Yesterday the honeymoon was over

Yesterday the honeymoon was over. I got my schedule which added up to potentially 29 lessons/week with 14 preps ranging from 4th grade to 9th grade, English to Science (with civics thrown in for good measure). I was not pleased. Besides, it would be impossible. The schedulers and admin had said that some weeks would be light because I would only be in the high school with my conversation classes, but some weeks would be heavy with my MS science classrooms. So if you do the math, I could have an average of less than 20 hours/week (which is in my contract) but some weeks of 10, some of 29. Still not pleased. After losing myself in conversation with Jayne from Leeds last night and being so fretted I missed one writing class this morning, I talked with my co-science teachers and it now looks like I will be teaching from 15-22 lessons max/week. I also am not teaching civics, but may be called on as a guest lecturer. I rest easier. There still are a lot of preps however. I don’t know what that will look like. Right now there is a lot of work but I also am alone in this house. Once Priya comes work might be a little more difficult to squeeze in with good distraction available. I wouldn’t say I’m lonely, but it sometimes stinks to not have someone to speak random thoughts to.

Because I’m alone, I’m doing more writing and reading which I'm not complaining about. I’m into Madeline L’engle’s first novel The Small Rain and have found myself drawn into Katherine’s life. I romanticize an artist’s life and long for one myself, as Katherine grows into, even if there are some sacrifices and challenges along the way. But I’m not a full-fledged artist. I’m equally, or perhaps more intrigued by how things and people click... That's why I want to go into school counseling for the next chapter. I wonder when.

My students are amazing. They do their work, they answer my questions, they ask clarifying questions, they volunteer answers, they have energy, they have motivation, and they laugh at me at appropriate times – the greatest compliment of all. They are, without a doubt, absolutely fabulous. I haven't been to middle school yet. I hear they are quite unruly so know this: I’m not here for a completely easy ride.

Look for a newsletter in your mailbox sometime in the next month.
Love, Laura