HEALTH ISSUES

This year it became very obvious to me the importance of remaining healthy as a teacher. Given the physical aspects of teaching (standing long periods of time and having to be "on" practically all day), it is quite difficult to survive in moments of sickness of injury. At the beginning of the year, I had rather serious back pain for about the first two weeks of school. The situation was so bad that I had to sit at times during class, and as soon as work was over, I would go home, eat, and get directly into bed by no later than 5 o'clock or 5:30. I did not dare do any work like grading or the like because I thought that if I did not lie down the entire night, there would be no way that I could go to work the next day. It was not a good experience, and it made me have a much better appreciation for health, something that I often take for granted. Thankfully, after a visit to the doctor and taking some of the medication that was prescribed, my back eventually stopped hurting.

Almost as soon as my back stopped hurting, I started suffering from either the onset of a cold or sinus problems, don't know which one. Again, I would get home from school, drug myself, and lie down. While the cold, sinus issues, whatever it was, was not extremely debilitating, I did not feel well and was not in a good mood. Of course, these things matter when your job is to work with children all day, and when you are already lacking patience, as I readily admit. I honestly considered taking a day off from school to let my body rest, but I did not because I have never taken a sick day and don't want to start -- I may not be able to stop :-)

Anyway, I'm fine now and have almost gotten caught up from the three weeks of not doing much work at home. Hopefully my body won't fail me the rest of the way. I was actually drafted to work the concession stand of our football game this week. I am now seriously debating backing out though, since I am afraid that it might irritate my back like it did last year.

THIS YEAR VS. LAST YEAR

Unlike many, my second year of teaching has not started off as well as my first year of teaching for several reasons. Last year, I was excited about teaching and was still hopeful that teaching might be my career of choice. This year, I have already concluded that teaching K12 is not a lifetime career for me. I am well aware of my strengths and weaknesses and am very honest with myself about my shortcomings. I know that my personality is definitely not a fit for teaching children. I don't have the type of patience required in order to be an effective teacher of children. I need to teach adults. While I know that there is a reason for me teaching in high school last year and even this year (whatever that may be), I also know that teaching is not for me.

This year has also not been as good as last year because of my class schedule. I only have one section of the only course that that I actually like to teach, and 5 sections of the subjects that I don't like (and even told my administrators that). I am not an actor. I am an open book. Whatever I think and feel, it is pretty obvious to the world. Therefore, my less than enthusiasm about what I teach is likely very apparent to my students. I can't make them be excited about learning something that I'm not excited about teaching.

On top of the above, I have about 60 more students this year as compared to last year. Therefore, in many ways, I have to operate my class very differently than last year. I spend much more time controlling behavior this year. Like I said, I don't have patience for that.

So, obviously I haven't had the typical the second year is better than the first experience. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with my attitude, but that's not an easy thing to change. Good thing is that I have done many things for longer periods of time than this that I don't like, so I'll continue to teach this year, and the students will hopefully continue to learn. At the same time, I'll be searchig and applying for my next job.