Part time work sounds pretty great

The last few years, I've been thinking how great part-time work sounds. Now, in a sense, that is what I've kindof been doing. 

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.
 

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 : )