Is it just me?

[herdgrad]

I don't think it is just me (based on this site), but I love to think about teaching....what worked last year, what I can try next year, putting things together, reading articles, getting ideas from other people, etc. I am constantly doing this, summer or not! I enjoy my family and we do many things together, but I feel like teaching is part of my life. I live to teach. I know that sounds corny, but it is true! It never really occured to me until a couple of years ago that not everyone took teaching as seriously as I do. They would ask why are you staying after school to do that or I would never do anything on my time if I wasn't paid. Gosh I would love to be paid for every minute I did something for my room....move over Bill Gates!! LOL
Anyway, I was at Wal-Mart yesterday picking up some items that I know I will need (I can get reimbursed for some of it) because they have it on sale! How many times can you get a one subject notebook for 15 cents or folders for 9 cents? Well I ran into a collegue of mine and she could not believe that I was actually thinking about school! She said that she would never waste her own time thinking about school. Is it just me or is this something common? I can't imagine! :idontknow:

[hweber]

No, herdgrad, it is not just you. I have already purchased and labeled the folders for reading, and science. My boxes are packed and ready to go to school and I am buying pencils like there is no tomorrow. I also need to buy some scissors. I have been scouring the Internet for first day activities, to see if there is something better out there. My partner teacher and I are emailing back and forth about behavior plans. So...in short, the fact that there are so many of us talking about teaching during the summer means you are in a select group of dedicated professionals.

[Boxcar]

Nope. It isn't just you.

I love thinking about things I can do with my students and how what I'm doing now can be turned into something for them. Although my situation isn't settled for the coming months, I've still been thinking about these sorts of things...

[Clearly Canadian]

Definitely not just you. I spend a lot of time in the summer thinking about how my next year will play out. I usually try to read at least 2 professional development books during the summer. The first one I read was "Discipline with Dignity' and the second I just started is "Never Work Harder than Your Students".

[hweber]

Boxcar, what do you mean that your situation isn't settled for the coming months?

[dsmms]

I have experienced the same thing. I think about teaching all the time. I can't seem to shut it off, so I am surprised at the people that can. I wonder how they improve as a teacher? I wish I could accomplish what I want to without the obsessiveness. I would like to find a happy medium, a balance, but I really do like thinking of ways to improve my craft, make it easier, etc.

[herdgrad]

thanks....It just really bothered me the other day when my collegue was so appalled that I would spend my own time thinking about school. I knew I wasn't, but it is nice to know that I am not alone. I know my husband thinks I am crazy sometimes, but it is just something that I really enjoy. As a matter of fact I am going over to the school today and try to set up some of my bulletin boards since I have someone to watch my youngest.
I guess I just needed to be reinforced....thanks :grouphug:

hweber, I don't know if the Walmart near you is the same as here but they have a big sale right now. I know scissors were on sale, but I don't remember how much (I don't need any for my class and my school age kids are to big to need scissors :cry:...I get to buy them next year for my youngest though). They had boxes of pencils for $1. A 2 pack of glue sticks were 25 cents. They had some really good deals, sale ends on Aug.1 I believe.

[hweber]

Thanks for the heads up herdgrad. I may just pop over there on my way to pick up some books that we will be reading this year. Wish I could get into my classroom now.

[herdgrad]

Well it didn't do me any good to have someone watch the little one and try to go do some things in my room. Apparently they were cutting trees and accidently cut a power line.....so NO POWER!!! uugghh. I tried to stay and do a couple of things because I had enough light coming in the windows, but can we say H-O-T. So much for that.

[Boxcar]

Boxcar, what do you mean that your situation isn't settled for the coming months?

At the moment, I don't have a teaching postition. :teacher: So, I really don't know what will be happening. There are some decisions I have to make. Unfortuantely, I'm not the best at that!
:gloomy:
I'm sure it will all work out in the end.:cheers:

[hweber]

Oh Boxcar, I am so sorry. I wish you the best in making your decisions. I understand about not being good at it. I am the same way.

Herdgard - I made it to the store and got supplies. Tons of pencils and cap erasers. A few scissors and general stuff. Thanks for the tip.:)

[herdgrad]

Your welcome, glad I could help....they had some good prices!

Boxcar, sorry to hear about your situation. Just pray that you will make the right decision. Please keep us informed, I wish you the best of luck.

[Booky]

I think it is excellent that you are always thinking about your work. If more people had that kind of passion for what they were doing then things would be a lot better by and large in our schools today for students and teachers alike. You set a fine example.

[SS Rocks!]

I know teachers like the one you mentioned. herdgrad, you are not alone! I'm almost always thinking about school in some way, shape, or form. I'm not saying it's right or healthy, but it's what I do. :)

[SS Rocks!]

Oh, and I forgot, Boxcar, best wishes. I hope something happens for you. :thumbsup:

[Nordic]

It's not just you. I'm the same. I have spent most of my summer either thinking of ideas, making written plans, shopping, or working on my classroom. And I've been teaching since 1990!

[Boxcar]

I must be getting old... The 90s feels like just yesterday...

[Boxcar]

Also, thanks everyone. It is great to have support. No one in my "real" life really knows what I'm thinking and stuff yet. :)

[Spectre]

Also, thanks everyone. It is great to have support. No one in my "real" life really knows what I'm thinking and stuff yet. :)

Oh no, Boxcar. Another casualty of the economic woes? Most disagreeable. :confused2:

Fortunately, that has not happened to me. I had feared, for awhile, that it might.

To the OP, I am all the time looking and evaluating and changing things around. It is NOT just you! Indeed, I think it is the BEST of us who are constantly thinking ahead and looklng to do it better. When I stop doing that will be when I call it quits, because then, I fear, I will begin to stagnate. :(

[Mrs. Gangsta]

Not just you-I think about my next class all summer and am planning in my head: refining, reorganizing, buying supplies. I just love my job. I went in to start setting up my classroom the first day we were allowed in the building last week and did 4 days of unpaid work, but I want it to be ready for my students. I will admit if I had kids at home I may not do that, but I have the luxury of having grown kids, so I am more able to. I believe good teachers are non-stop - always at work in our heads even if we have the summer off.