Because of my lifestyle (loved one--deployments, long-distance relationship, several moves overseas)..........I have had an erratic career.
Day-to-day subbing, long term subbing, really long-term subbing, etc. I have not had my own class, from start to finish, in several years.
The above jobs mentioned (long term subbing and really long-term subbing), while being wonderful, they have also been ALOT of work.
How could a long term be a lot of work?
Depending what the job is, there are not always plans, contrary to belief.
Depending on the school, the approach could be completely different.
Depending on the grade level, there could be a whole lot of curriculum you've never taught before.
The latter seems to create the most amount of work for me.
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| the journey is the reward |
Let me reiterate: I would never change the experiences I've had for anything. I am positive that God has placed me in every class purposefully. There have been some messed-up situations that I've walked into where students were crying out for stability. Other situations where students were sad and confused about why their teacher had left.
Anyway, cut to my current job. September to Easter (not sure what month that is), covering maternity leave. Covering the English Coordinator. At the top of the school.
I'm a K-2 teacher.
However........
I'm loving this year with my Year 5 and Year 6.
Of course it helps that it's a private school, and for the most part they are literally angels.
But the curriculum.
There is so much new curriculum that I've never taught before. It takes all my time to reteach myself the curriculum, but don't forget there's all the writing to grade! In all fairness, it's not that much grading because of the wonderful Writer's Workshop (Ros Wilson's Big Writing model)........but it's a lot more than I've had in K-2.
Anyway, I do not have a balanced life. Who does I guess?But I want more of balance.
Do you feel this way? Perhaps this is mainly in part to switching grade levels all the time?
I've been thinking a job share would fit me perfectly.
Especially after this week of report writing and conferences and getting ready for Friendship Week and our Christmas Fair coming up.
And the fact that I'm sick all the time does not help.
I could cook again.
Go back to the gym.
Bible studies with the ladies group again.
Have more time to focus on my portfolio business.
Read.
Clean the flat.
Not go to sleep at 7 at night.
I am very interested to see what happens when the teacher comes back (that I'm covering). Perhaps she'll want to go part-time?!?!
Would love to hear your thoughts--
I know the money would be less. But I feel like a hamster on a wheel.
I'm off now to London to check out Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms (WWII) for our history field trip next month. Have to see the museum to plan, etc.
And then maybe I'll do something for myself.
If I'm not sleeping : )
7 comments:
I hope you can find some rest and peace in the midst of a time that seems very unbalanced to you. I'm sure it's very difficult to get in a groove when your job is changing from year to year or sometimes day to day. Bless you.
❀ Tammy
Forever in First
I've had to make changes like you are going through... They're very difficult. I have had times when I just thought I couldn't keep on, and once when I told my administrator that he made changes or I would quit and he would have NO teacher. I hope you never have to feel that way. But I am here to tell you that there IS light after the dark and you will find your way to get your life back. I'll keep you in my prayers.
I absolutely relate to your situation. Being the person who has to change jobs all the time when your partner just continues on in a job that is always there no matter what can be really stressful. I had this conversation about 2 weeks ago with my husband as I have been on a long term contract (2yrs) that is just about to end and I am on the job hunt. Yes we move because of his job but he doesn't have to send out endless job applications. Part time is something I have been considering as well, it can be hard to keep up full time work when most of the time I am here by myself. In the end go with your instinct- be kind to yourself.
Tania
Mrs Poultney's Ponderings
Thanks for the support ladies......maybe if my sinus infections would go away, it wouldn't be so bad : ( Ah well, it could be worse! Enjoy Thanksgiving for me!
Kelli
I can relate to wanting some balance in your life. I'm working on that as well. I'm sure it's even harder for you since you've moved from place to place. Good luck and I hope you find some balance and a job you can settle into.
UMMM, you should probably already know that I feel the same way you do!
Two girls in my building this year recently switched to half days, they now split up the day. We weren't sure how it would work, but surprisingly, it has worked really well and the students have totally adjusted. Only downside is no benefits and decrease of salary. BUT, they are both new (and young) mothers who want to focus more on their babies, so I totally understand why they are doing it. And they can afford it. But, I know that my admin was VERY hesitant to sign off on something like that. And I don't know any other schools in my district that have teachers that do that (unless they are subs I guess.)
Hi-I've worked in a job share before (I worked Monday, Tuesday, every other Wed and my partner worked every other Wed, Thurs, Fri....or was it the other way around?). Luckily I had benefits and didn't have to come in everyday. I've worked at several schools that have job shares. Ideally, I'd like to just teach a couple subjects part-time (not have my own class).....ah yes, that sounds lovely (sigh)......
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