Believe it or not, my job doesn’t consist of a bunch of students standing on our desks and yawping barbarically all the time–like I wish it did (and if you don’t get the reference, repent immediately by renting Dead Poets Society). My job doesn’t consist of every student waiving their Hermione Hands all around until I call them so they can express some longwinded thought. Believe it or not, my classroom is not all love notes all the time.

Sometimes kids fall asleep in my class. And I’m not a thick-skinned enough veteran enough to say it happens to the best of us, even though I remember falling asleep in Mr. Klinger’s class in high school even though he was awesome.

Sometimes (ok, a lot of the time) students don’t turn in their homework.
And sometimes (ok, a lot of the time) I feel like a just plain crap teacher with a mountain to climb and no shoes to climb it with.
Today, for no particular reason I suppose, I feel discouraged. Sometimes, teaching is like that. Today there will be no yawping for me.

  1. Jan 11, 2013
    Cali Brown

    Promise: You're not the only one. 😀

    Reply
  2. Jan 12, 2013
    Sirpa Grierson

    I just want to reassure you that your students think you are fabulous and discouragement is a tool of "he-who-shall-not-be-named." So be gentle with yourself and know that you are in the right profession and learning all the fabulous life lessons (including sleeping students) that come with the territory. As Bob Marley wrote: Dont' worry. Be Happy!" http://www.lyricsondemand.com/b/bobmarleylyrics/dontworrybehappylyrics.html

    Reply
  3. May 14, 2013
    The Mormon Monk

    I bet you're a fabulous teacher, Sierra!

    Reply