As of Wednesday, I have officially been teaching for TEN years! But this has been the hardest year for me. I know that I haven't posted in a LONG time....I have not been able to get my school (or personal life, for that matter) to keep from spinning out of control. I feel like I have been skating on thin ice.
A few months ago, I posted about the new evaluation system that my county has implemented. Oh. My. Goodness. I am supposed to have three formal evaluations completed this year. My first one back in the fall lasted for two hours!!! It was one of the most stressful things I have ever been through professionally. I am sure the next one will be soon, and I am feeling such anxiety.
Sometimes I feel that in an attempt to keep educators "honest" in their teaching and the need to hold people accountable is going to make teachers burn out. I truly believe that is one of the reasons that it has been so long since I last posted. I have been too overwhelmed.
I have also had a hard time in my personal life. My Granddaddy was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few years ago. He began a steady decline this past fall, and on November 17, he lost his battle. My mom, Aunt, and I were with him when he very peacefully passed. He was 94 and just an amazing person. He was my last living grandparent, and it has just been very hard on me. I think of and miss him daily. I know that he is in a better place, and that does give me a lot of comfort.
It is a new year. I want (read NEED) a fresh start.
Thank you for hanging with me through this post. I had forgotten how therapeutic blogging can be!
Happy Saturday!
I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather. I think a lot of teachers are feeling the stress of the new evaluation systems that are being implemented all over the country. In my district, tenured teachers only have one observation, but the stress of the preparation is nuts. Some of us have 9 page lesson plans that try to meet the needs of the 47 page rubric on which we will be judged. It's crazy. Good luck with your remaining observations. Mine is coming up on Feb. 28th. My lesson plan is due by Feb. 14th, my pre-observation meeting is on the 21st, and my portfolio...well I haven't even started it yet! YIKES!
ReplyDelete☺ Tanya
First Grade is Fantabulous!
I'm sorry to hear about your grandpa and all the school troubles. Keeping my fingers crossed for you that 2013 will be amazing:))
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Grade ONEderful
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:( I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you lost your grandfather, it is hard even when we know they are in a better place.m the evaluation process sounds painful best of luck.
ReplyDeleteJill
I'm so sorry about your grand father. God could have given him to anybody but he chose to give him to you! I'm sure you made him proud!! May the memories of him always make you smile. :)
ReplyDeleteOur state is enforcing a new evaluation scale. My district is going to be a pilot (guinea pig) to practice on. Our principal gave us the scale print out today. After she got finished going over it, I wanted to throw up!! (I think she wanted to also.) All these scales these people come up with have never been in a classroom or have forgotten what the real world is like...If you ever need to vent, hop on over to my blog. I will listen.
Christy :)
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