In my most recent newsletter, I briefly mused on the fact that the question “What do you do all summer?” should perhaps actually be “How do you do it all year?”
Much discontent exists in the field of education right now, resulting from everything from low pay to politicization of the profession to unreasonable state mandates.
But teaching is also challenging in invisible ways. Everyone thinks of the aforementioned issues, such as pay, but so much more makes education a field that’s not for the faint of heart.
First, it’s more physically demanding than one might think. I pace my classroom almost incessantly and rearrange the furniture in my room multiple times a year. I’m constantly squatting or bending down and then standing back up again to assist students at their desks.
I get up each weekday morning between 4:45 and 5:15, often leading to sleep deprivation.
On a daily basis, I carry at least three bags from my car up the stairs in the morning, and back down again in the afternoon. They’re not light bags. They contain my lap top and charger; a full 32-ounce water bottle; my lunch; multiple books, notebooks, and papers; and my planner, at a minimum.
My upstairs classroom means any time I need to go to the teacher work room, main office, cafeteria, guidance office, or my car, I go down the stairs and back up again.
I cram bathroom breaks into designated 6-minute windows, when I’m competing with a dozen teenaged girls for a stall, the mirror, and the sink.
During lunch, teachers try to fit a bathroom break and eating, not to mention social time if we’re lucky or willing not to chew, into a tiny 26-minute window of time (a particular challenge if you’re a slow eater or like to enjoy your food, both of which apply to me).
Then there’s the mental toll of making about a bazillion decisions a day, and that’s just while we’re at school; the pressure of at least four students asking for our attention or help in any given single second; and simultaneously monitoring cell phone use, Chromebook use, bathroom breaks, makeup work, water breaks, on-task time, cheating, and the progress of between 10 and 20 teens at a time. And now: the added challenge of learning how to best use and monitor AI.
But teaching has a lot of perks, too. It’s more of a lifestyle than a career. I mean, I’ve had a Thanksgiving break, winter break, spring break, and summer break since I was five years old. Five. It’s hard to imagine a calendar that doesn’t adhere to that rhythm. And for an early bird like me, the hours are great, too. While I do have to get up earlier each morning than most do (and earlier than I’d honestly like), I also get home after work with hours of daylight left just about every day. The pre-5am wakeup call pays me back with a pre-4pm return home most days.
More often than not, students are a lot of fun. Sure, I’ve had semesters during which I wondered what in the world I was doing with my life and fretted over the future of humanity based on the young adults I saw every day. But that’s not the norm. I’ve had far more promising, precious bunches than I’ve had hooligans.
Teaching also offers a decent amount of autonomy and creativity, as well as opportunities for continued education, training, and professional development.
In fact, as I write this, I realize the real question for me, if you’re not a teacher, is how do you do it all year long, all year round, no students, no summer break, no daylight left after work for afternoon walks with your dogs? Because far-too-short lunch break, no time to use the bathroom, and decision fatigue aside, I don’t think I could.
At least, not as a teacher.
What I’m Working On
My Debut Novel: An Expected End
Recently, fellow author Julie Ransom let me know that my debut novel is currently checked out at one of our local libraries, so that’s fun! It’s nice to think that as I type this, someone might be reading my book.
Next month, I plan to participate in the Lancaster Community Library Author Expo, signing and hopefully selling copies of An Expected End.
My Next Novel: Goodbye For Now
I can’t say progress has been fast, but progress has been happening, and that’s something! I started working on my long list of revisions last week, and I feel pretty good about working on the manuscript again.
Fun fact: The dog in Goodbye For Now is named Argos (and for good reason, as you’ll see if I ever finish writing it so you can read it), and this morning, my brother adopted a black and tan coonhound with stunning blue eyes. His name? Argos! Another tidbit of encouragement from the universe, perhaps.
Outdoor Writing
I’ll likely be visiting Luray Caverns later this week for the final touches of my dog-friendly adventures article for my July 1 deadline. The piece will feature six dog-friendly activities across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Last week, I finished compiling the hard copies of all my outdoor articles into a physical portfolio. Now it’s only a matter of adding to and maintaining it.
Writing Community
Recently, I was invited to write an article for an upcoming issue of the James River Writers Members Only Newsletter. After a couple weeks of agonizing over what, exactly, I should write, I finally landed on a worthwhile idea (thanks to my sister, a fellow writer). The piece is titled “Real Talk: The Best Writing Advice I Never Took,” and I submitted it last week.
What I’m Reading
I finished inventorying all the books I’ve purchased at independent bookstores and…I’m still reading the same two books I was reading two weeks ago.
Links to My Latest
“Ponies & Pontoons: A magical day with Daisey’s Island Cruises,” a short piece about wild ponies on Assateague, appears in this month’s edition of Cooperative Living Magazine in my Explore More column.
Archie and The Littles
June is National Pet Preparedness Month. Two of my summertime goals this year included completing a bird first aid course and a cat and dog first aid course, both of which I achieved about a week and a half ago. Below, the Littles take a break on my paddleboard after rough-housing on the riverbank. This photo is one of my current favorites of them.
The Littles enjoy some time at Pony Pasture on the James River, donning their sun shirts and PFDs because: safety first.
In the photo below, Archie heads to the vet for a beak and nail trim.
Over the last couple days, we’ve been shuffling furniture around between houses. As a result, our living room has been a bit of a mess. Nacho managed to find himself a soft spot to sleep despite the disarray.
What I Saw Outside
Poolside palm trees stand sentinel as I read in Florida.
An acrobatic bee, legs laden with pollen, hangs upside down from a nandina blossom in our yard.
Busy bees share blooms on common milkweed at Pony Pasture.
A doe watches me as I pass by her grazing ground during my trail run.
Literary Calendar
July
July 6, 2024 | 1:00pm-4:00pm | Lancaster Community Library Author Expo
Come meet and support multiple local and regional authors (including me!).
September
September 19, 2024 | 4:00pm-6:00pm | Beer Dogs with Jackie McCool at Richbrau Brewing
Stay tuned for more details!