When I first began teaching, I would start planning things for the next year.  It was a simple way to soften the blow of losing 140 students and all the emotional baggage that goes with it - the guilt that some students were still mostly just a name, the deeper guilt in the fact that I was relieved about a few leaving, the thought that I would really miss some of them, the satisfaction of finished projects.  So, I would take the last few days of school and just plan the hell out of the next year. 

It's different now.  Now, I look at how busy my schedule is and figure out how I can cut out parts.  I make up my schedule ahead of time when I remember the feeling of burn-out rather than when I am overly refreshed during the summer. 

So, what will I cut out? I think I'm going to let students do more of the administrative (even paperwork) side of the IMPACT program.  I'll leave it to the TA's to develop a system that will work.  It's hard to let go of the control, but I think it will empower them.  I'm going to drop my membership in any committees and I will do nothing for "school improvement," except teach students as well as I can teach.  I will do fewer projects, but spend time with the students on the detail work. 

That's all I have so far.  Any suggestions?

 

Share this post: Email It | Bookmark It | Digg This | Reddit | Stumble It
Add to favorites: Favorite Post | Favorite Blog | Favorite Author