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Wrote this Saturday before going back to school after spring break.
I’m tearing up a little right now beause I have really enjoyed writing the last few days, and I know it will stop soon. The writing won’t stop completely, but the time to really think and do my very best at it just won’t be there.
Some people say those that can’t do, teach. I say those who stop to teach will be regarded as someone who can’t do.
And then the demands of the job will work against the teacher to make it the truth.
I always write better over break. Is that true for other teacher bloggers?
7 responses so far ↓
1 diane // Mar 31, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Although many members of the public consider teaching to be a cushy, practically part-time job, I find it to be a physically and emotionally draining career.
We want so badly for our students to succeed, we see so clearly the obstacles in their path, we try so hard to prepare them for what we know life may have in store for them.
You’ll hear teachers all over twitter speak with longing about upcoming vacations. It’s not because we hate our jobs. Rather, it’s because we have invested so much of ourselves in our profession that we need some time to reflect and recharge.
diane
diane’s last blog post..Letter to the NYS Board of Regents
2 Pete Nicely // Mar 31, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Teaching has been more absorbing than the “real” jobs I have had because it matters so much. I find the only way my writing is ever decent is when I write two hours every morning. Teaching’s sleepless nights, constant planning and every hours make that too hard.
Pete Nicely’s last blog post..Bracketed
3 jose // Mar 31, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Wow. Well, one, I’d just like to say that I finally answered your question in my latest post. You wanted to hear more about the edubloggers and I finally wrote something.
Secondly, I write whenever wherever whatever. It’s sometimes harder to write during school because of all the stuff I have to do, but writing is how I relax. For most, I can see that being the truth though. :: shrugs::
jose’s last blog post..We’re All We Have
4 ken // Apr 1, 2008 at 6:58 am
to answer your last question in this post:
No. In fact, over break(s) I like to go “off the grid”.
My mind is a racin’ with ideas and the whole world moves past me like would-be blog posts, but I make a concerted effort to contribute little in this universe.
Kids. They’ll do that to ya’.
ken’s last blog post..green(ville) with a smile
5 Eric // Apr 1, 2008 at 9:29 am
What Diane and Pete said, really. I’ve been out of the classroom for about 8 months now. There are factors that still make my life difficult, and my job can be demanding at times (I’m writing from a training session in North Dakota that’s been a mess), but it never even approaches the stress and time-suck I experienced during my nine years as a classroom teacher.
6 Taylor // Apr 1, 2008 at 6:53 pm
@diane You’ve brought out an excellent point. I am seriously ABOUT FUCKING SICK of people denigrating my summer vacations. For starters, my summer is TWO months, not THREE months, so let’s just get that straight at the outset. But let’s also clarify that I have had to work the last two summers to supplement my income, and I’m far from being alone in this. Furthermore, to maintain my teaching license I have to fulfill a bunch of ~confusing~ requirements like I’m still in college, hoping to graduate. I have two bachelor’s degrees and a masters. All this “learning” they’re planning for me ~and bludgeoning me with~ is interfering with my learning. ~pretty sure we’re doing the same to students~
@pete I completely agree. My first mentor teacher in my M.Ed. program said that to me: teaching is a heavy responsibility, and that takes a toll on you. She wasn’t saying it in a bad way. Just a fact. ~i think in response to my arrogant claims to have it all down~ She was so right. I’ve learned that again this year as a teacher of electives. Electives are important enrichment, and they should exist to support the classroom, but they *Do* constitute a break from teaching core subjects all day.
I wouldn’t have a blog otherwise.
@Eric Does that mean, now that you’re not in the classroom, that you have an easier time writing?
See? I feel a need to defend electives. I should have said electives exist to support learning. yikes.
Move to strike, Your Honor
Motion denied.
@jose re: your last post, I’m dubious at being referred to as part of your “stable.” But I’d rather be there than not!
re: writing: that’s awesome that you write whenever. ~suppress the green monster~ Have you always done that? You probably have stacks of notebooks?
But isn’t there something you’d like to develop in yourself that could help you as a teacher & learner, but you don’t have the time? I just think you should be able to pursue that thing so that you can keep learning & developing as a person & a teacher. I don’t know why we would want teachers who did otherwise.
@ken Being the father of twins, I can’t say I blame you. I wouldn’t be back at all. You’re rockin.
7 jose // Apr 1, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Well I think your blog’s awesome, but I could see why being part of the “stable” is problematic. Anyways, I have gigs of writing, and a few notebooks scattered all around my room in need of some archiving seriously. I’ve always written like that, but it’s because I’ve always felt like someone was trying to repress my voice, so I let it out with my pen.
I would like to develop something in myself, and that’s the writer in me. I want to go to workshops and ciphers in the middle of the week, but I gotta get ready for the next day. Maybe the writing will let me become a better teacher, too. We shall see, Taylor. In the meantime, keep sorting through this mess. It will happen.
jose’s last blog post..Mama Said There’d Be Days Like These
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