In my free time, some of my favorite things to do are...
- On the weekends, waking up slowly and reading facebook or playing Candy Crush in bed before I get up.
- Drinking a cup of coffee while I look at the sale ads
- Writing a blog or working on a doc for TpT
- Going to yoga (haven't been in ages)
- Binge watching some TV on NetFlix
- Hanging out with friends and/or the bf
- Reading a book
Some of my least favorite things to do on the weekends:
- Homework for grad school
I've been complaining about this since I started last fall. Every weekend, the homework is like a weight just sitting there on my shoulders, waiting to be taken care of.
I'm working on a second master's - in admin. I have no desire to be admin right now...not even sure ever! Last week, in my HR class, we were working on predicting enrollment for future school years. That doesn't sound like fun at all. And if I was doing a job where I was predicting enrollment, where would the kids be? Probably in another building, as I'd be working at district office. So there's a problem:
I love kids!
I love curriculum!
I decided last night, after the fifth conversation with my best friend, that I should drop my classes this semester. So that's exactly what I did. And let me tell you: I feel great!
I don't want to spend my weekends doing homework (or worrying about doing it). I want to do all those things I listed above and really relax and unwind from the week. And I already have a Master's, so I'm not sure why I felt like I needed another one. I guess it was something I could do while I have the time and no kids and big responsibilities at home, but it doesn't make me happy.
So, I quit my classes and now I have all day to work on my blog hop blog for next weekend. I bought ingredients for a new recipe, too: Green Chili so I can make that and not feel stressed about doing homework.
Plus, I'm really interested in that Chicago Grassroots Curriculum Taskforce and finding out about how I can teach an undergrad literacy class at a university. Additionally, a friend just emailed me about getting involved with the National Writing Project, which sounds amazing. I've also been wanting to take a class on graphic design so I can make my blog look better and figure out how to make my own clipart.
I guess I wanted to finish that degree because I was worried about disappointing people - the best principal mentors who drop everything to put beautiful words of recommendation down on a paper for me. Also: myself. I didn't want to drop my classes because I don't like quitting things. It's not like I can't do this degree - I could totally finish it and even with a 4.0...I'm just not interested.
I need to stay close to kids, and even as a Literacy Coach, I still have Anabelle, Naylani, and Rodrigo next door in third grade who talk to me all the time, my group of four boys in second who I teach guided reading to every day, a bunch of kinders who I'll hear calling, "Hi, Ms. B!" as I walk through their hallway. And can't forget my fourth and fifth graders who I see at the end of the day for our reading intervention group. Every day they ask if they get a new book, and every day they are all smiles to see what I share with them! Love kids!
So, I say - do what you love. When you do, it never feels like work.
Are you doing what you love today?
Excellent! I have learned more from fellow bloggers than I could have ever in a class. Great decision .
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! Yes, I'm feeling much better even though I have to pay 50% of the tuition for nothing - so that was a pretty expensive decision. That being said, I know this is the right thing to do!
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
Michelle
I agree...great decision! I had to fill in for my principal for 6 weeks this past fall when she fell and broke her ankle, and everyone was urging me to get my principal's license....and I said EXACTLY what you did....I love kids, I love working with teachers, and I love curriculum, and being in the office (proved to me) would take me away from that...good for you!
ReplyDeleteP.S. No, I don't have a blog...I just love following all of you inspiring educators! :-)
Thanks for the kind words! Yes, I feel so much better about life in general now that I don't have homework and exams hanging over my head!
DeleteAre you all closed for snow and/or cold? We were off today and now tomorrow, too! It's so so cold and blustery up in Chicago - hope your'e staying warm in IN!
Oh my word, we have missed SO.MUCH.SCHOOL....my co-coach and I tallied it up yesterday....we went to school a total of 10 days in January ( a combo of full and half-days)! :-( Cold and snow and wind....drifting kills us out here....Which means we are going FAR into June...I've lost track when we will actually get out. We frantically got all of our MOY assessments done yesterday before this week's storms come in. Hope you are staying warm as well!!!
DeleteI hear ya and am right there with you ! I too have been asked to do other jobs that would involve being at the district office and I felt just like you. Last time I was asked I said, "I don't think that's for me. I just need to be at a school, to be part of the heartbeat of a school ." I've been teaching for 30 years and I can't imagine not working with kids! I am a Lit Coach and teach several intervention classes daily - perfect for me. Good for you for listening to your heart.
ReplyDeleteLove how you said, "Be part of the heartbeat of the school." Such a lovely way to put exactly how I am feeling! Where do you work? Glad to have another lit coach to collaborate with! :-)
DeleteHope you're staying warm if you're in the polar vortex! It's like -30 with the windchill here in Chicago!