One of the benefits to our school district changing over to a year round schedule (not really year round, but close) is that it offers an opportunity for a long week and a half break after each 9 weeks. The good thing is that you can relax and rejuvenate yourself before starting another 9 weeks. These long stretches are okay, but they can be quite tedious if there are no other breaks in between. For me, I’m having a chance to enjoy my favorite hobbies and drink as much coffee as I’d like.
I had originally planned to go to the mountains for Fall Break, but I chose to simply stay close to home. I had taken on a lot of sewing projects and really needed that time to finish up a few so that I could move on to more. Plus, I wouldn’t be able to take my grandchildren where I wanted to go until closer to time to go back.
I have a doctor’s appointment scheduled for the middle of the week, and I hope that I’ll be able to tell her something good about this break. For me, this break means everything. It determines whether or not I can hold myself together enough to complete the year without it stressing me out. And I have been stressed. I easily become overwhelmed by the behaviors I see on a daily basis in the classroom. It is such a change from several years ago.
Back then, you only had 1 or 2 students who were disruptive. Now, you only have 1 or 2 out of a class of 28 that isn’t. The problem with this is that it puts you, the teacher, in a constant state of stress. Cortisol levels rise. Problems with health increases. I feel like I have to be in mean teacher mode constantly. If I try to be myself, I’m a pushover.
This is a pivotal year for me. My stress levels have been keeping my blood pressure raised and my diabetes out of control with glucose readings bouncing between 300 to over 600. I’m in a constant state of tired. Our break started last Wednesday, and I tried to allow myself to go places… do things, but by Friday, I was needing to sleep. And I slept for three days. Not the entire day, but I took 4-5 hour naps during the day. I had to. I couldn’t function. At least I’m finally feeling rested.
For the remainder of the week, I’m planning to stop side activities on Wednesday to grade and to prep for next week’s classes, so I can spend the remainder of break having fun with my grandchildren. I’ve already planned out the baking we will do and movies we will watch.
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