Teaching is Exhausting

There’s no tired like teacher tired! You've either heard or said that, and there's definitely no tired like beginning of year PD teacher tired.

But then there are times during the year that are more exhausting, grading and planning that keep you up past your bedtime, sporting events that you volunteer to attend to support students, and most importantly, managing your actual human life. Combine all those things with teaching 4-6 class periods per day, and it can be a recipe for extreme exhaustion.

Let me tell you about that time that one of our campus teachers couldn't keep her eyes open during her students' independent work time.

I was somewhere on campus doing something that was probably important when another leader approached me to show me a picture. The students had taken a picture of their teacher with her head on her desk, eyes closed, and shoes off. She was obviously worn out! I don't mean in the fake praying position so you can say "Amen" when someone gets your attention, but the kind of position that communicates it's nap time.

After speaking with her, she denied being asleep and stated that students were just being non-compliant. I withheld the evidence and reminded her to actively monitor during independent practice. And of course, we had to remind students of the cell phone policy.

Crisis averted.... well, not really.

It happened again. A new picture with her head back, eyes closed, and shoes off. This time, I presented the evidence. I asked if she was well or needed support with anything. She assured me she well and again blamed the students. At that point, disciplinary action had to be taken.

She decided to resign while on administrative leave.

Whew... teaching is exhausting!