#prekclassroom

Unfortunately, I began this school year in hopes to document, share, and meet other teachers online. As this being my second year of teaching, I wanted to do more, but I have been slacking...

It has been a hectic school year, but nonetheless I have been blessed. My co-teacher and I have made such a great team and have such a loving and energetic bunch. BUT... it has been a tough ride.

I have been stretched thin by administration, slowly losing my careless energy and charm. People have begun noticing it, and that is when I knew it needs to change. I came into the teaching world knowing it wouldn’t be easy, but deeply in love with the pre-k world. Ever since I stepped into my first preschool, I have been hooked. So much involved, so much to do, so much FUN.

Don’t get me wrong, I still have my fun days. Like today, when of the children who was having an especially difficult morning, ran into the classroom from the bathroom and gave me a big hug. When one of my girls randomly looked up to me, put her arms out for a hug, and said “I love you”. When I see children who couldn’t quite master their alphabet, spell and sound out letters in words they find around them.

But it isn’t quite the same anymore. There are too many people in charge. Not only is it difficult being part of the Head Start portion of Education, but we also deal with a very low-income abbott district, and we are being pulled in 50 different directions. Every day there is a new rule being enforced, a new policy in place, I can’t catch up with the memos and e-mails.

I’m torn. I am constantly being held up on a pedestal for being one of the best teachers in the school. For my perseverance and potential to be someone great. But at what extent? I’m the youngest teacher in my school out of 25+ classrooms and yet one of the ones that works the hardest? When have I started dreading Mondays and looking forward to Fridays? When have I been anxiously staring at the clock waiting for the end of the day?

I can’t imagine myself leaving these children behind and these smiling faces, but I need a change. I want to continue to inspire and collaborate with preschool teachers, but no longer in a classroom.. I need a way to keep both my emotional health and my career.. I need a way to start looking forward to the beginning of the day rather than the end..