This could be a case of careful what you wish for, but I know ultimately it will be for my own good. I am co-ordinating this year and at the last minute I received some extra duties last week. The start of the week was very flat out and I felt like I wouldn’t be able to manage it all very well, so I requested the timetabler at school to have a look at my teaching load. She has thoughtfully responded to my request by allocating my mosaic class to another teacher. This will relieve me considerably. I was a little sad though. I had enjoyed the students I was working with and as I have mentioned before enjoy mosaic tiling as well. I always find it difficult to let go of a class once I have met them.
I guess it will return to being a hobby, which is probably a good thing.
Today I also announced to the staff that I no longer want to be the Health and Safety rep for our campus. I have filled this position for around 4 years and I know I really don’t have the time to attend to it any more. I don’t really enjoy the role either to be perfectly honest. I hope someone else steps forward, but basically if they don’t, we won’t have a rep, because I am resigning.
I want to take good care of myself this year. I want to do a good job. I have to stop putting my hand up and get really clear about what is most important to me! My son is doing his VCE and although he is really independent and self motivated, I want to at least keep him well fed and watered, ensure he gets enough sleep and have enough time to spend listening to his rants when they come along.
Tonight after school I visited our school counsellor, who had an accident at the gym this week and broke her hip. She is not an old woman and it was a surprise that she had injured herself like this. She is currently our only counsellor for the three campuses and I know she is concerned about the student welfare. She is such a generous woman, today she was propped up in her bed talking about coming back next week and having us email her about any students who need her. I heard she was taking calls from her bed from parents and thought, that’s nice that the parents are looking out for her, but no, she was taking calls to help them! She is very committed.
There was a constant stream of people from school to visit her tonight. Whilst I was there four other staff members were in the room and I saw three arriving as I was leaving. I felt really pleased to belong to such a caring community. Since I have been at my school I have seen the staff rally around in support of one another quite significantly at times. I like that about the place I work.
Popularity: 8% [?]
It takes a lot of courage and strength to stand up and take care for yourself – well done.
Your school community sounds awesome – it must make going to work a lot nicer.
You should be very proud of yourself. I keep trying to let go of some of my volunteer work, but feel so God damn guilty I never quite get the courage up to do it.
But I need to. For my sanity, I NEED to.
Hopefully I will be able to take this step along with you.
Trish and Kelley, I’ve driven myself to exhaustion enough times now that I know if I don’t take care of myself, no one else is going to! All the best to you Kelley to let go of volunteer work. It is always a challenge. Let someone else have a turn, think about it like that