RISE AND SHINE

There is no better meal than breakfast. And breakfast in bed, is even better!

One of the perks of being a teacher, is getting a break from the madness every once in a while. School holidays are so important for us to recharge our batteries. I read a stat once that said, that even with the several holidays we receive, teachers still work more hours than most people in most fields. If I wasn't one, I would say this stat is a lie, but it's not.

During the term, I get to school at 06:30 every morning just to get through some admin before the school day begins. (Oh the admin!) The staff meeting takes place at 07:30, followed by Form Teacher duties and assembly or cycle testing. Lessons begin at 08:00 and I teach, on most days, until 14:35 or later, with an occasional free period, if I'm lucky, and two fifteen minute breaks. When the final bell goes for the end of the day, I'm able to inhale some food before one of my extra-mural activities or extra lessons begins. On average, my work day ends at 17:00, excluding any evening functions or duties, and I still try to do some prep for the following school day before I leave the premises.

On too many occasions to count, I've burst through my home trying to make it to the toilet on time, because yes, I haven't been able to use one for most of the day, or I'm absolutely starving and ravage the fridge for something. Anything. Then it's some me time. Not. I cook dinner and try to spend some quality time with my husband before some marking begins. And it starts all over again the next day. On the weekends, I prep for the week ahead with research, and assessment designs and I do some marking. The work never ends.

In four years, I can count how many times I've missed school on one hand. I feel too guilty to be absent from school because the learners need me to be there. They're not going to learn via osmosis. I can't 'turn them off' and deal with them tomorrow. So I think six times before taking a day off to recover, and just 'make it through'.

Besides the long hours, being a teacher is absolutely exhausting because it is emotionally and mentally draining. I'm interacting with hundreds of teenagers every day, who all need something different from me. And I give it to them. Or at least, I try to. I am a mentor, mother, big sister, mediator, learner, motivator, psychologist, administrator, colleague and source of knowledge. All. The. Time. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Can any other profession say they require to be so may things in one working day?

I could write pages and pages describing what I have to give of myself on a daily basis. But I won't. The best way to describe it is like this:

I feel like a jug, that starts the day filled with knowledge, enthusiasm, love, wisdom and compassion, and all day, I am pouring bits and pieces of myself into glasses. But when I step away from that, my jug is empty. Sometimes it's too empty for the people that mean most to me.

The self neglect, self sacrifice and utter exhaustion is justified by my love for the learners in my care. Other people's children, that I take on like my own. I beam with pride when they do well, cry with them when their worlds are falling apart, and try to see the potential in them even when they can't. I am so dedicated to my craft, that I cannot imagine fulfilling my role in any other manner.

This is not a rant. Perhaps just some insight into a profession that is completely under looked, under paid and unappreciated.

My husband always says that nobody knows how hard a teacher's job is unless you are one, or you're married to one. He's definitely had first hand experience.

So, I will not feel guilty or selfish for writing this post in the warmth of my bed, with a home-made breakfast, on a regular Monday morning, because I'm filling my jug. Before I know it, it will be empty again.