What Madness?
I’m sure many of my readers have came by and said, “what madness, all you do is go on vacation and spend the day with your family, lounging around, floating down the river”. It probably does look like that. Of course, it’s summer, I am a teacher, I am off (well sort of). I teach home bound students (special education students who have been removed from school for disciplinary reasons), I also took 4 graduate classes this summer. But those things are MINOR compared to what my life is about to look like.
Next week we return for pre-planning. I also coach softball and for some asanine unknown idiotic reason, the high school softball season starts in August here. So, we have tryouts Monday and Tuesday from 5-730. Wed starts pre-planning from 8-4 and then softball practice Wed- Fri from 5-730.
Did I mention I am a high school special education teacher? I have anywhere from 12-15 students with emotional behavior disorders on my caseload, what this really means, is I spent a lot of time in the principals office explaining they really didn’t mean to cuss out the teacher, or put their hand through the glass door, and I promise the assistant principal was not the intended target of the flying object. Truthfully, if they did it, I try to get them to own up to it and we work on the behavior. But, the truth is, a lot and I do mean A LOT of teachers antagonize the crap out of my students (whole different post). On top of that, I teach biology, physical science, earth systems, world history, and a class for affective skills. Those of you who teach, yes, I have 5 preps.
Oh yeah, let’s not forget that Kyra, my terrible, stubborn, difficult, absolutely lovely tween daughter was accepted into one of the top high school/middle school fine art magnet schools in the state. The school is actually ranked one of the top 100 schools in the country. Sooo, that means she will catch the bus at 7 a.m. to school and get home via bus at about 5:30 each night. From what we understand, she will then hibernate in her bedroom or the kitchen table (whichever has clean space available), to do homework until 11 or 12 at night.
And then, we have Justice, my youngest daughter who is going into 3rd grade. Justice has a sensory processing disorder (SPD) and goes to occupational therapy (OT) once a week about 30 minutes from the house. She also has multiple learning disabilities and receives special education services at school. She is the sweetest girl but doesn’t do well with change. Did you notice all the “change” getting ready to happen? Yeah, it gets a little stressful around here.
We still haven’t talked about the fact that I am taking another 3 graduate classes this semester. Only one of them is online, the university I attend is about a 30 minute drive from home. Oh yeah, EVERYTHING is at least a 30 minute drive from where we live (which again, is an entirely different post). My husband is going back to school also this semester. He will be taking 4 classes towards finishing his Bachelors, all online. He is a police officer and works rotating 12 hour shifts. Two months working 6am-6pm and then two months working 6 pm to 6am. I am blessed though, he takes the first week of the school year off so he can help out and stop me from having a nervous breakdown help everyone get adjusted to the new schedule.
I think, maybe, I’ve covered most of it. I’m sure more madness will stumble upon us it always does. It has been relatively slow around here, but that is all about to end. If you happen to here about a teacher losing her mind and being taken away in a white jacket, remember me fondly! And send Chocolate!
With summer ending, what madness will you have to deal with and how will you embrace it?
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I totally understand, it’s the calm before the storm! I teach 4th grade and am a single mom with one going into middle school and one in elementary. So the 3 of us will be at 3 different schools this year. I’ll also be tutoring after school 2 days a week for some extra cash and pile football and soccer onto it too. Well, somehow we all do it! Good luck!!!
1 Barb said this (August 1, 2010 at 2:10 pm)
Oh. Em. Gee. I am a high school teacher too! AND by best friend is a high school sped teacher. In fact, every year I am an honorary sped teacher, because I get so many sped kids each year. So many similarities…
As for the stress, um, you win! I tried going back to school, but it was too much with kids (I think mine are a little younger than yours) AND my hubby was almost a cop – he actually still wants to go do it!
OK, I think I will stop cyber-stalking you now…until later! LOL
Alana
2 Alana Morales, Author Domestically Challenged said this (July 29, 2010 at 10:10 pm)
I work at a public university, and I had two months of furlough this year (I always have between 3 weeks and 2 months; this year, the budget meant I had the max). I spent the first month in San Diego caring for my mom after surgery, and the second month (which ends tomorrow!) getting my new blog ready to launch. Saturday/Sunday, I’ll be the reader/assistant for one of our students as he takes the Bar Exam for the second time. Wish us luck!
3 Serene @ MomFoodProject said this (July 29, 2010 at 12:39 pm)
You made me so tired, I now need a nap. You’re life is CRAZY! lol
Good luck!
xo Susie
4 Susie Kline said this (July 29, 2010 at 11:10 am)
Wow!! I need a nap after just reading how buy you are preparing to be in a few weeks. I have a child with an ASD so I can relate to the worried feelings regarding Justice. One day at a time, right?
Stopped by from SITS, btw! Have a great day!
5 Julie said this (July 29, 2010 at 10:31 am)
Just over from the SITS Blog Frog Community!
Wow it sounds like you get plenty of madness to me, hope you enjoy your summer – I know you deserve a rest and it sounds wonderful to me.
Your husband sounds so supportive – you’re a lucky girl!
Have a lovely day,
Jade
6 Jade @ No Longer 25 said this (July 29, 2010 at 8:31 am)
My hubby is pretty great when he is not driving me absolutely crazy. He tries really hard though and would do anything for me. I love your name! Jade is so beautiful.. Thank you for stopping by! In just a week or two I am sure I will have lots of crazy stories to share.
7 Tracie said this (July 29, 2010 at 10:31 am)
Oh my God are you kidding me? I’m practically curled up in the fetal position hyperventilating reading this! I have an SPD kid (thank you sweet baby JESUS for OT) who doesn’t do well with change, so I have an idea of what’s about to hit your house. Thankfully we have another 3 or so weeks before school comes roaring back, so we have time to start some adjustments. Wow. Hon, you’re amazing and I think I’ll suck my thumb and whimper for you.
8 Jen said this (July 28, 2010 at 11:38 pm)
Yes, OT was a saving grace for us. She has only been going for about two years but I am amazed at the difference it has made with the SPD issues. She is still having major gross motor skill issues, but those are easier to deal with then the complete melt down world is coming to an end I can’t wear this it hurts and I hate you and I hate the world and I just want to die tantrums. No need to whimper, I will do plenty of that for both of us, just share a drink with me
9 Tracie said this (July 29, 2010 at 10:35 am)
Wow, you do sound really busy! Madness I say! Madness! lol
(I like your blog colours….)
10 Embejo said this (July 28, 2010 at 10:56 pm)
just stopping by from the SITS forum giving you some love. I think you are seriously mad to do so much! I’m so impressed by how accomplished you are! Keep on blogging !!!!
11 Steph said this (July 28, 2010 at 10:55 pm)
You poor thing! That really does sound like madness! Hopefully you will have a caffeine IV to keep you going! Visiting from SITS/31DBBB!
12 Jamee said this (July 28, 2010 at 1:26 pm)
Sleep is one thing I rarely do without, I try and most of the time succeed in getting a minimum of 7 hours of sleep a night. I don’t function well at all without sleep and caffeine is my best friend!
13 Tracie said this (July 28, 2010 at 9:18 pm)