extremely tired

This last week was the end of the term, and I actually stuck to my deadline of all work was due one week before the end of the term with no exceptions.  Amazingly, it worked, and on Friday, the last day of the term, all work was in and the grades were finished.  Of course, I still had a couple of changes to make over the weekend, but it was definitely not as stressful as it usually is at the end of the term.

However, for some reason, I have been extremely worn out since then.  I actually ended up with a migraine headache on Monday, and I spent the day in bed because I did not sleep at all the night before.  Today was spent playing catch-up because I had a sub, but again, it wasn't that stressful because my sub actually followed the lesson plans.  So, why did I come home this afternoon and sleep for three hours?  The only explanation I can give is that my body is ready for spring break one week before it is actually spring break, or I am actually always this tired, and teaching full-time and raising four kids is taking its toll.  I love my job, and I love my kids, but teaching is definitely not a career you should choose if you want to sleep.  I joke around that I sleep for a sport, but lately, I fall asleep anywhere.  I was actually rocking my baby to sleep for his nap this afternoon, and I fell asleep while holding him.  I'm pretty sure that he fell asleep after I did, but he let me hold him in my sleep and was content to just be there with me.  So, for those of you who are thinking of becoming teachers take my advice and get into a routine now.  Go to bed early, and get up early.   If you end up with a family later on, make sure you keep them on the same routine so you don't end up like me; falling asleep every time you sit down.

criticized unfairly

I really try to not let what parents say bother me, but I have had a hard time this past week.  Maybe part of it is that I doubt my decisions as it is, and when parents criticize what I decide to do in the classroom, it makes it even worse.  I am currently teaching The Taming of the Shrew to my classes, and I know how important it is for students to view Shakespeare rather than just read it.  It also helps a lot when they can see it put in more modern terms, and they can relate to the story as if they would experience it in modern times.  Also, part of the core is that students be able to analyze how other authors interpret and use Shakespeare's themes and works.  With that in mind, I went to the assistant principal and asked if he thought I could show 10 Things I Hate About You which is rated PG-13.  He told me that I could, but just to be safe to send home a permission slip.  I did, and I explained the reasons for watching the movie in class on the permission slip, and I explained that if parents did not want their students to see the movie, then they would be given an alternate assignment in the computer lab.  Since then, a parent told me about the Clearplay DVD player, and I purchased one out of my personal money so I could show the movie to my students without having to worry about whether or not I would be able to skip the parts that I felt were inappropriate.  All I asked for was a simple yes or no and a parent signature.  Since then, I have had two parents who have criticized me on the permission slip or in emails.  I've tried to let it go, but I feel like I am being judged, and they are telling me that I am leading their children to hell by showing this movie to them.  Part of this is due to the fact that one parent who criticized and told me I am "stooping to the gutter" is a librarian, and all that parent had to do was say no he/she did not want his/her student in the classroom on those days.  This parent also told me that this movie is not appropriate for our community, and I really wanted to ask who made him/her the judge for everyone in the community?  Do parents really think that I would choose to watch a movie in my classroom just to expose their children to inappropriate materials?  I am not trying to be Satan's tool and lead the students to hell.  I simply want my students to be able to understand Shakespeare and see how his writings and themes are still relevant today.  I hope that they learn from what we read and view in class; I am not there to simply entertain.  I wish that I would have had the guts to send these parents the following article about what teachers would like to hear from parents instead of the criticism we hear all of the time.  Instead of doing that, I will post the link here, and if you like you can read it.  The next time you speak to a teacher, please do not be so quick to judge and tell us that we are evil.  We are professionals, and we deserve to be treated as such.  If you have an issue with what I am doing in my classroom, please read the materials I send home, and be aware that I do have a purpose for all that I do.  I definitely don't get paid to entertain.  If I wanted to do that, I would be working in Hollywood or Las Vegas, not in the public school system.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/06/living/teachers-want-to-tell-parents/index.html