Teaching is what I have done for a very, very long time. There is a part of teaching I am passionate about. I love creating and delivering possibilities to kids. I enjoy watching them take those possibilities and molding them into their own creations. The process is always different as the classes and children are always different. This keeps things continually fresh for me and I like fresh.
I do not like the mundane parts of teaching. I often put them off because they are not what I am passionate about. Do you know what I am talking about? Filing, reports, cleaning, organizing, report cards, and forms are not my cup of tea. I love to document and record. I even love to assess but what I do with the mess when I am through with it, is a problem. I pile most of it on top of a portable file I can tote between school and home. Eventually, when conference time is approaching, I get the paperwork into the files so I appear organized.
Report cards must be complete in two weeks. Then conferences begin. I have stopped my routine to assess each student individually. The kids continue to work and learn but without me coaching them. The pile of paperwork grows larger. I feel overwhelmed right now. Where to start? File first…clean later…begin report cards?
Meanwhile, there are rough drafts of non-fiction books to read. There are new stories to pull from the bookroom. There is a new unit of math to begin. There is a social studies unit to continue. There are author notebooks to peruse. I am thinking about a year end science unit and how I will deliver it this year. Yes I love coaching and guiding students through a myriad of possibilities and no I don’t like feeling overwhelmed with those mundane day to day chores. So here I am writing about them…still putting them off.
A teacher's work is never done. Oh sorry, I guess that was mis-quoted, however I still believe it. It is endless isn't it? Sometimes what I do is try to trick myself by doing an hour of the mundane, so I can move on to the good parts. I really do switch back & forth so I don't have to slog through the stuff I don't like continually. Good luck on the files, the forms and the grade cards.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain! I often wish I had a clone of me, or a secretary who could take care of those "mundane" tasks and I could do what I do best--teach!
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean. I'd rather put my time and energy into the kids instead of the paperwork and other must do's. Good luck with report cards and conference preparation. It will soon be done and then you can get back to what you love.
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you. I love the art of teaching, the relationships, working with kids, etc. I hate the paperwork and record keeping stuff. Same for mothering- I love hanging out with my boys- I hate housework and laundry and cooking and bills! If I were a rich woman…
ReplyDeleteI hear ya! I think this is also the reason why so many young teachers burn out within the first five years. There is too much on our plate, yet we are so dedicated to our students and beliefs and teaching. Hang in there! The benefit (of some) of the mundane paperwork is that you will know where to continue to move those kiddos forward - The busy work will soon be complete and then we can finish off the year strong!
ReplyDeleteI could have written this slice. I have been carrying around a tote filled withe evaluations that need to be written, home to school to home back to school . . . Tomorrow I plan to settle in for a few hours and just get it done! Good luck with your pile. - Juliann
ReplyDeleteAs I write this comment I too am procrastinating the piles of paperwork. This overwhelmed feeling is the most daunting part of teaching. I am all for finding ways to be more efficient...not sure what they are yet, but I'll keep looking. Good luck with the mundane. ~Theresa
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