The End of the School Year is Near

...And the Count Down Begins

Casual Caffeine boost by a river

As a first year teacher I can certainly say that I finally understand that making time for myself is a BIG DEAL!  This year, as with all first years, was a tough one to say the least.  While tough an frustrating, it was also rewarding AND enlightening.  Here are some things that I learned from riding my struggle bus of a first year:

• Sick Days:  As a first year teacher, your immune system is terrible... like horrible.  Try not to use your sick days unless you need to. (sick days roll over to the next year!) but also know its OK to use them if need be.  I got sick so much I am almost out of days and School is out in one month!
• Be a "Yes Man," but know when to draw the line.  I totally get it you want to make a good impression and be a team player!  and since you aren't secure in your job until the third year in the district you want them to know you are flexible.  BUT you must know when its too much.  I started to take on a lot of clubs and go on field trips with clubs and be a part of events on campus.  It made my immune system worse, and it made me burn out really quickly.  Show that yo are a team player, while also making sure you know when enough is enough
• Don't take your work home with you too often.  You don't want the stress of work to follow you to your sacred peaceful place.  I understand you will be overloaded with work and at some point you will need to bring it home with you, and that is perfectly fine, but try not to do it often.  Trust me you'll be thankful for the break.
• There are good days and bad days.  I can't tell you how many times I cried.... That's all I have to say about that.
• Amazing Lessons will bomb.  Sad I know.  I can't tell you how many times I was so excited to teach a lesson that I spent days creating and it completely flopped.  I learned you just gotta pick your self up and reevaluate.
• You can't be a super teacher all the time.  You teach!  That's a super power in its self!  Accept the fact, however, that it is not realistic to be perfect and amazing at everything you do.  Pick and choose your battles!

BUT......

• Kids will fight FOR you!  Mid year I was switched from English to Drama.  My English kids started a petition and hung posters to keep me in my classroom as their teacher.  I can't explain how happy I felt that these kids cared about me and keeping me as their teacher!
• They notice when you CARE!  I can't tell you how many times kids have come up to me and told me thank you for believing in them.  I have had so many grateful hearts that have shown me appreciation just for saying "I refuse to give up on you."
• GIFTS!  Ok I totally get that this is selfish to say, but I got a bunch of gifts from my kids.  And I'm talking about high school kids.  I've gotten horse stuffed animals (I am obsessed with horses), Tea and tea cups (i you know me I drink tea religiously!), and a bunch of other cool things!

At the end of the day all that matters is yo love what you do and you make a difference.  I hope I never come to the point i my life where I hate what I do.  When that day comes it might be time for me to move on.  Teachers teach for the heart not for the pay check.  

With that being said, I'm exhausted and ready for the year to be over, but still grateful to have this job.  If yo are reading this, do me a favor and thank a teacher!

-Lauren Ashley