...since I last wrote. Life and work got crazier since my last post. 15 hour work days on average. More stress than I cared to have dealt with. I didn't expect this as much going into the job, but the most stress comes from parents. I had a parent call a conference because their child finished the semester with a C grade. They literally told me "Nic is a A/B student. The fact that she struggles to get C's and B's in your class means that you're an ineffective teacher. Her dream is to go to Oxford University and you need to make sure you help make this happen." Are you f*****g kidding me????? What about the times when I asked the class to write a one page essay comparing Thucydides Funeral Oration and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and she gives me two paragraphs both shy of the requisite number of sentences?? I'm sorry but I fail to see how parents can be so blind to their child's lack of quality work and have the gall to blame me when their child's unrealistic goals start to seem unattainable.
I learned a lot this year about many things. Teaching takes an incredible amount of patience, personal sacrifice, energy, and need for tough skin. It expected far more of myself than anticipated, but at the same time I am so incredibly grateful to have an opportunity at a career that continually demands I grow and improve every single day. I also learned a great deal about people - from coworkers, to students, administrators, parents or visitors - there are so many different types of personalities one must try to learn to read and work in harmony with. Sometimes conflict will be inevitable, so I learned when to pick my fights and when to just nod and go along with the complainer/unhappy party.
On a more uplifting note, Vanguard has been so supportive of me this year. For a first year teacher, I had great reviews and observations - many encouraging and flattering comments were relayed on my end-of-year evaluation. If anything, when I am plagued with parents of "entitled" students I always remind myself of the positive comments from my supervisors, their continued support through these tribulations and of course the many students who were a success.
Personal things? Most of my personal life has been consumed by school/work but I have focused on one personal goal: weight loss. I joined Weight Watchers during lent and so far its been a success. Of course I've had my ups and downs along the way but so far I have lost a total of 23 pounds! This is the most I've lost in a single effort to get physically healthy. The more I lose the more motivated I am, but I am about to embark on my single greatest obstacle in this particular journey.
What obstacle is this??? Well, its a happy one - tomorrow my good friend and sorority sister Evvy and I are road tripping to California! We've talked about this several times since college, but this time we're actually following through. Going to my family home in Temecula and who knows what we're doing while there. Main objective: Evvy is relaxing after finishing law school and before beginning grad school in Glasgow, Scotland this fall. I am of course relaxing after a hellish first year of teaching. We're anticipating a stop-off in Las Vegas, copious amounts of alcohol, beach & sun. I'm crossing my fingers that our yearly family trip to Carpinteria will coordinate with my dates in Cali! Speaking of which, I have more packing to do in very little time - bon voyage and I'll post again soon!
P.S.
Happy 68th Anniversary to the valorous men who liberated France in the greatest allied amphibious assault of all time: D-Day.
