OMG! Already over 180 bloggers! It's really something that EVERYONE in the educational blogging community comes together at the beginning of every month to Farley. It's a nice window into everyone's blogging home life.
Can I tell you something? It's HOT OUTSIDE! The entire Southwest is in a pretty ugly heatwave right now. It was about 107 today? We had to go and visit Mr. Life in Middle school's younger sis at her volleyball carwash. HOT HOT HOT! I was dying as we waited. It's like, Love ya sis, but wash that car faster!
Next, I'll fill all of you in on my bitterness/anxiety. Usually, I love the summer because it's this pure planning time. You get to plan on a new year and it doesn't matter if your last year was great or awful, but you get a fresh slate. This year, I've started to plan and I end up just pushing it all away because I start to get upset (already) about next year's staffing.
At my school, for the past four years, we have always reduced our staff by at least one person. I've either barely scraped by or like in 2010, transferred to a different school. I'm back on the bottom again unless we have an opening filled by someone that has less seniority then me.
So, I'm getting bitter over the whole thing - why should I plan, I'm going to do all this work for nothing, I'm just going to have to pack up all my stuff again...
My wish/hope/prayer for this year - scrape by again, I guess. I know that I have to rock my plans regardless of the bitterness lurking in my heart because I have to re-prove to my principal that I can teach Language Arts.
Am I being silly over the whole thing?
And finally, my TpT tip is... if you make something for your class - you should put it on TpT. Why not? It's also a nice place to keep all your resources - there's nothing to lose.
Love your blog. I really need to throw my stuff on TpT. I think I am slightly intimidated by all the great creators out there. Would my stuff be as great as their things?
ReplyDeleteHang in there with the staffing... I think we all grit our teeth when it comes to staffing changes.
Angela
Thanks - I've had a lot happen to me, so I have this bitterness that wasn't there before.
DeleteI say, put your stuff on TpT! You never know, it might be want someone was looking for. The way I do it? I take all my TpT money that I make and use it to buy school stuff. I think it's a fair cycle ;)
Hi Lauren - I'm stopping by from Farley's!! Sorry to hear about the staffing issues that you have to go through. A lot of schools are having to downsize, that would be so tough with the uncertainty of it all. I would say put your best flip flop forward and WOW them with your creativity and awesome lesson plans! I so agree with you on putting materials on TPT!
ReplyDeleteHave a great summer! I hope it cools off - it's been really hot here in Arkansas too!
Danielle
Crayonbox Learning
LOL - I like that expression! I will concentrate on putting that best flip-flop forward! :)
DeleteI think that the numbers will be okay:). Try not to worry (says the always anxious about something friend).
ReplyDeleteThank you friend :) I will try.
DeleteNo, you aren't being silly. Staffing problems and changing classrooms, grades, etc. is tough. Hang in there and try to make the best of it. We are all in this together.
ReplyDelete~Brandee
Creating Lifelong Learners
Oh LIMS, this is a terrible situation to be in! (It makes my stomach hurt--I dislike uncertainty so much!) Maybe this is the universe's way of saying: "Well you know what you have today... Enjoy it!" Well,it was worth a try...
ReplyDeleteI will send you hopeful thoughts of knowing the answers soon...
Crossing my fingers on your behalf!
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
What a bummer about the staffing issues. Does this mean you could start school teaching something other than the language arts you are planning for? Uncertainty is stressful. Sorry you have to deal with that. And OMG it is hot by you. I get annoyed when we get up to the 90s. We are having a very non summery summer here in WI. We had a bonfire last night and it was chilly. I keep waiting for summer to start.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your anxiety, Lauren - that is the worst....just not knowing for sure. I taught 6th grade in a middle school for 8 years, but we were all elementary cert. so they switched us around ALL the time. So frustrating - you can't get GOOD at something that way and all that energy spent creating lessons goes out the window. That is why I switched to the elementary - it's more stable. **Knocking on wood**
ReplyDeleteWell.....take this summer then to live in the moment and truly relax.
Glad I found your blog!
Corrina
From Mrs. Allen's Teaching Files