Let me start off by saying that Teachers Pay Teachers has been amazing for teachers to find meaningful lessons and resources to meet the needs of all of our little learners while making learning fun. It's brought teachers together in a collaborative forum where we can connect through social media. I have been inspired by so many of you. It has pushed me to get out of my comfort zone, to come up with new ideas, and create a wonderful classroom environment. But here's where it gets tricky.
Over the summer, I was hired to teach in a new school district an hour away, with a combo class teaching first and second graders (2nd grade was brand new to me), while implementing Common Core State Standards. Did I mention I was hired the day school started? Holy moly, what have I gotten myself into and where the heck do I even start?
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| My kiddos used these props on the first day of school for adorable photos |
Like most of you out there, we lacked materials for CCSS so TpT was my new best friend. I'd spend hours on it finding amazing products and resources. I'd stay up until midnight for months, searching for ways to make my lessons engaging and finding things that were the best fit for a combo. I'd print it out at home on copy paper, rush to school (in an hour of traffic) to copy it onto colored card stock and laminate it. The more things I found, the later I'd stay up.
Oh my dear Kristen! You took the words out of my mouth. I am currently doing what you typed right now… but I felt like I just had to reply! I keep thinking how all these people do such crafty/engaging/fun things all day everyday. It's exhausting and I hope all my late nights this year with laminating and cutting and printing and buying ink, etc. pay off for some year when I can one day just pull from a file {wishful thinking}! Then my fiancé tells me, "You do so many amazing things in a day!" and I think, well one instagram post that looks good probably makes me look genius ha when in reality it was a hot mess hah. I appreciate your honesty! It is a gift and a curse! I am looking forward to break, but like you said, it will just give me more time to start more projects. We are so passionate to love and teach our little ones that eventually it takes a toll on us and the people around us. I hope you rest, relax, and spend time with the people you love over your break!!
I just felt like I was reading about myself!! Lol:/
My son had a fantastic relationships with all of the teachers. He would hug each one before we were leaving from there. If that isn't the sign of a good school, I'm not sure what is.
I don't know you but I do follow you on Instagram. I am a teacher in China and I know EXACTLY how you feel. I love the cute stuff and I am a workaholic and I want to do my best for my kiddos. Unfortunately it means I am EXHAUSTED all the time!!! Hanging in there with you and hoping you get some REST over your break!
As you mentioned..,finding a balance is not easy. TPT, IG, FB blog pages, blogs in general, and other social media outlets are both challenging and discouraging. I look at what others create and think "I want to do that!" I see IG posts and wonder "How in the world did she find time to do that?" It can be very overwhelming. I HATE the word overwhelming. So…I made myself a promise. It is actually typed up and hung above my desk at home to remind me. It lists all the reasons I do what I do. Then, the last line says " I will be real, I will be honest, I will be ME." Reminding myself to be me and not what media wants me to be has been a huge help. I am so inspired by what you do and I hope you find your balance soon!
-A Rocky Top Teacher
Don't worry you are not alone. I have taken on coordinating the elementary levels for my school and teaching grade 4 core subjects. We do what we do because we love what we do, and we love who we do it for. Your post makes me feel that I am not the only one who feels that there aren't enough hours in the day to download, cut and laminate..I even bought a brand new printer and laptop because of TpT and bloglovin'. I hear you sister. You are not crazy you are just an awesome teacher!! Have a great holiday!!
This could be ME too…ALL of it! Very well written and so very raw and true! I am a looping teacher…so I am in a different grade level every year. I just shuddered thinking about the fact that all of the "stuff" I've downloaded, printed, cut, laminated…will not be used next year because I probably won't be in 5th grade. Ugh…I'm going to go check instagram. Lol!
Alison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
Hi Kristen,
You are totally right – sometimes the 'peer pressure' coming from IG, FB, blogs etc. is really stressful… but really, it shouldn't be like that at all. I think in our desire to be the best teachers we can be for our kidlets, we see products, pictures and ideas as things we MUST do, RIGHT AWAY instead of seeing them for the inspiration and encouragement they should be. I had a month earlier this year when I was physically stressed when I didn't get a blog post up, or make something for TpT etc… and I'm sure during that time I wasn't doing the best job in my classroom. I had to take a step back and remember what my priorities were, and what things I was doing because they should be relaxing. I forced myself to have one full day a week with NO printing, laminating or cutting – and no school based computer work either. It really made a difference to my sanity! 🙂
I must admit, I'm glad that our months here in Australia don't match up with the US themes – because I honestly don't understand how teachers prepare all new games/activities each month. I'm glad to have things that I can use at any time of the year – sometimes just switching out things like themed counters and props.
Thanks for a very honest post! 🙂
Lauren
Love, Laughter and Learning in Prep!
I can relate. After a health scare earlier this year, I decided that it's time I take care of myself. The work will always be there. There will always be something to do.