Stress City

Wow, I have obviously been super busy at work and with life because I have not had time to blog for so long! The month of January has been soooo crazy at work! I have just had meeting after meeting and SO much paperwork to do - no wonder they say that the burn out rate for special educators is so high and after like 5 years or so.

I do think I stress myself out more than I need to but it is so overwhelming at times when I am doing all these things for the very first time and even though I know I am doing a good job I always freak out more when I have to have a big meeting, especially with parents, because you really need to be on top of your game. Also, I find the pressure of all the due dates and all of the special education laws you have to follow super stressful. I am constantly worrying and laying awake at night trying to keep track of all I have to do or all that I have to remember. The hardest part of being a special educator, I think, and a teacher in general is trying to figure out how to balance all of the things you need to do and all of the roles you need to play. I have to balance all the paperwork, case management, meetings, scheduling, supervising not to mention having time to actually plan what I am going to teach. I know it will get easier with time and experience but I still feel like there are days when I am running around feeling so discombobulated!!!!!

On the upside, I have a lot to look forward to coming up this next month!

1. My Dad coming to visit me for my birthday next week :) yay!
2. Going to Florida to visit my Grandparents over my winter break February 20-25th :) yay!
3. Going to meet my besties Emily and Beth in NYC the first weekend in March :) yay!

So happy end of January and hopefully the end of some of the winter blues we are all probably feeling these days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and it is slowly getting lighter longer at night a little bit each day!)