Posting here the last few months has been spotty(er) than ever. In many ways I feel like a first year teacher again, what with changing grade levels to Sixth. Trying not to be whiny, apologies in advance if it comes off that way. I’m working overtime to review, modify, and organize curriculum materials that I’m not familiar with. Since my last stretch as a sixth-grade teacher, there’s been new Math and Social Studies curricula that I have to be on top of. I’ve got help with Science, Math, and English, but those people need some direction, too. Of course, there’s the paperwork….grading and maintaining the books, the dirtiest job in the house. But…I remind myself, that’s the price of admission.
In return, besides the paycheck and other tangibles, I get to work with a fantastic professional staff, and a truly difficult age group that runs hot and cold all day long. A few are steady, but the rest are delightfully unpredictable and amazingly resistant to teacher interventions. My wife, who taught sixth grade 15 years ago before we had kids, listens to my stories and comments, “Times seem to have changed.” I won’t/can’t elaborate here, but every day is an adventure. And still I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than teach, because this is a problem-solving environment where we are LIVE all the time doing stuff that matters. Somehow. Even when it’s hard to see. Lots of times, it’s like climbing a mountain chasing a false summit.
I think that kindergarten and sixth-grade are special duty assignments that only a few are cut out for. You gotta be part lion tamer and part snake charmer, and part clown, with a magician’s bag of tricks always at the ready. I knew this going in, and I haven’t been disappointed.
Today, though, was that special kind of misery that only comes along when the planets line up just so. It was the last week of the quarter, with the car in the shop (other car) all week so the family was on car-pool mode (again), with spring break as the light at the end of the tunnel. But we had honors band and orchestra concerts to attend for our kids. I’ve been coughing all week, but last night I woke up feverish at 2:00 AM. Now I’m sitting here in my classroom waiting to head over and pick up my son from his after school thing – with my coat on. Shivering.
And the weather has turned unbelievably warm (above freezing) which is not good in the subarctic this time of years, because the hard pack glazes over and makes even walking to the car treacherous. More importantly, the skiing goes all to hell, and we didn’t get hardly any snow this year.
Still, I managed to drag my way through the day, and made it a decent one for the kids. No lion tamers. Calling a sub would have been a waste of time for all of us. They got out early, and I get to go home and collapse before we leave on a family trip in a couple of days.
Soon. It will all be better. Soon.
8 Comments
I love your posts … but don’t leave a comment often. I have moved from teaching Year One (5 year olds) to year six this year …. I can relate… even to the head cold and a day in class. Love both levels … never disappointing but sometimes takes every last bit of energy!
Jody, I think you must have a special talent. Good to hear from you.
Doug, I wish I could just help you sing “Shake My Germies Out” (yes, I encourage the kids to put a little spin on Raffi when the illnesses start popping up right before Spring), apply some therapeutic finger paint (if you’re a tough case, glitter might have to be added), and hand you a comfy nap mat (er, “Daydream Time mat”). Not sure if it’s a cure-all just for kindergarten teachers, but it could be worth a try! Hope you start feeling better soon, that Mother Nature calms down a bit, and that you and your family have a wonderful vacation.
BTW, Uncle Sam has it narrowed down for my husband’s new post assignment: Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, or Virginia. I’m not quite sure what I’m hoping for at the moment other than the selfish wish that he won’t get a slot that will deploy again, and a teaching position at a school that hasn’t completely lost its mind or its gumption.
I’m dreamin’ big.
The couch is reserved for me all day. And dreamin’ big is the only way to go. Thanks, Michaele.
I teach in a special ed program for gifted kids and I have the same kids year after year. By the time they get to 6th grade I’ve had some of them for 5-6 years. In August I am so glad to see them and cherish each day with them….Christmas time is still good…by 4th quarter I’m thinkin’ “don’t let the door hit you on the way out!!”
I think God lets them go to hell in a handbasket so I can let them go!! I am so thankful for middle school teachers.
Nancy, your comment answers a question I’ve been asking myself lately, which is whether I’d feel more successful if I worked with the same group of kids, “looping” with them for a span of years. Reviewing this year, first quarter we worked on the idea that I wasn’t Last Year’s Teacher. Second quarter, the students and I both had to learn that “it ain’t personal,” whatever happened. Third quarter, it felt like some of the hard cases understood that I was there to help them, and began to come around. Fourth quarter is about to begin….I don’t expect it to be altogether pretty, but I hope it isn’t hell, either.
I suppose it wouldn’t matter how long I’ve worked with them, the end of sixth grade is bound to be a struggle, but maybe the rough parts at the beginning would have been different if the kids and I knew each other already.
Bless, you, Doug, for all that you do with our youngest students.
As much as I like the intellectual challenges presented by students in levels 3, 4 and 5, I would go to the proverbial mat if anyone tried to take my eighth grade Spanish 1 students away from me. This year, I teach them first block of the day. It is the best beginning, even when I am feeling blah.
Feel better.
Doing better now, thanks, after seeing a doc.
One of the challenges for the elementary level teacher (and kid) is that we spend all day together. I think the middle school-aged kids enjoy the change of pace that comes with having a variety of teachers. I know, I like a change of scene in my day, too.
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