Overexertion is Overrated

This past week was Grade 6 exhibition and was by far one of the most demanding weeks of school for me. It was not stressful by any means, but it required an overabundant amount of participation, time, and preparation. I spent more time outside of my class than in my class. I know that Budi and my kids really missed me because of my absence. It's truly been hard trying to balance grade 6 exhibition with my grade 3 class. I'm not quite sure if the whole set-up is ideal, in fact it isn't: it's impractical. However, there's no changing what's already been planned out.

I worked with the kids setting up their exhibition displays in the gymnasium. Some kids were easier to work with than others. It took a creative eye to set up each display so to uphold strategic eye-catching appeal. When that was done, the performances were practiced over and over again. Each group had a skit, dance, song, or poem that they had to deliver to the audience. My job was to keep the kids on task backstage, and it proved to be more demanding than I expected. Although it sounds rather easy, and it was, it proceeded to take any ounce of energy away from me.

I spent lots of extra time at school and lost a lot of sleep, due to the fact that I was wound up and on a continuous wheel pondering the "what ifs."

By Friday I felt like a walking zombie, looking to steal any spark of zeal that was gifted in my direction. My body felt like mush, my eyes were puffed and protested staying open, and a slow crawl towards sickness was upon me.

When all was said and done, I came home with a fever and a nasty cough. I slept through most of the weekend, and when I wasn't doing that I was in bed watching movies.

Since March, I feel as if I have not been the competent teacher I once was because of all the many commitments that have been demanded of me. Yes, I understand that I will always have committees and commitments, but I've come to realize that our school is on a "strained" budget (one similar to an adult that has Macy's taste on a Walmart budget) and understaffed. This being said, I find that throughout the year everyone seems to feel overwhelmed by this, like I have this week.

As the end of the school year approaches, I can't help but think of the movie "Freaky Friday" - where Jake sneaks Anna into the Teacher's Lounge to fix her test. Anna is worried about getting caught, but Jake says something to the point of "Don't worry, they're fried. They won't even notice you." Then you proceed to see all these teachers suffering from exhaustion, lack of brain stimulation, and much more. I definitely see some similarities of this scene and my co-workers. A summer break is much needed to refresh and renew strength and sanity.

Counting down the days...13 school days to be exact....

Until next time....