want to learn. My AP classes are a bright spot because the kids are awesome, but 9th grade is driving me crazy!
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
Married: 12-04-06
Annabelle: 1-1-08
Patrick: 8-15-10
EDD: 4-20-17
I'm with you ladies. I'm trying to "cut back" emotionally, but I find being cheery and patient with the kiddos much harder these days.
@Beckyf321 I'm sorry your boss is still sucking so much.
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
Baby #2 due April 2017
Reality: Click 'submit' at 3:30 when grades are due at 4:00.
Theres always next quarter, right?
Baby #2 due April 2017
I have a lovely dab story from today. I took my students to music today to realize there was a substitute in the room. I gave them the whole be on your best behavior talk when all of a sudden my entire class laughs and dabs at the same time!!! I was baffled, irritated, and embarrassed. WHY would be class decided NOW was the appropriate time to do this!? Oh I know...because the substitute was standing behind me doing it! He was an older man with stark white hair. The kids though he was "so cool"!!
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
Baby #2 due April 2017
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
His name was Dorian Murray, aka D-Strong. Some of you may have seen it on the news, he was the little boy who "wanted to be famous in China" before he died. People all over the world heard about it and started posting pictures on social media with signs showing the hashtag #D-Strong. Such a tragedy, but it is one of those times that can restore my faith in humanity with the outpouring of love people are willing to show.
Married: 12-04-06
Annabelle: 1-1-08
Patrick: 8-15-10
EDD: 4-20-17
Still thinking of you all. Do you get Monday off to get a bit of a break?
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
They love you and will understand when you explain to them next week. Sorry about your blood pressure on top of everything.
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17