Since returning to the classroom, I have tried to share as much of the reality as possible. There are some (relatively) awesome days and there are some truly awful days and there are a lot of mix-of-everything days in between. Never did I think that stepping back into the classroom would come with the demands and stressors as it has, but then again, nobody else did, either. On top of that, the overwhelming majority of us are working more intensely than we ever have (I say most because, well, let's be real: some of our colleagues are still showing up right at the bell, coming into meetings late, not contributing, and having the time of their life).
But then, the worst stuff is this, and it's not only Gerry. It's admin and others who think that the answer is to just relax and do nothing:
But then, the worst stuff is this, and it's not only Gerry. It's admin and others who think that the answer is to just relax and do nothing:
Give yourself permission to relax and do nothing on the weekend. You deserve it and it will improve your mental health.
— gerry brooks (@gerrybrooksprin) October 10, 2020
If there is ANYONE I want telling me to relax, it's this guy:
I can't possibly take the entire weekend off to R-E-L-A-X, Aaron Rodgers. Well, no, now that you say it, I will find some time to relax. I'm going to find some time to spend with my family, to sleep in a little bit longer, to call a friend I haven't talked to in a while, or do a thing that makes me feel refreshed. I will find some time to relax.
At the same time, this profession doesn't lend itself to those who do nothing. I drive by my kids' school at the end of most school days and see the cars on my way home and I don't think, "hey, those folks need to go home and do nothing this weekend." I also don't look at those cars, knowing the humans who drive them, and think that they are enduring heroic events to create materials for their students. I see those cars and feel appreciation for the work they are putting in, knowing that if they don't put the time in now, they won't get the results they want later. It isn't heroic or award-winning, but it is their work ethic and I applaud them for it.
Sure, I can relax, but I am not going to do nothing. Yes, right now it's Sunday morning, and I have not yet planned the week ahead for my students. However, I can tell you that I've already started thinking about it. I know where we left off last week, and what launching points I want to focus on this week, and I know that materials need to be prepped in order for that to happen. I know that there is work to provide feedback on, and students who have turned things in on time deserve a teacher who is going to provide timely feedback, so they shall receive it in a timely manner as well.
So yeah: Give yourself permission. Give yourself permission to break away from the seemingly endless list of things to do to ensure that your students are getting the best possible experience in a chaotic and inequitable time, even though you know that "breaking away" is merely a temporary respite from the reality of what tomorrow needs from you. As for what will improve your mental health? I don't know, and I'm not going to espouse any half-hearted attempts. Not here, not on Twitter, not on a mass email. That's for you to find, and when you do find it, lean into it; that is what I assume will improve your mental health.
It has mine.
Happy "Aaron Rodgers Therapy" Fishing
At the same time, this profession doesn't lend itself to those who do nothing. I drive by my kids' school at the end of most school days and see the cars on my way home and I don't think, "hey, those folks need to go home and do nothing this weekend." I also don't look at those cars, knowing the humans who drive them, and think that they are enduring heroic events to create materials for their students. I see those cars and feel appreciation for the work they are putting in, knowing that if they don't put the time in now, they won't get the results they want later. It isn't heroic or award-winning, but it is their work ethic and I applaud them for it.
Sure, I can relax, but I am not going to do nothing. Yes, right now it's Sunday morning, and I have not yet planned the week ahead for my students. However, I can tell you that I've already started thinking about it. I know where we left off last week, and what launching points I want to focus on this week, and I know that materials need to be prepped in order for that to happen. I know that there is work to provide feedback on, and students who have turned things in on time deserve a teacher who is going to provide timely feedback, so they shall receive it in a timely manner as well.
So yeah: Give yourself permission. Give yourself permission to break away from the seemingly endless list of things to do to ensure that your students are getting the best possible experience in a chaotic and inequitable time, even though you know that "breaking away" is merely a temporary respite from the reality of what tomorrow needs from you. As for what will improve your mental health? I don't know, and I'm not going to espouse any half-hearted attempts. Not here, not on Twitter, not on a mass email. That's for you to find, and when you do find it, lean into it; that is what I assume will improve your mental health.
It has mine.
Happy "Aaron Rodgers Therapy" Fishing
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