Thursday, April 21, 2011

It's been a funk!

I have not been happy nor been very much of a happy person to be around lately. I guess the first step of any intervention is admission of the problem, right?

Yup....sadly, I've been the grumpy teacher everyone complains about.....or at least, that's what my perception is. Working wth struggling students it may be an expected by-product, but even my top academic classes.....I've put on my best lessons, but I still feel like I'm a dentist pulling teeth that don't want to be pulled....and my patience has grown very thin, and OUT pops the 'grump.'

**sigh**

I've done the best I can keeping a smile on, but.....there have been a few times over this past week that I wish I could take back. Snap comments (towards students and coworkers); under-the-breath annoyances towards others......and I feel bad because "I know better." Truly!

There are too many evenings where I come home and it's all I can do to put something (ANYTHING) together for dinner before being toast for the evening. Just pooped out...no ambition to do much of anything except crawl up on the couch and read a book. Still working on the Harry Potter series (I've worked up to Book #5).

With help from the girls, I have been doing a load of clothes each evening. I haven't quilted in a couple of weeks, nor will I over this Easter vacation as we are traveling. However, I hope this vacation will revive my laughter and light-heartedness that is really needed to keep education bearable and fun.

So....I'm merely dropping in to wish you all a FABULOUS Easter vacation, and I wanted to give a shout-out to everyone with some explanation of where I've been.

12 comments:

scraphappy said...

We all catch the grump bug from time to time. Hope a little family time will help restore you to your old positive ways.

Jackie's Stitches said...

It's an especially tough time of year for teachers. Loads of pressure, testing and kids getting antsy for the end of the year. I'm not a teacher and I've been feeling pretty grumpy myself - I need a break, maybe you do too!

Megan said...

Like Jackie said, it's just a rough time of year for teachers (and students). Take a deep breath, and keep on keepin' on! Your sewing will still be there for you when things simmer down some.

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter weekend as well. Maybe when you get back you can force your self to start on some quilting again, it will help with your grumpiness, trust me, I work with the most negative person on the planet, elbow to elbow 40 hours a week. Quilting is the only thing that keeps me going positively.

Andra Gayle said...

I am right there with you-barely getting by. Hoping my 3 day weekend will feel like a nice long vacation. Hope you enjoy it too! quilting will still be there to console you when you feel the energy.

Amanda said...

Been there, got the T-shirt!! As I got toward the end of my teaching career I began to put things into perspective a bit more. Firstly, teaching is a two way thing; if they don't want to co-operate and do their bit no-one should expect you to do it all. Secondly, it doesn't really hurt if other people know that you're fed up, especially if they've caused it. Perhaps they'll do their bit more if they know that you're not on top of the world. And thirdly, it's better to express your feelings than to bottle them up; you're less likely to burst eventually. There, lecture over. Have a great Easter holiday, forget about school and R_E_L_A_X.

Ellen said...

Sometimes a little vacation is all it takes to lift your spirit. Enjoy yourself and your family!

Tracy said...

Hang in there, summer's comin'! At least I hope so...we've had almost every day rain here and let me tell you, that's DEPRESSING!
Hopefully a few days away will be just what you need.

Pokey said...

uh-huh, we just got through that forever long March (you know, the one without any days off) followed by a really long April (because of Easter being so late this year). Today was my last day before the break, I feel your pain! Hopefully we'll get some joy back with a few breathing days. We'll get it together, you'll see...!
:-} hugs from another hard-working teacher, pokey

Linda Lee said...

I know that is the same feeling over in the elementary wing. We all have needed a break. We will make it!!!

Andee said...

I hope you get the break you need to get your cheer back! We miss your posts and I am sure your students miss your light hearted cheer! Hang in, spring is coming!

Nancy said...

Amy,

I'm so sorry I missed this... I no how you felt. It got so bad at one point I had a headache for three days and just took a mental health day

Now of course the kids are dealing with spring fever... as am I (sitting here catching up on grading).....

I hope things are going better.

Hugs,
Nancy