Just Another Day in the Life...

Yesterday, my team of teachers (science, social studies, math, and me) had a planning day.  Subs were employed for us so we could get our heads together in order to plan for things such as incentives for academic achievement and behavior, and a cross-curricular unit, etc.  We spent the usual amount of time complaining about things and then got busy with the positive stuff.  Just after lunch, we were summoned to the principal's office.  It was clear there was something wrong, so we girded our loins for the meeting.  (I told the youngest of our team to get rid of his gum so he wouldn't get admonished AGAIN for his having contraband in his mouth!)  When the principal showed up, she closed the door.  (Not a good sign!)  Then she proceeded to reem us out for not supporting her on matters of discipline.  Clearly, one of us had crossed a line that she didn't like.  I knew it wasn't me...so I began to guess.  There was one person on the team that she didn't look at during the diatribe, so I knew it was he.  That was confirmed this morning.  Now I am trying to figure out ways to help him get over the obstacles in front of him...and there are several.  That's what team members do!

I am in survival mode to get through the next few days of school before I fall apart.  Typically, getting through final exams and the last days before Christmas break, is horrific, and the first couple of days of break are fraught with getting ready for Christmas and trying to come down from the stressed of teaching 8th grade.  This year is different.  I won't really have a break...so I am trying to make bargains with myself...finding ways to make it acceptable NOT to get things done.  I need to find babysitting for my grandson when I have to return to school...and someone to watch the dog so I can go to Illinois--if that is even possible.  Logistics are complicated. 

Yesterday, I got training in how to use the school's grade book software to calculate my grades.  I need to find a time when I am not so pooped at the end of the day to make it work.  I need to input the grades for it all to work.  There aren't enough hours in a day to get everything done!

Life goes on.  Just another day of life in the slow lane...