I'm Exhausted. But We Got This.

 

 

I saw this on my Twitter feed and it struck a chord.  Caution: The following is a pep talk and a whole lotta personal opinion.

Every teacher on my end of the hall is burnt and over it already. Every single one of us. Being forced to teach in a pandemic, wondering which kids will bring it, who will get it, what will happen, and will I take it home.
This is worse than online by parsecs. https://t.co/zJfxFje4aN

— Doug Robertson (@TheWeirdTeacher) October 3, 2021

At first I answered this way. Proper exhausted.

I thought it was just me. https://t.co/ZmHHyXPXsI

— Gwyneth Jones (@GwynethJones) October 3, 2021

But then, after a few hours of thinking about it, and a 2 hour Sunday nap  - I added this:

Although I agree with this, and I am exhausted every weekend, our kids need us!

This might not have been what we trained for or expected but if not us, then who? Let’s step it up we got this! #ExtraNapsOnWeekends

— Gwyneth Jones (@GwynethJones) October 3, 2021

So yeah, I'm exhausted. I'm anxious. Stressed out. Not a little scared. SO OVER Standardized Testing.  Oh and .....weirdly and at unexpected moments, quietly freaked out. Not like a panic attack - but panic attack adjacent. 

BUT....It's our job.

This might not have been what we trained for or expected but if not us, then who? Or whom? 

Let’s step it up - we got this! Front line workers, nurses, doctors, police, fire, other public servants -- they can't give up - and neither can we. C'mon --- We can do this. I know that sounds simplistic, but really? What is the alternative? Moaning and groaning that we can't do this  - doesn't solve anything. It will only drag you down. But I get it, the fear is real. Now, Maryland has a pretty high vaccination rate -- and I have to admit, the former waitress...err server in me remembers to go with the "fake it till you make it" mentality.  Gosh forbid this also sounds like Toxic Positivity - I swear, sometimes I just am trying to convince myself. 

Then after the clouds - a bright spot appears. A kid will say thank you and that they LOOOOOOOVED the book. A 6th grade class I cover when we don't have a sub - cheers as I come in the door. My assistant brings me a cookie. But man oh man am I glad this isn't my first year teaching. THAT would be a REAL challenge. God Bless and prayers to all you baby first year Teachers & Library Media Specialists. If you have questions or want to vent - you can always email me!

 

 

How am I coping?

Sounds like a good recipe! Hope this week is a good one and…half term is coming 😊

— Elly Griffiths (@ellygriffiths) October 4, 2021

 

SQUEE! I really try not to be an author pesterer but I am an Elly Griffiths fangirl, so the fact that she replied to my Tweet had me really squeal IRL. 

What do you think? Am I being too Pollyanna here? Maybe because I'm retiring this year I feel like I can tie a knot and hold on until June.....but our kids NEED us!

Please do comment and tell me what you think and feel.