Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The Tuesday Effect
It's nice to know that some things don't change after decades and decades (and decades) of teaching. It's Tuesday night and I'm channeling my first-year teaching self.
As a beginning teacher in a tough school in the Dallas Independent School District, I would go through the same cycle, week after week: I would spend all weekend polishing up the most perfect lesson plans ever. I imagined what I would say and how the students would react. It was beautiful. Masterful. Thoughtful.
Then Monday came.
Monday came and I got a little bit behind.
Then, by the end of the day Tuesday, I was completely behind, thrown off track, and feeling buried in a mire of papers.
I call it The Tuesday Effect.
And if you think this is the part where I tell you how I've come so far since those first years, and how I'm so on top of things and have it all figured out now...well, you'd be wrong. It's happening again, right on schedule, with technology thrown into the mix.
The only thing I've got figured out now that I didn't know then is that it's okay -- even necessary -- to leave the avalanche of work for tomorrow and get a good night's sleep. Wednesday will come and it will all work out...somehow.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Soooo true! Last night I got home, at 7, after spending the entire Tuesday in a 90 degree plus building, with a huge bag of work that I was going to do for today. And then the power went out for three hours. And I fell asleep on the couch waiting. The work isn't done for today, but at least I'm rested and ready for Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteFunny how we all feel the same. After 16 years of Everyday Math I am teaching Singapore Math. I had a one hour training last week, so I'm figuring out how to do it as I go along. Luckily I know they will get it. I didn't even bring anything home last night. Thank god for a long weekend to figure out next steps.
ReplyDeleteI love teaching!!!
Mary Lee, Your label for this post "Not Drowning But Teaching" is hilarious! I clicked on it to find other posts under that category...Is it time for a trip to Pink Moon bakery? ; )
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should have a special jar for these "Tuesday Moments"--You could collect (literally) your "Not Drowning But Teaching" thoughts and put them in a jar... and read/revisit them at the end of the year, or before the start of the next teaching year, and celebrate with a special sugary treat?
And/or collect money in a jar for each moment you feel this way, and at the end of each month, treat yourself? You should come up with some variation that works for you, because you deserve it!
Wednesday is here--and Friday is not too far away. Hope this note finds you well--I loved your Reading Log thoughts and I hope this isn't the cause of your Tuesday pains : /
Sincerely, Lisa
Absolutely yes on all accounts. I am still working on last week's LP. Just today I finally touched on every subject lightly but with a sense of energy and commitment.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this! It is nice to know that I am not alone and that it is ok that I left all that work sitting on my desk and I am sitting at home on the couch!
ReplyDelete