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Tension


Tired, anxious, on edge
Later than usual
Less time to plan
Less time to prepare

Bell rings
Students file in
Feeling unsettled
Students are chattier than normal
Spring fever in full swing

Unprepared for the lack of focus
Feeling tension start to build
Students not completing the work
Repeating instructions four times

Less patient
Frustrated
Losing all sense of calm

Pause
Breathe deep
Take a minute
Release the tension
The day has only just begun


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Comments

  1. SharonMarch 19, 2019 at 11:02 AM

    Were you in my classroom this morning?? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MSheehanMarch 26, 2019 at 12:19 PM

      Haha. Glad I wasn’t alone in feeling this. Thanks for reading Sharon!

      Delete
  2. Eugenia KoutsMarch 19, 2019 at 11:16 AM

    Yesterday my students came in almost to the point of being comatose. Today is a different story! Hang in there teachers (myself included) - 3 more days!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MSheehanMarch 26, 2019 at 12:20 PM

      Yes it’s interesting how students can vary from day to day. Thanks for reading!

      Delete
  3. sspelicMarch 19, 2019 at 12:46 PM

    I feel you. I find myself sitting down when I am frustrated and about to give my students "the lecture." I'm a PE specialist so that means getting on the floor mostly and it does calm me a bit. It creates that space to do what you illustrate in your last lines: "Pause/ Breathe deep/Take a minute/ Release the tension"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MSheehanMarch 26, 2019 at 12:20 PM

      Thank you for reading Sherri! Trying to remind myself this refrain as we close out the month.

      Delete
  4. momteacherandwifeMarch 19, 2019 at 1:23 PM

    Oh 3 more days! I think we are all feeling it and, yes, when I lose some of my morning prep and feel rushed it throws everything else off. I enjoyed your post in poem form. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MSheehanMarch 26, 2019 at 12:21 PM

      Thank you for reading! I definitely feel less alone knowing other teachers face difficult moments and days as well.

      Delete
  5. MaureenMarch 19, 2019 at 1:54 PM

    Oh, that last line was "bitter truth" - the day has only just begun! May things have improved and your feet be up, after a long day, resting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MSheehanMarch 26, 2019 at 12:22 PM

      Thank you for reading Maureen! I appreciate your positive thoughts.

      Delete

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