This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Don't forget to breath and take time for you.
I know as a new teacher, I wanted things to be perfect and run as smoothly as possible. What a fantasy world to awaken from! I spent, and still spend, more hours at this job than a full and part time career put together. Coming from being self employed, I was used to putting in long hours, but even that was not as stressful. The fact I was only accountable for myself and 2-4 other people made life a bit easier. In this job there are so many variables of possibilities and avenues of variance, planning alone can eat up all of your time if you allow it. Sometimes it can be easy to get caught in the self inflicted spiders trap of work. Having so many things to think about and tasks to manage that you forget you are a human that needs food, rest, and deflation time. Every step reminds you of another thing you wanted to try, a project you could do, an area that needed to be organized, a layout you wanted to try, a promise you had made, an email to send, and on, and on, and on. It piles up. But we must remember that we cannot help others without first taking care of our selves. You have to have at least one day to ourselves, away from the needs of non-family members, and free from the stresses of work.
Very True!! I didn't even think about that. Being a teacher can run you ragged if you let it. It's so hard to turn off the teacher part of you. I find the teacher part of me trying to tell my family and friends all about the things I am doing and want to do and all the students but they don't care nor really want to hear all about that. And really the last thing you should be doing while practicing some OFF time is rambling about work. I also have a hard time not worrying about the kids outside of school. So many of my students have tough lives and I can't help but to worry and wonder if the are ok at times. You are so right about not being capable of doings things to your best ability if you have not taken care of yourself first. I wish someone would have given me the advice. Sometimes I would work 13 hours straight with one lousy school lunch. I was exhausted and overrun and couldn't figure out why things weren't moving as smoothly as I planned. Great Advice Tent! :)
ReplyDeleteAs a co-work of Trent I can say he is a great teacher that puts in lots and lots of hours. He is always the first at school and usually the last to leave. I try to do my part in helping him, but he want leave early with me. I had success in at least getting him to eat lunch. Trent you are the hardest working person I know, and you are making a difference in so many lives. You care about every kid, stay to help them, your office is a locker, and I've never heard you turn a student away that needs or wants something. You are a great example and inspiration for the teacher I would like to someday be.
ReplyDelete