Plainly put, I feel overwhelmed and exhausted most days just from trying to get everything "covered" for class and "done" for administration. My brain is "burned out" and my mind laughs at me when I ask it to be creative!
I think being a new teacher is a blessing and a curse both. Most of the time I am not burnt out on teaching my students and wanting them to learn, I am burnt out on all the "other" responsibilities that are required of teachers.
I keep hearing that 3rd year will be so much better. My hopes are that this is true. Maybe I will have a good foundation for each of my classes and the "newness" will be worn off and my sanity hopefully in tact, that I can take some time to be more creative.
My plan for adding variety is to ask the students after each semester to write down something that they think would help them ie) this can be anything that they want. Of course, I probably won't implement each suggestion but maybe by having them honestly give their input (without having to reveal their name) I may find pattern to something that I am missing in my teaching skills. It also lets them know that I value and appreciate their opinions.
I've heard the third year will be easier as well. I really identify with your observations, I keep finding another requirement or someone has changed the way a report must be written. It's interesting to see how much politics plays in being a teacher. For every moment I've envied teachers' their summers off, I apologize. Now I know the truth, they go into therapy so they can come back and try again. Just think, things are a lot better than they were last year.
ReplyDeleteHi, Donna - very poignant post, and thanks for sharing what you are going through. Yes, it will get better, and, as Leola says, it is better than last year. Another key is learning how to minimize the impact of outside-classroom developments, yet still being aware of them for program survival and growth. That will come with time and exerience as well. Keep after it!
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