I'm a teacher, which means I'll spend the rest of my working life "at school". I never escape high school. That could be the premise for a teen horror movie..... Whether you are currently in high school or just narrowly survived, so you may be reacting to that statement with jealousy or pity. Anyway, just like family members and other adults like to ask the students in their lives, "....so, are you ready for back to school?", my family members and friends like to ask me the same question at the end of August. My go-to answer is "I will be....", usually accompanied by a bit of a defeated smile.
Now August, particularly the last three weeks, has always been a thorn in my side. It's at about this time that I start thinking about school, planning, brainstorming and feeling like I should be preparing. I used to think that I I worked really hard those last waning weeks of summer to get ready for the year ahead I'd be so organized and the year would be less crazy. It has taken me this long to realize a simple truth: preparation- even being extremely organized to the smallest detail- doesn't make the school year any less crazy. Craziness, long hours, stress, lesson prep and marking that keep me up until the wee hours are just part of the job. That never goes away. That's why summer is so important-- because it is a chance to breathe, to have some space in my life. Sure the weeks at school- or in September at least, go a bit easier if I've prepared ahead of time, and sure, it is nice knowing that I have meals in the freezer (cooking is not procrastinating, it's being organized!) but no amount of preparation can make the marathon that is Sept-June any less hectic. You just have to enjoy the ride and savour summer. Teaching is different everyday, no two classes are ever alike, and that's what I love about it. It drives me crazy, but I do love it.
So I've made my peace with those last weeks in August. I know I can't have whole semester prepared, just waiting to be doled out each day. Instead, I brainstorm ideas, "plan with the end in mind" (how many days until June 2015 ?) and try to have some great lessons ready to go. Now all that's left to do is dive in and try to keep my head above water.
Now August, particularly the last three weeks, has always been a thorn in my side. It's at about this time that I start thinking about school, planning, brainstorming and feeling like I should be preparing. I used to think that I I worked really hard those last waning weeks of summer to get ready for the year ahead I'd be so organized and the year would be less crazy. It has taken me this long to realize a simple truth: preparation- even being extremely organized to the smallest detail- doesn't make the school year any less crazy. Craziness, long hours, stress, lesson prep and marking that keep me up until the wee hours are just part of the job. That never goes away. That's why summer is so important-- because it is a chance to breathe, to have some space in my life. Sure the weeks at school- or in September at least, go a bit easier if I've prepared ahead of time, and sure, it is nice knowing that I have meals in the freezer (cooking is not procrastinating, it's being organized!) but no amount of preparation can make the marathon that is Sept-June any less hectic. You just have to enjoy the ride and savour summer. Teaching is different everyday, no two classes are ever alike, and that's what I love about it. It drives me crazy, but I do love it.
So I've made my peace with those last weeks in August. I know I can't have whole semester prepared, just waiting to be doled out each day. Instead, I brainstorm ideas, "plan with the end in mind" (how many days until June 2015 ?) and try to have some great lessons ready to go. Now all that's left to do is dive in and try to keep my head above water.