All around, we are struggling, the students, the teachers, the admin, everyone. I know everyone in their respective jobs outside of teaching is also struggling. So, what I am bringing to the table is only the perspective of a teacher in the current climate. We started out the year, face-to-face with every child, none of that hybrid mess, which was good and bad. Kids came back from the virtual world and mixed in with kids they hadn't seen in over two years. Then, the devious licks of the TikTok world joined our school and many others across the country. We had students trying to deface school property all for the name of a TikTok video. In the midst of this happening, there were also fights happening in the bathrooms with students recording it and then sharing the videos with others.
Somehow, I ended up in the middle of one when a student tried to start punching another student who was going into my classroom. I was pushed into a door two separate times at that moment. Exactly one week later, I had two other students fight in my classroom, these two were even friends, but had had enough of each other that day. At this point in the year, I have now broken up 6 separate fights. It's become a running joke that apparently the students come to me to break up the fights because they trust that I will do it, I told them to "stop trusting me" as a joke because it was becoming overwhelming. Don't get me wrong, I am happy that they trust me enough to come to me for those things, but it's also just a lot to handle and deal with.
I am really not sure how, but we made it through February, which is always the longest month of the year, and yes I know it's technically the shortest amount of days. As a teacher, it feels like it is 200 days long. Now, we are almost at the end of March, which means we only have two full months left and then we are out for summer. I really am not sure where the time has gone, while in it it's definitely felt like the longest year, but reflecting on it right now, it doesn't really seem so long at all.
This year wouldn't have gone as well as it has, which again, is relative if it wasn't for my two teacher besties, Candace and Bri. We've kept each other sane throughout the whole mess of the year. Bri- who is my co-teacher and has been since last year, is my other half. I believe that our classes truly are better because we are together. Candace- 8th-grade social studies teacher who is right next door to me. This is her first year of teaching, but she is close to my age so we've hit it off since day one and have been there for each other. In general, I don't know what I would have done the past couple of years if it hadn't been for the staff at my school. They are so polite and are helpful in almost every situation. My admin team has been nothing but supportive the entire time and I am thankful for them each and every day.
There were definitely some tough moments so far this school year, but these are also some of the funniest kids and I am loving watching them grow into young adults. One phrase that will stick with me after this year is, "GET THERE," this was apparently used to make fun of a student, but when we first heard it from a student we turned it into our catchphrase when students weren't understanding or were not on the same page, we'd say, "Get there, (insert kids name)" We've also out used, "I'm Fine, It's Fine, Everything is Fine," saying, but it really does sum up most of our lives. My all-time favorite saying from this year, however, is something that I tell my principal and my admin team quite often and they just laugh at me and roll their eyes saying this will never happen. It's "I am just trying to be mediocre, at best."
For whatever the reason, I seem to have a niche working with the kids that struggle and that have IEPs, our numbers are usually fairly decent and I get students to apply themselves when in other cases, they may not. Any time anyone from the district is here for a visit or for whatever they are looking for, most of the time they come to my room and check out what our students are doing, and it's one of those things I just know is going to happen if they are on the schedule to come. And because of this, I always jokingly say that I am just going to start being mediocre at best so they will stop coming into my room. This is when the eye rolls ensue. I guess I should take it as a compliment, and I usually do, but sometimes I just want to be left alone to teach my kids, but I guess in reality I am left alone other than those times.
Overall, I would say that despite all the hardships and struggles I have, and the kids have faced this school year, I am still going to miss them after they leave us.
Love from the girl who is struggling harder than ever to be there for her kids but also give them the tough love they sometimes need.
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