Given how brain dead and exhausted I am at all times I told my APs that I need to make the move to teaching part-time basically immediately. Luckily this was greeted with full support and multiple statements that can be boiled down to, “If you say you need this, then you need this. You are never one to shirk your duties.” My midwife is backing me up. My BTSA mentor is sad that she won’t get to work with me anymore and honestly I’m sad I won’t be working with her as well. She really is a neat person and collaborating with her would have taught me a great deal. I’m going to teach three classes till the end of the semester and then transfer all of my classes to this new person.
I sent an email to the credential program yesterday and received a response within a few hours giving me the contact information for an ideal candidate. I’m trying to get in touch with her today so we can work towards getting her started maybe by next week.
On one hand I feel like I am failing my kids. On the other hand, I *can’t* keep doing this. I physically hurt almost all the time from exhaustion. I’m going to try and keep this woman on my lesson plans through the end of this unit then let her work with me or on whatever she wants from then on. My kids will be upset because they will miss me, but I can’t let that influence deciding what is best for me physically right now.
God I can’t wait until I get to sleep more.
This is something you need to do. Go you for doing it.
Good for you for taking care of yourself!
YUP, YUP! GO YOU!
Just so you don’t find yourself getting bored, or getting overcome with any guilt later on, I suggest trying to find a way of keeping a foot in part time, maybe 2 days a week, or offering to mentor the new teacher or help out with the kids who need the extra help — or maybe contacting the schools right next to you and offering yourself up as a tutor for the equivalent kids who live nearer to you so that you don’t need to go to them, but DEFINITELY you clearly needed to slow down and free up your schedule to be able to get enough sleep, lower your stress levels, etc. You’re clearly NOT having an easy pregnancy and your health and that of the baby totally need to take first place.
GO YOU!
You know, one of the things I love about you is how much you care about your kids at school. Because you care so much, I know this has been a very hard decision for you – but I’m really glad to see you’re taking care of yourself.
And if you start having doubts, think about what your students are saying. They know this is what you need to do, and they care about you enough to support your decision. That’s a huge statement of the impact you’ve already had on them, even in just a few months.
Your body has a lot of work to do right now, creating that amazing little bit of humanity you’re carrying around inside. I think right now, that’s your priority.
This sounds VERY wise. *hugs*