Taking on the Challenges
I have challenges in just about every area of my life, but some cause much more stress than others. I get "war weary" after awhile.
That's why I NEED summer vacation when I teach. This summer I spent most days writing, which is still working, it's just very different work than when I teach. Much less personal interaction.
As an introvert, I find personal interaction stimulating, but get easily overwhelmed by that much stimulation.
A typical day at school involves several phone calls, e-mails and notes; many students; dealing with scheduling conflicts, personal conflicts, educational difficulties, personalizing lessons for individual students, evaluating performance, grading, computers (!), lesson plans, and much more. Even if everything is running well, which is rare, it is stil an over-stimulation for an introvert like me. Throw in an angry parent, catty girls, tardy students, late work, a forgetful colleague, and a very warm classroom, and I am stressed out.
I know, some would argue that I shouldn't be a teacher then. I have considered quitting, many times, but something keeps pulling me back. A few parents have confided that they like my high expectation. A few colleagues have told me they don't want me to leave until they retire. My husband is more focused on the paycheck. Those things are encouraging, but the one thing that brings me back year after year is a firm belief that God guides my life.
I won't go into the details of how I got this job. It was just a few days before the school year, under tense circumstances, and at a time when I did not expect to teach full-time. But, God's hand was clearly in the job, so I took it. Now, when I feel like quitting (there have been some tense moments where I seriously considered it) I pray about it. I know that God will provide me a clear way out, just as he provided me a clear way into it. Until that happens, I stay put. I put up with the challenges that are unique to my position and my personality. And, I know that God is standing next to me, helping me find the strength (and tact) to deal with everything that comes my way.
That's why I NEED summer vacation when I teach. This summer I spent most days writing, which is still working, it's just very different work than when I teach. Much less personal interaction.
As an introvert, I find personal interaction stimulating, but get easily overwhelmed by that much stimulation.
A typical day at school involves several phone calls, e-mails and notes; many students; dealing with scheduling conflicts, personal conflicts, educational difficulties, personalizing lessons for individual students, evaluating performance, grading, computers (!), lesson plans, and much more. Even if everything is running well, which is rare, it is stil an over-stimulation for an introvert like me. Throw in an angry parent, catty girls, tardy students, late work, a forgetful colleague, and a very warm classroom, and I am stressed out.
I know, some would argue that I shouldn't be a teacher then. I have considered quitting, many times, but something keeps pulling me back. A few parents have confided that they like my high expectation. A few colleagues have told me they don't want me to leave until they retire. My husband is more focused on the paycheck. Those things are encouraging, but the one thing that brings me back year after year is a firm belief that God guides my life.
I won't go into the details of how I got this job. It was just a few days before the school year, under tense circumstances, and at a time when I did not expect to teach full-time. But, God's hand was clearly in the job, so I took it. Now, when I feel like quitting (there have been some tense moments where I seriously considered it) I pray about it. I know that God will provide me a clear way out, just as he provided me a clear way into it. Until that happens, I stay put. I put up with the challenges that are unique to my position and my personality. And, I know that God is standing next to me, helping me find the strength (and tact) to deal with everything that comes my way.
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