I always wanted to be a teacher. My mum tells me that from a very young age I would line up my toys and teach them how to read and write and when my 2 younger sisters were born they too had to sit in my "classroom" and be taught.
I loved my job as a high school teacher when I first started teaching but each year it got harder and harder and now that I have recently resigned from my full time position I realise what a thankless vocation it really is. I am sure that all jobs are stressful and hard but it was getting too much for me to work full time as a teacher then come home to do do it all again with my own children.....
I was getting tired of not being able to help my own kids with homework and assignments because I had been doing it all day at work and I was exhausted.
I was getting tired of always being snappy at my kids and even snappier at my patient and supportive husband.
I was getting tired of getting to school early in the morning to answer emails, prepare lessons and mark papers. I was getting tired of having to work through my lunch break so I could stay on top of everything or to use that time to counsel a student who was behind with her work, fighting with friends or suffering in some other way.
I was getting tired of having to stay after school for department meetings and have someone else pick up my kids from school. I guess I was just plain TIRED!
So, on Day 3 of 30 days of Thanksgiving over at The Tatum's blog "Keepin up with the Tatums", I want to spend 5 minutes giving thanks and praise for all teachers; those people who tirelessly work to guide and nurture our young people... our future.
I thank the teachers who sacrifice so much for their students yet get very little in return.
I also want to thank their families and friends, their own children and their husbands/wives who support them when they are tired, cranky and snappy! Thank you Mr Attorney, Maddy and Big Al!
Best wishes,
Natasha In Oz
My best friend has gone back to teaching after having retired to raise her daughter years ago, and I know how hard the struggle can be. So I'm with you saluting teachers.
ReplyDeleteXO,
Sheila :-)
Hi N, Firstly its so cute...you being a little.miss. teacher... I too did stuff like that with my dolls, and also wished I could be a teacher...although I wound up majoring in business & marketing( Sadly, it is something i am NOT passionate about). I TOTALLY understand what you must have gone through though, any mom/ wife who is hands on and loves being a home maker...would certainly feel the same sense of deprivation/ frustration. Kudos to all those amazing women out there who juggle work with home so well, they never cease to amaze me, I however, similar to you I suppose, just love the simple life,tending to the little one's and cooking dinner etc, I could never be happy... otherwise. It makes me so glad...that you have found your own, but most of all, I am so happy you had the courage to walk away... that is something that is NEVER easy to do. Needless to say, you seem SO HAPPY now...I could never tell you faced a minute of frustration...ever ! : ) ...You go girl !
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts! I agree totally.
ReplyDeleteI tried to post once, and I'm not sure if you got it. So if you get two, you'll know why! ;-)
XO,
Sheila :-)
I am not a teacher and I have never been through what you have, but I can certainly understand how this was threatening your peace of mind, as well as your family and home life. Your quote at the end really sums it up. You can't be all things to all people. I think you did a good thing by retiring. I hope you have found balance and happiness.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Jane
I second that ! What an incredible person it takes to be a teacher!! I am thanksful for all of my teachers through the years, and the people that will teach my children someday!!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a teacher and a basketball coach, so you are preaching to the choir, AMEN!
ReplyDeleteWell done NM! If you manage to teach your own children well- that will be a couple more who will help the world move forward! Cheers to you dearie!
ReplyDeleteThank you for remembering the teachers who work hard. Both of my son's wives teach, one pre-school and the other 6th grade. It's an exhausting job!
ReplyDeleteIf the enjoyment was no longer there, you did the right thing leaving. And with one door closed, another one opens...who knows what the future holds?
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