Remember how I mentioned that I was trying to savour each day left with my 3rd graders before summer came?
Well, I take it back.
Get me to summer, and get me to summer fast.
You know how you hear about marathon runners hitting “the wall?” When they just cant.go.on?
Well, that was me today. Only I was surrounded by 22 yelling kids instead of spectators, I had a whiteboard behind me instead of a race course, and I had on my Ann Taylor Loft dress and cardigan instead of running gear.
It was hell.
I try to keep this blog positive, but honestly, I need to vent, and I want those teachers-to-be out there to realize that it’s not all “warm fuzzies” being a teacher.
It was just one of those days where my students weren’t listening to a word I was saying, they had a million thousand questions for me (all of which, I had answered previously, but like I said, they weren’t listening), they were fighting with each other, tattling on each other, stealing pencils from each other, etc. etc. etc.
Quite honestly, this all happens on a normal day… however, today my patience was running on empty.
I’m exhausted.
Having 22 kids that all need (and deserve) your undivided attention wears you down, and it can be overwhelming.
I love teaching, and I love all of my students, but today all I could think about was how badly I needed a break. As much as I wanted to walk out of the classroom for a breather, I couldn’t. That’s the thing with teaching…. you are always on. The students are always watching your reaction, always waiting to see what you’ll do, and you have to remain calm and collected.
I’m not claiming that I didn’t raise my voice today, because I definitely did, but I had to do it in a calm way (if that’s even possible.)
You better believe inside I was screaming and crying and throwing a fit like a two year old though…..
So yeahhh… about my claim that I wanted these last few days of school to slow down so I could really enjoy them?
Nevermind.
GET ME TO SUMMER.
What do you do to calm yourself down when your patience is at ZERO?
Do you remember any teachers when you were growing up losing their patience?
If your a teacher, please tell me I’m not the only one who has days like this!
I know how you feel. Even though I enjoyed it, subbing in a classroom of kindergartners felt like hell at times, especially since they don’t want to listen to a sub. I once had a fourth grade teacher who pretty much went crazy — she yelled at us and threw scissors across the room. Pretty sure that was her last year of teaching.
Wow…. She threw scissors??!! Haha that’s taking her frustration to a whole different level!
Yep. We all told our parents and I’m pretty sure they called the school. The funny thing is, I had that same teacher in 3rd grade too because she “looped up.” I loved her in 3rd grade, but by 4th grade, I guess she had just had enough of our class.
I can totally relate to your post – I have been an elementary teacher for almost 10 years and right at the end of the year is the worst! End of year tests, report cards, cleaning up you classroom, the dreaded “check-out” sheet… I just started my summer break on Monday and it has taken me almost a week to decompress – hang on, your almost there;) (In a month you will be excitedly planning for next year!)
Ahhh it’s so nice to hear that I’m not alone in feeling this way! Enjoy your MUCH DESERVED summer break!
Girl, I am cheering you on to make it until summer!! You are so right about always being “on” as a teacher. There’s no taking a few minutes to just sit and collect your thoughts when you have kids asking if they can go to the nurse/bathroom/etc. And I think it’s important, like you said, to give teachers-to-be a little heads up about what it will sometimes be like. I wish I’d gotten that advice a few years ago
You can make it!! I’m praying that the last days go quickly and that you and your students make it to summer with minimal headaches!
Thank you!! I know you understand exactly how I feel!
Sounds like quite a day! Fingers crossed for you that tomorrow will be much better. Hope you are spoiling yourself tonight with wine or something else super relaxing to compensate!
I’m laying on the couch catching up on reality tv, exactly what I needed! Tomorrow night I’ll definetly be relaxing with a glass of wine though!
girl, i just discovered your blog and I know exactly how you feel! I am a 4th year Kindergarten teacher and my kids have been crazy all week! Only 3 more days until summer break though! I cannot wait
http://www.meg0813.blogspot.com
girl, i just discovered your blog tonight and I know exactly how you feel! I am a 4th year Kindergarten teacher and my kdis have been crazy all week!! 3 more days until summer break for us!!
So happy you found my blog! I can’t even imagine how kindergarten must be…. Ugh I get a headache just thinking about it! Good luck with the next few days!!
I HATED that part about the end of the school year- they were all at each-other’s throats and fighting like mad! It was all too much! I just wanted them to get along and just get by…. they had other things in mind. Summer will be here and you’ll get to breathe and not be ‘on’ all the time….. I totally understand the patience thing and that there are days where as positive as we try to be- we just need to be real about it. It’s tough! ….. Hang tough and I wish you energy and a few quiet moments (where they are listening…)
Thank you Julie! Your so right… They are totally at each others throats!! Allllll they do is fight and it drives me nuts!!!
Oi the last few weeks of the school year are the hardest! And the most trying kids are even more trying on the ol patience because they are cutting ties before summer. I made the mistake of starting a longer read aloud a week ago and now I have to read an hour a day to make sure we finish it before the end of the year. Luckily this ensures an hour where they are all captivated and peaceful
Hang in there!
Hahah honestly that might now be a bad idea… Anything to keep them quiet!
. Good luck finishing up the school year!
I teach preschool and let me tell you i have those days atleast once a week ! Luckily my vacation started on the 30th of May and i am savoring it!
Preschool…. I feel for you!!! Enjoy very second of your much deserved break!!
You can do it!
Finish line is sooo close!
Soooo close I can taste it!!!
Hugs to you! This is why I’m a school psychologist, rather than a teacher. I admire teachers so much … I really don’t think I could do it!
No way, girl… a school psychologist is JUST as demanding and probably even MORE stressful!!! Thank you for the virtual hug
oh gf, even in student teaching i have those days – we all do. But it’s the struggles that make us stronger & makes those “aha moments” even more special and worthwhile. whenever I feel my patience wearing thin in the classroom, I try to take a step back and look at the big picture & not just the “here and now”. I find that not only helps me clam down, but helps me to “see” what the problem really is, whether it be that the kids need a break, that they aren’t understanding the material, or that it’s just myself making it hard on myself. & as always, I have to constantly remind myself that they are just kids, they are still growing up, and at the end of the day I still love and care for them and it’s still my responsibility to help them grow and learn. Thankfully, it’s Friday, so I hope this weekend gives you a “mini break” that you need & that the rest of the year is smooth sailing!
You’re so right…. I love how you are able to put it all in perspective! You’re going to make an AMAZING teacher!!
My student teaching was with a 6th grade class. Some days were great and some days were horrible but EVERYDAY was exhausting. It’s true, teachers have to be “on” all the time. You don’t even know when you will get your next bathroom break. And nobody, except teachers, will ever understand what it is like. Teachers NEED a summer break!
YES! I get so angry when people say that we are so “lucky” to have that break… it’s not just a time to chill and do nothing… it’s NEEDED.
My mom works in a school …she’s getting to this point too! I wanted to be a teacher for a long, long, LONG time – it’s posts like this that make me glad I changed my mind (for now). Just smiiiiiiile. And breathe! You’re almost there!
Thanks lady!
I make myself watch/listen to this music video: http://vimeo.com/22439234
It always has a calming effect on me. I keep the song on my ipod, too
Oh my gosh I can’t thank you enough for this…. what a BEAUTIFUL song. Thank you so much for sharing…
That has been my week. The kids are done, and so are the teachers! What are you doing for the summer??
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