Keep Your Heads Up

Besides having a doc's appointment this morning, I decided that it was plenty necessary to take off the rest of the day. Today was known as my very first "Mental Health Day" of the school year. I figure that if I take one every nine weeks, I could very easily survive this hectic schedule I've got.

I made it through my first two program rehearsals this week as well. (Survived would be a better choice word actually.) I chose 3rd graders to kick off the programs this year, but let's be honest, a first rehearsal for any grade level is always rough. However, starting off the first rehearsal with 3 notes from parents about kids "having too much stress in their life" to have a speaking part (yes, I'm quoting it straight from the note) or won't be there, 4 kids crying after being on the stage for seriously no more than 5 minutes, and a fellow teacher who literally SCREAMS at kids. Interrupting teachers, interrupting students who are speaking, my lord it never ended! (I later found out that one reason a student was crying is because she is terrified of this teacher I speak of. Terr.I.Fied. How sad is that??)

Onto a better note, the second rehearsal went a million times smoother. Kids knew where to stand to say their part, they were ready, and our final dress rehearsal will be Monday, with the program for the school on Tuesday morning and the parents Tuesday evening. I'm not one to complain about not getting paid for this extra time directing (because I truly don't care about that part, but that seems to be the only language that the powers-that-be can understand). I, selfishly, tend to stress about the fact that between an eleven-hour period of the day, I'll have taught 10 classes on top of directing two program performances, while squeezing in a meal and a bathroom break or two. I'm a little anxious. Just a little. (And have to keep hearing other teachers complain about taking their kids on a local field trip, only to change their trip time in order to be back for specials. A few hours off of teaching and a break? May want to stay out of my line of sight for that day... hah) Luckily, our Fall Break is coming up at the end of the week, ergo, giving me a few relaxing hours to collapse into a deep sleeping coma.

Living with a coach of all sports, I learned at a young age that his go-to-phrase was all about "keepin' your head up." He tells each and every player to keep their heads up. (With part of his reasoning being, that if you have your head down on the field, you could get hit.) So seriously, if we don't keep our heads up and watch where we're going, we, too, may not see what's coming from the dark side. Respect the players and they'll respect you. Bringing me to yesterday...

Yesterday, a few of my fabulous co-teachers and I got together to have a nice, relaxing time time over a few cocktails. Well deserved and needed. :) My week has wrapped up very nicely if I do say so. Sometimes you just gotta go "Woohoo!!"

This next post will be chalked full of exceptional ideas, because I have some wonderful people in my life that inspire me to be a spectacular teacher. Stay tuned!