I was browsing around through my "old threads" page--what a fun feature--and found one I'd started about "Teacher Burnout". I was blown away then and I'm blown away now by the wisdom and comfort I received from my fellow TDPRIers, quite a few of whom are teachers too. I'd like to file an update report.
That was 2014. I got myself back pretty well rightside up and taught four more years, then retired at age 65. The last two years at graduation I was the faculty speaker, selected by the graduating class, and on the last of those speeches, the whole gymful of people rose and gave me a standing ovulation. That to me was the love I'd put in to my job, come back to me. Made me cry.
That was 2018. I stayed home a full year, then part of the next year, and finally I did a few stints subbing for English teachers, fun and easy because I knew many of the kids. Then the pandemic, the school shut down, and I went back home and stayed there.
This year, just to keep my options open, I renewed my teaching license, filled out some paperwork, and took the "trainings" required so I can substitute for teachers in our district. I don't plan to do it much--don't have to do it at all--but it's good to be able to pick up a few quick bucks when you need. . .you know.
There's a K-8 "charter school" operating in one of the buildings formerly closed by our local district. Longboring story, more than I know anyway, but it's a cool school, set up to be unique the way I guess charter schools are, and they seemed glad to have me. I did three days there last month, grades 6, 8, and 4 respectively, and yesterday put 528 bucks in the bank. After taxes. Yo.
I took another day there Monday this week, with a very zippy bunch of 5th graders. Wore me out. Walked out to the beach yesterday with Mrs. Thought, to the mouth of the mighty Sixes. On my way to bed last night I checked the board, and the same zippy class was posted for tomorrow (well, today now) and I signed up. I think (teachers' comments clue me) this is the zippiest group in the school, and we'd might as well get used to each other. They're very noisy, but not in any way vicious. We'll get along.
I think, I hope, this school will have enough sub opportunities to keep me happy--I'm thinking three or four days a month, no more than ten--without my having to establish myself at the high school again. It's a special place. The younger kids are fun for me. I've met several staff members, a couple of whom were former students of mine, one whose kids were in my classes before, and one (so far) a former colleague. I've likewise found several students whose parents did time in my classes.
I think I'm going to very much enjoy working when I want to, and not working when I don't. Thanks for reading.
That was 2014. I got myself back pretty well rightside up and taught four more years, then retired at age 65. The last two years at graduation I was the faculty speaker, selected by the graduating class, and on the last of those speeches, the whole gymful of people rose and gave me a standing ovulation. That to me was the love I'd put in to my job, come back to me. Made me cry.
That was 2018. I stayed home a full year, then part of the next year, and finally I did a few stints subbing for English teachers, fun and easy because I knew many of the kids. Then the pandemic, the school shut down, and I went back home and stayed there.
This year, just to keep my options open, I renewed my teaching license, filled out some paperwork, and took the "trainings" required so I can substitute for teachers in our district. I don't plan to do it much--don't have to do it at all--but it's good to be able to pick up a few quick bucks when you need. . .you know.
There's a K-8 "charter school" operating in one of the buildings formerly closed by our local district. Longboring story, more than I know anyway, but it's a cool school, set up to be unique the way I guess charter schools are, and they seemed glad to have me. I did three days there last month, grades 6, 8, and 4 respectively, and yesterday put 528 bucks in the bank. After taxes. Yo.
I took another day there Monday this week, with a very zippy bunch of 5th graders. Wore me out. Walked out to the beach yesterday with Mrs. Thought, to the mouth of the mighty Sixes. On my way to bed last night I checked the board, and the same zippy class was posted for tomorrow (well, today now) and I signed up. I think (teachers' comments clue me) this is the zippiest group in the school, and we'd might as well get used to each other. They're very noisy, but not in any way vicious. We'll get along.
I think, I hope, this school will have enough sub opportunities to keep me happy--I'm thinking three or four days a month, no more than ten--without my having to establish myself at the high school again. It's a special place. The younger kids are fun for me. I've met several staff members, a couple of whom were former students of mine, one whose kids were in my classes before, and one (so far) a former colleague. I've likewise found several students whose parents did time in my classes.
I think I'm going to very much enjoy working when I want to, and not working when I don't. Thanks for reading.
