Before
I left school for Christmas vacation, I told a co-worker I was excited to go on
break so I could breathe. She looked at me a little confused until I explained
it meant I wanted to relax. I had been so wrapped up in school and holiday activities,
I couldn’t remember the last time I sat and did nothing.
While I
was on vacation, I had the opportunity to work on a writing project. With a
soon approaching deadline, I had to switch from teacher mode to
full blown writer mode. Although this required a lot of work, it was one of the
best things that could have happened to me because it reminded me of something:
I’m not just a teacher.
I
consider it a privilege to be able to have a job that I also feel is my calling for the moment, and it has become a
lot of my identity. Submerging myself in my writing the past two weeks has
helped me remember that it’s not my only one. I’m also a writer, a sister, a
daughter…a child of God.
In
order to be a better teacher in 2014 I need to remember my other identities.
Teaching is a rewarding profession, but like any job, if you let it consume
you, it can leave you drained. And who wants an overtired teacher who’s only
keeping her eyes open because she’s drank 3 cups of coffee that morning? Not
this lady. And probably not the kids either.
I don’t
usually make New Year’s resolutions, but I do want to start my year differently.
I want to be able to breathe. With prayer and determination I move forward to
be a better time manager, to be more organized, and to mentally leave school at
the end of the day.
What are you doing differently this year?
