Teaching: What They Say Is True

Teaching is the only job (and I’ve been reminded of it a lot lately) where it can take more work to call in sick than to actually go to work.

It was a long weekend, so I had time to prepare for Tuesday, not that it was an easy task, but it got done. Wednesday morning, I felt mildly better, but knew I should probably still call in sick. But, I couldn’t wrap my mind around getting sub plans done and hence, decided to toughen up and go to work. What a mistake!

Besides the fact I was coughing all day, slowly losing my voice (albeit very slowly), and sweating as well as feeling miserable, I somehow managed to survive the day. The only thing was, I had a funny feeling I was sabotaging my recovery by pushing myself throughout the day. So I did the smart thing, and prepared sub plans throughout the day and finished them after school before coming home.

I really wasn’t sure if I had made myself worse or not, so I simply laid out the sub plans, wrote a few letters to some students that I had to ask questions to and didn’t get the chance, and instructed a student to make sure a couple things got done incase the sub forgot. Everything was in place, just incase. I did not ask for a sub yet, just incase.

Of course, this morning I wake up so tired. I had awoken several times throughout the night coughing up a storm. My throat felt like it had gravel stuck in it and dry as a desert at the same time. At times, I was coughing so hard, tears were running down my face. There was absolutely no way I was going to work and I definitely did damage going to work yesterday.

But the good news was, I didn’t have to worry about sub plans again because they were already done, so I couldn’t talk myself out of going: the looming task was done! And now I’m at home, taking medicines, both natural and over-the-counter, trying to recover and finally kick whatever it is that I have. After waking up this morning (from coughing again) and messaged my VP that I needed a sub, I managed to fall back asleep (fell asleep before saying good-bye to my husband because I was so exhausted) and slept for a few solid hours. I’m tired again already, but I at least don’t have to worry about anything except getting better. Sometimes you just need time to rest and recover.

Week 13: Day 5 Extended

As sad as this may be, I think my body is adjusting to my macros. It is getting easier and easier to stick to them each day. However, I do go through fluctuations where my body is burning! In reality, it’s not so fun. But mentally, I’m saying “Burn, baby, burn! Melt that fat away!” and I’m satisfied!

Work was so busy today, I feel like I barely had a moment to breathe. Between discipline, teaching, outlining what needs to be done before Christmas Break, grading and organizing, I was literally on-the-go all day! And when the day was finished, we had an InReach meeting to finalize the details for the Christmas Staff Party on the weekend. This time of year is crazy!

After I finally got done with all of those things, I decided I should still get some grading done before I go home. I didn’t do much though because time was going by way too quickly.

Regardless that I didn’t get much done, it was late when I got home. And as unplanned as it was, my husband and I ended up sleeping the night away.

Week 10 Day 3

Well, to say I was tired when I woke up was an understatement. I don’t know what is draining me so badly, but it’s obviously something.

I don’t think I was quite prepared for this school day either. I had about a million things going on at once. Aside from regular teaching, I had student glueing tables, glueing chairs, getting the computer cart when I did not even ask anyone to get it or that we were having computers right away, received word that my parents would gift us the trip of going home so I have to find a place for my animals to stay for the two weeks, trying to get a tutoring schedule ready for our new program so that the tutors can at least prepare for the topics they will be tutoring, signing the report cards so they could be ready to go already a day late, and the myriad of other things. Oh boy. What a day.

And to top it all off, we had an InReach meeting (Social Committee) that went 1 1/2 hours overtime. We did get some things settled which was great, but wow. I got home late today!

After I got home, I ate. Then my husband suggested I could take a nap. Then he suggested that he would take a nap with me. And that walkless sleepwalk that I sometimes have came back, and I apparently shut off the alarms again. Meaning that we didn’t get to the gym last night. I was not happy, my husband was not so happy. But you can be sure we will be there tomorrow, rain or shine, tired or not.

Week 10 Day 2: You Are Capable Of More Than You Realize

Well, this morning was nothing short of a little rushed. My car has not been looked at yet, so my husband had to drop me off at work on his way. This was not a big problem, except he underestimated how much I have to get done in the morning. It was truly my fault we weren’t out the door sooner because I didn’t sleep last night. Honestly, this teaching thing has a way of consuming you. I need to get a grip on this thing!

School went fairly well, but I did notice my shoulders were very tired/sore. I was simply lifting papers out of the huge stack I had graded, and handing them back to the students. They must have gotten a good back workout yesterday (shoulders must have taken a brunt of it).

My students were fairly good today, though they did seem a little more active than normal. Then again, we did a practice for our language arts PAT today (2+ hours of writing), so I guess I can expect the pent-up energy.

After work, I had to wait for my husband to come pick me up, which was totally fine because I was able to get some more things done at work, and when he finally came, I absolutely refused to take work home with me tonight. After taking over my life so much, I needed a night off. This was a phenomenal feeling.

At home, my husband straight-up told me that I had to take a nap before the gym. I chose not to argue, and simply told him I need to eat first, because in the rush of the morning, I had not packed food, and therefore was only able to eat the organic and natural carrot/curry/coconut soup that was in my fridge, as well as two containers of Greek yogurt. I was not running on anything much for fuel.

Strangely enough, this is where it hit me: I was craving healthy food! In fact, with all of the things in our house, I wanted fruit, cottage cheese, and pumpkin spice Nuts n’ More peanut butter. Seriously! I was in love and so happy this is what my body was craving.

My nap turned into a 4-hour sleep. And I felt awful when I woke up. My body ached so badly, my limbs barely functioning to move, and my eyes could barely stay open. But this is when my body hit autopilot, and somehow, I changed my clothes and made it downstairs.

On the way to the gym, I did something I never do, nor do I usually advise doing. I had my usual iced coffee, but also a doughnut. I researched ahead of time, and picked a doughnut that was lower in fat, and mediocre in carbs. The reason for my decision was the simple fact that my body was in need. It needed a carb that would energize me quickly (gym was only 2 minutes away). The truth is, I didn’t even want a doughnut. I try to avoid a lot of sugar like that. I wanted to stop eating it after two bites, but I knew it would help. So yes, I ate a doughnut.

We got to the gym, and I expected to feel worse than yesterday; the mental battle, the lack of ability, but I was totally wrong. Tonight was legs, and I normally hate, no, despise leg workouts. But today, I loved it! I don’t know where the energy and motivation came from, but it was undeniably there. I killed my workouts, things seemed easier, I felt stronger and I was smashing my records. Here are some of the things that were different:

1. I normally struggle with 70 lbs on prone leg curls. It seemed so semi-easy tonight!
2. I was mentally thinking that 90 lbs was the weight I used for seated leg curls last time, curled it, found it easy, only to find that the most I had used was 85 lbs in the past!
3. For the first time ever, I did smith machine lunges. Wow, these killed me, but I could tell were working my legs well.
4. I normally hate barbell walking lunges, and tonight my coach wanted us to drop the back knee twice each time instead of the normal once when walking. I dreaded them before I did them, did them and LOVED them!
5. Normally, I find leg press heavy. I don’t know how else to describe it than that. I completed my regular presses with 120 lbs, thinking that was bigger than normal. But for some reason, I was in a stellar mood and decided to do another set with 180 lbs. I ALMOST got my husband to spot me, in fact I even walked over to him, but then decided I need to do this on my own. Well, let me tell you, I did it! Every single rep, and it was not as hard as I thought. So I decided to do more. And I raised it to 230 lbs. And you know what? I did it for 10 reps! Oh my goodness! I was so happy, so ecstatic. Almost double the weight I’ve been using to train, and yet I am so much more capable. I was SO happy!

And again, we went home, and what did my body crave? Cottage cheese, fruit, raw veggies, and pumpkin spice Nuts’ N More peanut butter. Honestly, what more could I ask for? I crave a healthy diet, I’m growing increasingly stronger, and I feel great. My body may not be losing the fat I want, and as a matter of fact, quite a few of my clothes seem to be fitting tighter, but when I consider the shape my body is taking, the progress I’ve made both mentally and overall personally, I’m so happy! I’m obviously going to keep my fat in check, and will be monitoring it, but this strength is such a boost in self-esteem; I’m loving it!

Week 5 Day 3

What a way to wake up this morning – sore as could be! My quads hurt. My glutes hurt. My back muscles were tight. Oh boy! But I knew it was for a good reason, and for that I smiled.

Today was the kind of day where I thought everything was going superb, but it ended up being not quite what I thought. I felt so good doing laundry, taking care of the animals, got some grading done, as well as some computer work. While I’m in the full work mode, I began to notice the time go a little quicker. In fact, it went way too quick and I all of a sudden was in a rush to get ready for work. In fact, it was so much of a rush, I didn’t realize until 2 minutes before I had to leave that today was picture retakes day. Oh no… I was supposed to get retakes done today. So I did the best I could in two minutes (mainly changed my top and tried to fix my hair) and ran out the door.

The rest of the day went pretty good, minus a student doing something utterly ridiculous. But honestly today was a good teaching day. I was quite satisfied with it.

After work, I had a dentist consultation. I had been moulded for Invisalign, and this was my consultation to see how long it would take, how much it would cost, etc. I think it’s almost always safe to say that it’s going to be more than what I would like to pay, but they are honestly treating me so well, charging me for the minimum and taking some discounts out. I’m going ahead with it. It’ll start in November and will take 10 months. Have you ever seen the technology they have to figure these things out? It’s incredible! I got to watch my teeth’s movements and progress ahead of time for the whole ten months! Check it out sometime. It’s amazing.

After that, I came home. I spent some time talking with my husband until he was too hungry to talk. He needed food and decided to go out.

Now here’s a tip if you want to go with a person but you don’t want to get off track. Look up the nutrition for the menu before you go AND eat something! I grabbed a banana knowing I’d need to eat one later so might as well fill myself some with it now.

At the restaurant I had a side garden salad with a chicken breast. I also had already assessed my macros and found I had just enough room for a tiny sundae! Oh how that made me happy. This was definitely my treat for the week and it fit right in my macros!

Following the restaurant, we came home and got ready for the gym. I was so sore that I debated whether I should actually go or not, but decided since I had already eaten my banana (a workout food, not eaten on non-workout days) then I needed to go. So I did 25 minutes of steady state cardio on the recumbent bike and rolled a lot afterwards.

Now for the exciting part, pictures of my meals for the day!

Meal 1

Chicken and egg burrito. Absolutely delicious!

Meal 2

Never had one of these before! So good!

A sneak peak of what they look like. So much different than normal!

Meal 3

Super filling! Rice/quinoa dish with broccoli and chicken. I think I may have over microwaved the chicken… it got a little dry!

Meal 4

(Oops… I may have eaten this one too. I have to get better at this picture taking business! This meal was homemade hummus with rice crackers, celery and carrots.)

Meal 5

Greek and Chicken Chop Salad. Yum!

A Teacher’s Joy

Some of you fellow teachers will be able to relate to this, but it definitely was a euphoric moment for me yesterday.

Since I work in a smaller school, with an odd design, there are 4 select classrooms in my area that are very close together. In fact, we’re the only 4 classrooms in “the basement”. And as the second youngest classroom in the basement, I have the privilege of seeing my old students from time-to-time. The problem with this is that as they pass on from my grade, their schedules change and so our times for breaks do not line up. I do not see them as often as I’d like.

You see, every once in awhile, you get “that” class. The class you don’t want to get rid of. The class you want to teach forever. Don’t get me wrong, no class is perfect! But the dynamics of each class are different, and that’s what makes the total and complete difference. 

I had a great class last year. I really had a hard time letting them go. I was worried that my class this year wouldn’t be as personable, as attentive, or as connectable. But I have been blessed greatly with another good class. It is only the third week of school, but these kids have been great so far. I don’t feel completely connected to all of them yet, but this is a process that takes time. I do look forward to a great year.

But what hit me last night was being at my desk, after the dismissal bell, watching the students in the hallway get ready to go home. And it hit me. 

This is a teacher’s joy.

Being able to watch the students you struggle with, the students you work so hard for grow. You watch these big steps in their lives take place over the course of many years and you know that you had a part in that. And maybe this is just more sentimental to me because I don’t have my own children, but my students are my children. It’s hard to get to know these kids for so many days a year and have to say good-bye. I now can understand better, though to a lesser extent, parents that let children go to university or other places. It’s hard. But it is my joy to help them succeed and to pass them on to other teachers that will continue to help them succeed until they hit the time in their lives where they will be making their own decisions and choices. And it truly is a joy to watch them grow and become more the people they were meant to be. 

If you’re a teacher that is struggling, just remember that you were given this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these kids. It may not be easy but you do have the chance to make a difference, even if it is a forced smile in the morning. Sometimes all these kids need is a smile and pat on the back. Even if you have to compliment them on how proper they are sitting in their chair, find something to compliment them on each day. There are enough things in the world telling them that they are inadequate, be the person that makes them feel important. 

We, as teachers, have such an important role as teachers in the lives. We all need to take it seriously. These kids are not just the future leaders of the world, but in many ways are the leaders of the world, and there is no better time to help them than now.

First Day Jitters

So, I spent a lot of time stressing about this school year. I wasn’t ready to start. The school technically was not ready to start. I was warned about some of the students coming in my room. I stayed until 11:00 p.m. before I decided I was being more tired than productive, only to go home to my sick husband and walk the dogs, take care of our skinny pig, and finally get some food to go to bed for a few hours only to get up and get ready before my husband so that I could get all of the necessities done to get to work in time now that we’re sharing a vehicle and I have to drop him off at 6:40 in the morning. Ugh. Talk about less than rested.

But anyways, I came in this morning, put together, professional nonetheless. and decided to look optimistically upon my day, making up most of it as we went, and had an AWESOME day! I love my new students. I didn’t want to get too heavy into work today, but spent a lot of time going over procedures, expectations and just doing fun activities to get to know my students.

Awesome Day = Happy Teacher!

It was so very hot yesterday, so the teacher I work most closely with here at our school went and got the kids popsicles while I kept them outside a little longer. We were able to end the day by playing a few games. The students I was worried about started going out of their way to help me and being super respectful and polite, and it was just awesome. 

Now do I expect everyday to be like today? Absolutely not! But I can have wishes and dreams… right?

Hope you all are looking for those good things today. Remember, the good things are usually right there in front of you, you just have to keep yours eyes open!

 

That Feeling When You Start the Day Off Right

So, for the past 2 days, I’ve been doing a course in assessment. It’s an online course, but it runs live so I have to be there when the presenter is there. This is not a course you can do what you need to and come back later. The course runs from 9:00-4:30. It’s a long day.

Yesterday morning, I made it to the presentation early, but I felt as if there was so much more I wanted to do first. I mean, I’m at home. My list is long. I almost felt anxious about it. I didn’t get all the things done before the presentation as I had wanted.

This morning, I did more than I planned on, woke up later, and still got to the presentation on time. Talk about a pump! It just felt like I had got this day started so much better than yesterday, and it felt amazing!

Do you ever have days like that? Days where you feel like there is not enough time in the world to do what you want? Days where you actually conquer more and you just feel pumped for the rest of the day? I’m pretty sure I could deal with everyday starting off the way today did. I always feel amazing when I conquer a lot of things in the beginning of my day! Maybe if I get to bed earlier everyday, it could become a habit. We’ll have to see how this goes…

Some People Call It Crazy…

Sometimes I just have to sit back and think and realize what it is I do. Sometimes this can be good, sometimes it’s not so good. But today I want to bring up one of those good things in hopes that you’ll also realize a reflection of something good about yourself.

Today I realized that I am driven by passion.

It is normal for me to be up early in the morning. It is normal for me to get up, do dishes, do laundry, make my lunch/breakfast, and get ready for work. Of course, this means getting up at least an hour earlier than I need to, but I do it because I know that gives me time to accomplish things that won’t take away from my time with my husband and also provides him with the things he needs for the day.

But what I’ve really noticed, was that I also am willing to lose sleep over other things I’m passionate about as well. Last night, I didn’t come home from the gym until 12:30 a.m. My husband wasn’t with me, he didn’t force me to go even though I was tired, but I have goals and I have a vision of where I want to be in the gym, and that’s what got me to the gym and through my workout.

I also got up even earlier this morning in order to take care of my home businesses, to catch up with people that were sampling the products, or who would like to place orders. I am passionate about the things I sell, and that drives me.

Sometimes this means I run on very little sleep. Between the gym, cleaning and keeping the house (or at least trying to), spending a little time with my dogs, time with my husband, taking care of my teaching position, my students, and my two home businesses as well as keeping up with family since they all live far away, it takes a lot of time. I’ve also recently agreed to personal train a friend of mine and volunteered to sing at church once in awhile. By the time I add all of this together, I have literally no time. But what drives me through this sleepless, packed moments, is passion, and that’s something I’ve come to realize. Without a healthy mix of passion, support, God’s grace, and love, what I do would not be possible. I am very thankful that it is.

So what is your passion? What drives you to do the things you do?

I Could See It Coming…

There’s a thing that as teachers we just know. It’s something we can almost sense when it’s coming. Today, I sensed it.

Yesterday, I had eaten some very spicy, leftover East Indian food. Delicious, but left a silent burn for hours later. It burned not only my mouth, but my throat, my nose, and my stomach too. Needless to say, I didn’t feel the greatest for most of the day, and had what felt like hot flashes for quite awhile. I even considered I might have heartburn, but drinking cold glasses of water seemed to help… for the most part.

This morning, I woke up, and I knew something was off. Knowing how I had felt the day before, I thought nothing of it, and assumed it would go away as I really got into my day. Now, my husband was very tired this morning, and asked if I would drive myself to work. I live literally a minute away from work, yet for some reason, I wanted him to drive. I didn’t say it at first, but I had this feeling that I needed him; the kind of need when you’re young and sick and all you want is your mom. This was totally out of character for me and I had the hardest time figuring out what it was coming from, except the fact that I knew as if it were black and white that I wanted him to go with me and drive me to work.

He did get up and drive me to work, that blessed man I married. He will probably never understand how much it meant to me for such a simple act on a morning like today. Of course, arriving at work, I walked in with my usual “business-like” attitude, ready to dig in, ignoring the signs.

As teacher’s worship began, I figured my problem was that I needed to eat. Simple enough. But at the end of worship, my deepest fears were met. That 4-letter word I had been pushing out of my head… sick.

A review that 2 staff/teachers had been sick to their stomachs on the weekend. A report that 3 of our teachers were out for the day with the stomach flu, one not returning for the whole week on Doctor’s orders. Some students had the stomach flu and were not coming in. And the advice? Make sure you and your students wash your hands.

Do I need to say what I was thinking at that moment in time? “Just GREAT! This is what I need.” It really is that impeding doom. That feeling of knowing that your colleagues are dropping like flies, and you see it coming straight for your door. And it didn’t get any easier.

As I was teaching, my energy wavered. There are times I felt like it was all I could do to just make it through the lesson. The wishy-washy feeling of my stomach kept me alert for garbage cans all day, though I thankfully have not yet had to use one. The only moments of relief I felt were standing outside during recess with my students, the air crisp and cool which felt so nice being breathed deep into my lungs. But sitting in a classroom, teaching, disciplining, dealing with situations, all of these things I am required to do on a daily basis, were not easy. I was never more thankful for my husband to come rescue me at 4:05, the soonest I can leave the school.

And so here I am. I came home and went straight to bed, hoping to sleep it off. My husband went to the gym without me, and stopped at Wal-Mart to get supplies and ginger ale, and to Tim Hortons to get me chicken noodle soup and a bun. Simple food, hopeful remedies, and praying to kick this thing before it truly captures me.

Teachers? I feel your pain. Nurses and doctors? I’m sure it’s similar. Anyone else that works with children? I respect you. To anyone that doesn’t understand, be thankful for your health. It’s never a good moment to experience those sickly and what may feel like, deadly moments.