Sunday, September 21, 2008
Terri Clements
Maybe now is not the time to write since I'm extremely stressed out, but I was wondering how everyone else is juggling work, school, and home. I'm finding it really difficult to manage my time. The work required in these graduate classes alone can keep me busy all week. I had to work homecoming yesterday...and I'm standing on the dance floor thinking about all the homework I have for the two classes that I'm taking, the lessons that I need to prepare for the week, the case management tasks that I still need to catch up on...and, oh yea...I have 2 children that I feel are getting the short end of the stick right now. I'm planning lessons driving in the car on the way to work. I can't seem to do any of the assignments for these classes during the week....I work all day, have kids with activities and homework to tend to in the evenings and then its 10:30 and I don't have a brain that can function any longer. Now its the weekend and I'm trying to prioritze all the stuff that HAS to get done and the anxiety is building and building.... Am I just completely unorganized or is there not enough time in the day to get it all done?? Has anybody found a happy balance between home, school and work...and if so, please share!
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10 comments:
Terri,
I understand the way you are feeling right now. I and many others feel the same way. It is difficult to juggle all of lifes activities. When I feel like that I look at my brother who is 34 and has been out of a job and looking for a month. With the economy the way it is right now haveing a job in education is a good thing. Other jobs will come and go but teachers will always have a job. I could of easily thrown in the towel but I am confident that it will get easier as we gain knowlede and experience. My wife has been in education for 20 years and has helped my understand that the first year is the toughest. So, hang in there this year and next should be easier.
Heather Day
I'm definitely feeling the same way. On top of these classes and my regular teaching I have just been given the job of team leader. I have done this job the past two years, and asked not to do it this year because I would be taking these classes. Also, my daughter's in kindergarten this year and I wanted to enjoy time with her. But, the teacher who is team leader for this year had unexpected surgery, followed by some terrible news and now she may be out 6 months. Because I did team leader the past 2 years, I was asked to fill in. I am just overwhelmed. I am home working on projects and lessons, and grading, while my husband is in DC watching a game. I couldn't go because I had too much to do. It's frustrating, but I hope that at some point I am making a difference for some kid somewhere.
Cat Isham
Terri,
It is a crazy world, trying to balance parenting, teaching Special Ed and trying to do graduate work. It is just difficult being a parent in this day and age let alone doing all of the rest.
I don't keep up on everything. I have moments when I get overloaded. I try to find time to jot down a list of "have to do' stuff and let some of the other stuff go.
I had a tough time because my 10 year old was getting the short end of the stick so now we cuddle on the couch, she's watching TV or reading while I am doing lesson plans, grading or grad work. Sometimes I try to make a big meal in the crock pot over the weekend so that we can eat that a couple of nights per week so I don't have to do much in the way of cooking.
I think for me, once I realized the worst thing for me personally was I felt like my own child was getting ripped off, was remedying that. THEN things got better because I didn't feel so darn guilty.
By they way, you always look great, together, professional etc.. so you are hiding your stress exceedingly well!
Cat
I'm glad we are all feeling the same way...for a moment I thought it was just me. I can't totally understand what you all are feeling because I'm not teaching, but I do know how stressful it is to have a newborn, maintain a household and keep up with classes. My hat goes off to all of you that are doing all of those things on top of teaching! I will be there soon enough, I imagine. I think the way I survive is to take one task at a time and know that nothing is ever handed to me that I can't handle.
As far as school..my husband always says "good things come to those that wait". I think this carries over to our classes...if we put in the effort with the work we are doing (for grad classes), as well as with students..it will pay off in the end. So, continue to be patient and good things will come!
Liz
Since I am a glorified teachers aide, I have the luxury of leaving work at 3:30pm and leaving my work at work and even I get overwhelmed sometimes. I can't imagine how you all manage lessons and case work. When I hear about all the work that you all are doing at school I wonder why special education teachers don't get paid more than gen. ed. teachers. Teaching seems to have changed over the years, become more complicated. More paperwork, more tests and standards. It's a lot to hold down, especially with a family and classes. I think that at the end of the day you can take comfort in the fact that what you do, few people can do. And you do the best you can and no one can ask for any more than that. When things get overwhelming I always think it's helpful to take a step back and a deep breath. Whenever I got totally stressed out, my mom always told me to not to look at everything I had to do at one time, but to go step by step, and piece by piece. Before you know it, the job gets done.
Misha
I just read my comment. I hope I did not offend and general education teachers. All teachers are underpaid.
Misha
Comment from Jessica -
I always have felt a little overwhelmed since we started in the program and have tried to balance being students while teaching them ourselves. When I started the program Summer 2007 I remember feeling a strange since of extreme anxiety and as I found out each new thing that we were responsible for, I thought "what did I get myself into". As I made in into the year I was very ready to be a second year teaching , thinking that it would be easier because I would already know so much more than I did before. As I started into this year it is like nothing was working with me to facilitate me being more prepared. From the computer clitches to the last minute things that kept coming up, it was like a whole new set of anxieties. Maybe I didn't know enough of what I was doing before to be stressed in this way about getting them done. Maybe it is the added stress of feeling the need to do so much more with my inclusion teachers as I "know" what I am doing now or maybe it is the added responsibility of being the SCA sponsor (But I was a Varsity Coach at this time last year). I have felt more frustrated, worked longer hours consistantly, and worked nonstop since this school year started. At this rate, we will all be burned out long before Thanksgiving break. The only thing that keeps me going is that I will be done with my courses Next summer and although I am sure new things will come up in the years to come, I try to think of the light at the end of the tunnel and the support that I have that makes me still being "alive" possible.
Add me to the list. I too feel like I am giving my family the short end of the stick. I have always been one who likes to have everthing done ahead of time and be very prepared. I am finding that I just have to do the best I can with sooo many things on my plate. I am trying to make sure that the time I do get to spend with my kids is "real" time, but it is hard. I keep thinking that next fall will be much easier. Starting a job the week before school, taking classes, planning, and raising kids is making life a bit challenging at the moment but it makes me feel better to not be alone in my situation. I am so glad to be doing this as a cohort.
Diana Thorpe
I am not teaching yet. However, at times, I too find myself wondering if I have bitten off more than I can chew. I recently started working over night 10pm-6am in hopes that I would be able to handle getting my family settled in new area, complete my studies, gather practicum hours, and handle the day to day. But I made one grievous error. It seems I didn't take SLEEP into consideration. I try to juggle things and remain organized, but it is a constant challenge. When I think about it though, even prior to taking classes, there has always been something in my life that has been my "whirlwind". My only advice is to enjoy the sparce, few, and precious quiet momenets that you may stumble upon accidentally. Capture those times whenever you can. Turn the radio off in the car and listen to the silence (it sounds so good sometimes) or sit in the car for two minutes before entering your home in the evening. These moments may not seem significant, but they can help.
Forgot to indicate my who I am...
Adrienne M.
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