Juggling!

Are you feeling like this octopus, juggling a million balls at once?
You're not alone!

This is the time of the school year when teachers realize how overwhelmed they actually are. Demands seem to come from many people, including principals, teammates, students, parents, and more! You're writing your SLO and PPG, meeting with your teams, and scheduling conferences. You're attending IEP meetings, coming into work on Saturdays, and staying up late planning the perfect lesson. New teachers (and veteran teachers) are forced to prioritize when they realize that they cannot possibly do everything for everyone.

This is, for most people, the Phase of Disillusionment.

Can you relate to any of these?

• "New teachers begin questioning both their commitment and their competence."
• "Many new teachers get sick during this phase."
• "They are faced with back-to-school night, parent conferences, and their first formal evaluation by the site administrator."
• "At this point, the accumulated stress of the first-year teacher coupled with months of excessive time allotted to teaching often brings complaints from family members and friends."

Here is the good news . . . you're doing it! 

You're teaching, you're changing lives by the day, and you're making a difference. 

You have teammates, colleagues, friends, and families to support you. 

You have students who look up to you. 

Remember why you became a teacher, how your students are learning and growing, and don't be afraid to say, "no" or let some things go. 

Share in the comments below:

• What do you think teachers should spend their time and energy doing at this time of year? 
• What are YOU spending your time and energy doing? 
• What have you decided to postpone for a while (or not do at all)?