Teacher's Lives

     As teachers, we are expected to have all the answers.  Some of the time, we do!  We like to be in control and we work very hard at making things the way we want in our classrooms.  It's important, though, to remember that we can't control everything that happens to our students.  But you can control  the atmosphere in your classroom involving your interactions with your students.  There is so much to be concerned with, that it is OVERWHELMING!  Many people think that teaching is a sweet gig - out early, school breaks, summers off.  Those people need to sit in a classroom for 30 minutes with anywhere from 8 - 30 students looking at you.  For what?  Learning is the goal but kids want to be entertained!
     Unfortunately, teaching is only a small part of being a teacher.  I know that I don't have to tell you that!  The responsibilities are: grades, interim reports, IEP's, quarterly reports, bench marks, lesson plans, emergency lesson plans, committee meetings, curriculum development meetings, staff development, staff meetings, collecting and reviewing data, goal conferencing, evaluations, weekly reports, parent contacts, attendance, role model, and (at times) being therapist, advocate and parent figure. (And I'm sure I've left some out).  So many hats it's hard to believe that one person could do it all!
     Some of the ideas I'll be talking about, in the future, may be familiar, or not.  Remember that you're human and being a teacher is like no other job.  Relax..... and eat some purple french fries!