3 down, 2 to go
As we move closer to the end of school my patience is dwindling. I feel as if this entire school year has been and endurance race. With no idea that it would be as difficult as it was I can honestly say I didn’t know what I was getting into. Being a floating teacher means that I did not have a classroom. I had to be an interloper in the rooms of others. Not fun. It means that I did not have a place to call my own, I did not have my own workspace, and I did not have a place to store my stuff. Teachers who might be reading, take a moment to think about how much stuff you have. If you have never been a floater take a moment to imagine what it would be like and then say a prayer of thanks that you have never had to do it.
I have always considered myself an organized teacher. This year that was not the case. I left a trail everywhere I went. Leaving my computer speakers in 1st period and needing them 7th. Leaving test papers in 2nd when I needed them 4th. It was suggested that I use a cart. Sounds like a great plan and it has worked for many. Stuff falls off and it is miserable to get through the halls during class changes. My final room requires going outside and across a small, rough and bumpy, parking lot. The cart just didn’t work. I had a rolling bag, but rolling it through the halls during class changes can only be described as a hazard. Last semester my wrists were hurting so bad that I thought I had sprained them, or worse. When I couldn’t stand it any longer I went to the doctor. Carpal Tunnel. I had never put much into this affliction. Your wrists hurt, big deal. When I finally went to the doctor I thought we would be having x-rays and news of cracked or broken bones. It hurt so bad. A prednisone pack, 20 bloated and miserable pounds, and a few weeks later I was much better. I use wrist braces when it starts to hurt again, but for the most part I can manage to be pain free if I really watch what I do. That means no pulling a bag with wheels or picking it up when the rolling gets too cumbersome. So yes, I blame the floating teacher issue on my wrist problems.
Floating is very unnerving. I never feel like I “have it together” during the day. There are a few positives. I don’t have to do bulletin boards and it does make the day go faster. Unfortunately, I also do not have a space to decorate or call my own and all of my “stuff” is stored at home in our coat closet.
In two more days we will be in exam week and soon it will all be over. Not a moment too soon is the way I feel right now. All year it has felt as if I have been dragging the students along behind me.
OK, around 9:14 something caught my attention and I started working on something else. OMG ADD is taking over! I’m back now to finish my rant. Very thankful for the wordpress feature of auto-save!
I really do not have much else to say. I’m glad that the year is almost over. I look forward to whatever may be ahead. I hope it is a job in NC. I’m almost sure it is, but I’m afraid to talk about it. You know, jinx and everything. LOL. If I have to stay here, so be it. I have my blog to keep me sane.
May 14 2008 10:25 pm | Ramblings
May 15th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that NC works out for you next year, and you get your own space!
Annies last blog post..The Waiting Game
May 16th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I hope you get your own space too! Have a wonderful weekend!!!
May 16th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Thanks Annie and Pam