We have all settled into 2015. I am even getting used to writing it on the board every day. I’m not big on new year’s resolutions but every new year gives a fresh breeze of good intentions and renewed energy. This year I will eat healthier, be nicer, work harder, etc. With this renewed sense of self, there is something I have been trying to focus on – flexibility. Live it, breathe it, go with it. It’s our job. So buckle up and go with it.
You want to hear exactly how my life has gone lately? I get this awesome idea for a unit, lesson, etc. I make worksheets, find appropriately leveled books, I organize a craft. I prep my kids for it. I have it all planned out the last final detail. I sit back for a moment to soak in the I-think-I-am-so-awesome glow. This activity is going to be amazing. Some may call it ground breaking. I will be given awards for how much my student learn from one single lesson. And then – crashing me down from my optimistic daydream – just as quickly as you can snap your fingers that perfectly planned and organized activity whips out the window.
Something happens. A meltdown. An obscenely dirty diaper. An unexpected parent visit. Throw up. Aggression. Runner. Doesn’t matter. What matter’s is that you’ve got to deal with it. Before I know it I am pushing my well organized piles of impeccablely individualized work and throwing puzzles on the table. Drama calls.
It’s frustrating. Frustrating maybe doesn’t even encompass it. I have been having to do some heavy duty self talk therapy lately and talk myself down. It’s alright. You can do the lesson tomorrow. This is your job. Drama is your job. You are the firefighter in this classroom and like it or not – you are on call. Unfortunately in this job description we don’t have the luxury of it being ‘someone else’s problem.’ It’s not. It’s ours.
So if you can relate at all; which I hope some of you can and I’m not swimming alone in this sea of frustration – take a deep breath.
Last year my class did MLK activities after Marin Luther King Day. I know. The horror. Well another student had a major meltdown that I had to deal with so my reading group didn’t get to it. But you know what, it was totally okay to work on MLK activities the following week. What’s the big deal anyways? Is Dr. King not as important after the holiday – absolutely not.
So cut yourself some slack and write your lesson plans in pencil. Because chances are you will be changing them.
Time to put on our flexibility pants and keep going.
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20 Responses
I am having exactly one of those mornings! I sat down to lunch and opened your blog and this is just the post I needed to see today and right at this moment! I look at your blog daily for inspiration for my classroom but when you have these posts like this…..they make me feel sane in a very unsane day! lol Thank you!
Glad to know I am not alone!
I feel YOU! My mantra? “Every day is a new day.” It is the only thing that helps some days.
You hit the nail on the head! Great post. Thanks for the reminder and know I am right there with ya!
That is such an appropriate summary “Drama is your job.” I can relate to you with my whole soul. I have been teaching for 18 years in autistic support and I think that is the best summary of what our jobs are! Thanks for sharing the reality of what we deal with, so that we all remember that we are not alone. We are understood! And we will do it all again tomorrow because even if drama is our job, it is our calling… and we are good at it!
Sasha, I sat and cried as I read this this post. I am an Assistant Principal in Australia and have had some trying times over the last few years. It has been your blogs and resources that have kept me sane during this time. Making the resources somehow became my therapy.
I am starting at a new school this year (we don’t go back until the end of January) and I am looking forward to a new start.
Yesterday I got a tattoo of Dory as a representation of my journey and that you just have to….”keep on swimming”
How’s that for a coincidence!!!
I am now looking forward to using your resources with my new kids
Wendy
I’m right there with you. I have many piles of partially put together great plan ideas. lol
I really needed to read this today. I taught general Ed for ten years and special Ed the last five. It is still a struggle for me to be flexible in the special Ed teaching day. I’ve been frustrated lately with too many adults in the room, too much managing and not enough Kurt being able to teach. Thanks the encouragement. I love your stuff!
Happens all the time!! Every time I think I will be able to have a well thought out well planned lesson BAM fire starts and then it burns and burns.. Sometimes you just have to say tomorrow we can try again and know that you can always push things back for the safety of others.
Hi Sasha, I sent you a comment about the “Just Keep Swimming” concept yesterday but my computer is doing crazy things….did you get it??? Wendy (Australia)
You hit this nail right on the head. I can totally relate. As a resource teacher in a small school, I have a whole gamut of needs that I address in a single day, and on top of that, I feel the pressure to address common core state standards, new teacher evaluation standards, and keep up with the latest on sped law/regs. I love my job because it’s different everyday, NEVER the same. But at the same time, I find myself getting so disheartened. My version of success for some of my students can be vastly different from their regular ed teachers, who are hypersensitively concerned with academic success.
Perfect timing to be reminded of this! Thank you for your encouragement! 🙂
Happy to hear! Here is to more unsane days, haha!
So true! Thanks for sharing!
It good to know we are not alone!:)
So true, Melissa! Sometimes it’s hard to wrap our brains around that reality!
I did, Wendy! Sorry for the delay! I am a little behind on comments! Thanks for reading & so glad the post resonated with yoU!
Wendy! What a crazy coincidence! Great minds think alike! I am so happy to hear that this post has touched you! I think it is so important for us all to support each other in this very challenging field we work in! Good luck in your new position!
Thanks for reading! And hang in there 🙂
One day we will get those half-plans finished! haha
As I tell my kids all the time – “Shake it off and oh well.” Glad to know we are not alone!