No one can prepare you for how much work it actually takes to run a classroom. There are lessons to plan, parents to email, journals to write, books to find, materials to buy; the list goes on and on. The beginning of the school year is particularly busy; open houses, parent orientations, and staff meetings. For teachers, these are tasks that are done lovingly every year. In my position at the Nature Center, I am not only a preschool teacher, I am also a part of a nonprofit organization that runs other events throughout the year. I am involved in many of these.
While sitting in my staff meeting this afternoon, I started to feel the stress creep up on me. I had letters to write, notes to make, events to prepare for, and on top of it all, homework to do. I was going to be giving up four nights of my life next week to promote the preschool and/or the Nature Center. I decided I needed a few minutes to gather myself. After going to find sushi and chocolate with my room mate/co-teacher after work, I felt as though things were in perspective again.
I teach because I love it. I work for the Nature Center because I believe in its mission and its effect on the community. I want to be a part of all of the happenings within my company. The people that I work with are of a rare breed; they work hard for a beautiful cause and receive little in return. I have to remember that everything I do is for my students, my colleagues, my community, and my planet; even if I have to give up my weekends from time to time.
No comments:
Post a Comment