Life As a Teacher!

How many times have I heard that as a teacher I have it so easy, I only work 9-3:30, I have Christmas, Spring, and Summer break off, and never have to work weekends?? I have heard it lots, and then I laugh! For example, it is now 5pm and I am sitting at the computer (still at work) and working on planning a novel study unit. Behind me is a pile of science planning I need to do, I have a file of marking thicker then the novel I am reading sitting on my desk in my classroom, I will take that home and work on it tonight. I am not complaining, I enjoy planning (and sometimes even marking), I am just pointing out that I am not at home and it is well after 3:30.

Sure I get those wonderful vacations, I do like having some time off (as most people do). However, last Spring break I spent days writing report cards, over Christmas Break I spend time planning, and marking, even some of Summer break is spent thinking about and planning for the upcoming year. Yes, I do take time to relax on those breaks too, but most people have at least some vacation time in their jobs. Oh, and for the record those Fridays off for kids are not Fridays off for teachers. We are at school working, or at a confrence learning how to be better teachers. On the flip side of the argument that teachers get so much time off is the fact that we can't take time off during any other part of the year. My family (parents, brother, Ashely, and Ashely's parents) are going to Arizona in Feb. Clearly we will not be joing them, I will be working.

As for weekends, yeah right I don't work! Last weekend I was sick with the flu and still marked most of my students biographies. Work has a way of following me home, and that just comes with the territory. Marking, planning, and thinking are weekend projects. Plus I am always thinking about my students, "how can I help so and so with this problem?", "What could I do to help this concept make more sense?", So and so is having trouble with his/her peers, what can I do?"... Work will never end when the students go home, or even when we go home.

In many ways I love my job, I love seeing kids succeed, I love watching their faces light up as they learn something new, I love watching students mature, and become role-modles (that is a bonus of a multi-age class), I love interacting with students... The list of what I enjoy is longer than the list of struggles and trials! What drives me CRAZY is the opinion that teachers have slack jobs, and how our holidays tend to be the envy of all other professions.

I am not complaing about my job, it is great! I knew what I was signing off on when I chose this job, but before you make a comment about how great we have it think about what it might take to have 17 (or more) kids infront of you all day. It takes some thought, planning and preparing... that all takes time.

Okay, rant done! Procrastination over! Back to work :)

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving weekend always makes me smile! Okay, partly because it is a long weekend, but also because it is a great time to spend with family, and friends. Plus it reminds me of how lucky and blessed I am!
Today I was at a PD event in the city, which was actually pretty good. It is nice when they inspire you, sometimes it is hit or miss! :)
I came to the city last night with a co-worker/friend. Mom and I then went... SHOPPING!! I actually walked in the door and my dad made a comment about how mom and I always go shopping when I come in! It is a girl thing! I bought teal, brown and beige fabric for a rag quilt. I need to make a new one to go with our living room decor! Then I clothes shopped, and enjoyed evey minute and penny of it!
This weekend will be a busy one, holidays often are! Tonight Jay will come into the city, and I will try to get some errands done. Tomorrow will be more errands, they never really end! Then we get to see my littlest brother (in-law) play hockey. My parents are coming (or at least me mom) and then the Boazs' will come to my parents for dinner. We will head out to MacGregor after that, and spend some time with my in-laws (we don't see them very often). On Monday we will head back home. Lindsey has invited us over, and I look forward to spending time with friends on Monday afternoon/evening. Should be a good, busy weekend!
As I mentioned earlier Thanksgiving gives me a chance to reflect on blessings in my life, here is a short and incomplete list of the great things in my life:

1. I have a husband who loves me, helpes around the house, and cares about how I am doing/feeling
2. I have a great family, who I get to see often.
3. I have been blessed with great in-laws
4. I have a job, a roof over my head, and good food on my table (when I put effort into making it)
5. I live in a country where I can speak freely, and have the freedom to worship when I want, where I want, and whom I want (I am also blessed to be able to live that out in my job).

That last blessing reminds me: VOTE on Tuesday! I have been talking/reading so much on this election in class, and now I can't wait to vote!

I changed my template, any thoughts/feedback?

An Update!

It's October, and September flew by! The beginning of a new school year tends to do that. There's seems to be so much to get done, and there is never enough time to do it! September brought with it routine and order to my life, and I really enjoy that. It seems I can be much more productive in routine than out of it. My mom often comments that I function in a "feast or famine" way. I am either really busy, with many commitments, and many hours at work (September-June) or I am very lazy (July and August). Even though I do planning and such over the summer I can structure my time in any way and often I am less productive around the house. So when September some I am ready for all the "stuff" that needs my attention.

This year things are a little differnt because life has changed (marriage apparently does that). I have realized that spending time with Jay only happens when both schedules work out. With our jobs we don't work 9-5, it will just never happen. I will have meetings, planning, or marking (LOTS OF MARKING), he coaches highschool volleyball, and has LOTS of meeting. It is not often that we are both home at dinner time! In fact his birthday is coming up and he has volleyball that day, we might be celebrating on a different day! Dinner together is rare, but longed for! We are both doing what we love, so we are learning to make our schedules work.

I haven't posted about school at all! It was a joy to have new students added to my room this year, and sad to see others move on. I guess I should get used to it, but for two years we were the same group. I still have 17 students in Grades 5-8 but the Grade 5's are new! Although I am tried after some days in all reality I have a great bunch of kids, with good hearts and great personalities. The joy of a small school is that I see siblings in action, cousins as best friends, and students who live life, not just school, with one another. It really is a different perspective.

Okay, I really should get to that marking!!