zombie

In the back of my mind, I can hear The Cranberries' song Zombie. Don't think I didn't just go to iTunes and put it on.

I say you can define a teacher as a zombie not because we begin to look haggard and blood thirsty (though some would argue that we do) but because we turn into beings that do not sleep and move constantly with one thing on our mind. For me, the one thing on my mind is my class. I'm checking off and adding to a incessant to-do list.

In your head, in your head,  zombie, zombie, zombie... just took a lyrical pause there...

Anyway. Yesterday we started week 6 of this school year. I've been back and forth on how I feel about this school year. Here is what I think:

1. It might be the best group of students I've had yet. 
2. I LOVE THIRD GRADE. They are so sweet. And willing to learn. And trustworthy.
3. I LOVE MY TEAM! I have the best fellow 3rd grade teachers! I adored my fourth grade team so I was sad to move to a new grade, but in third grade I have felt welcome, valued, and loved! And I love them back!
4. My schedule is flawless. You know how every year you wish things were moved around? You can't get everything done, or kids are pulled at the wrong time, or lunch comes too late, or your planning time is too short, or whatever.... well this year, I LOVE my schedule.
5. The parents of the kids in this group are astounding. They are involved and supportive. I have gotten a lot of help from them. It helps that I've had a lot of their kids before. ;o)
6. We have new administration. A new principal. A new assistant principal. Our building has been turned upside down. But the changes have been good. It's tough to make so many new adjustments, but they have been sensational.

I wish I had someone follow me around all day writing down what I do. Because when I finally stop working, I wonder why I'm so exhausted and what I did all day. One day I sent my husband a text of everything I had to do--as I did it. Other than him wanting to strangle me for all the text messages, he was BLOWN AWAY with all that teachers are required to do. Then I got a mini-lecture about how typing text messages was wasting valuable time. Though I was somewhat disgruntled with his irrational scrutiny, I was inwardly happy that he finally understood that even text messages can't (and shouldn't) make it into my busy day.

It was simply for scientific purposes, so there.

The point was that between the emails to read & write, papers to grade, lessons to make and prepare, assorted paperwork to complete, I have to teach. I am on contract from 7:30 until 3:00 with one hour of planning time and a 45 minute lunch. But I'm expected to complete quite a bit.

All of these things leave me feeling like a zombie...