After a restful vacation of two weeks and spending time with family and friends, I felt like I should be ready to return to teaching. However, when I woke up Friday, a negative cloud hung over my head and I could not understand why it was there. I love my students and I love teaching. I have spoke of them and I know that I missed them dearly! So why would I feel this dread? I even came down with an out of nowhere cold that makes me want to stay in bed! This is not at all like me as I stated before.
However, after considering all last semester I feel as if the routine is my problem and I don't mean that it was too routine. With common core, I felt like I was without a routine. I felt stranded in a boat without a paddle. I don't like change much and common core is a huge uncomfortable change. Things don't mesh right now and I feel unsupported without a textbook. That is crazy but so true. I have talked to peers and the tendency right now is to grab onto the safety raft and coast down the river-meaning use the old text book. I am a math person so forgive my writing expressions! But, we are still exhausted from the first semester and doubting ourselves. Going back to what we know feels safe-it ensures the kids are competent in something. Abandoning the notion of trying to teach kids to preserver when I cannot always spell the word and they detest the notion of figuring anything out on their own, would make life so much easier. But, is it the right thing to do?
I don't believe anyone goes into education because it is an easy job! Maybe a few but they must have never been around children or picked up the paper or watched the news where teachers are basically on trial for all that is wrong with America. So, going back to what is easy and safe is not the right thing to do. I will dig in and teach like my life depends upon the test scores of these students no matter what their mental state is on the given benchmark dates. But I can't say that it is without anxiety. Kids need structure. I have heard that so many times-they like structure. Well, so do I! However, I have also heard that in times of change, greatness often peaks it's head. Let's hope I stumble upon something.
Finally, I will try to remember that not once has a student come back and thanked me for teaching them to factor polynomials...they have thanked me for being good to them and loving them! That is why I became a teacher after all! Ok, I am ready for work and getting rid of the cloud!!!
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