I finished up with school on Tuesday. Well, the kids finished Friday and thanks to the terrible winter we had, the teachers still had a professional day on Monday, and then a make up professional day on Tuesday. It was a very long and difficult home stretch this year. Let me back up and explain.
Shortly after the school year started I heard about this tax referendum on the ballot this year. Our district is facing a $3mil loss next year and nearly $6mil within the next two years. Our district receives the last amount of money from tax dollars in our state. {And on a related but much too giant to really get into note, our state recently changed the way school districts are being funded. Those being hit the hardest are those with the highest poverty rate} We rallied to have our funding changed. Unfortunately, it failed. We didn’t hear anything for a while. And then we did.
In late March we got an email that said we would have a meeting after school the next day with the assistant superintendent. It was instantaneous. We knew. We were closing. Our building is old and has lots of issues. I’ll save you the details on how this difficult process was made even more difficult by not receiving news, by stretching things out, and misinformation from our union and rumor mills galore. A middle school in our district also closed, they’re now outsourcing our maintenance department, and have lowered the assistants’ hours. Our district will feel entirely different next year.
All throughout this stress, the stress of wondering if I still have a job, where it will be, and dear God, please don’t make me teach sixth grade, I still needed to teach. I needed to teach kids who needed more energy than I had. Kids who still needed me to get them through 3 rounds of dreadful state testing. Testing that decided if they moved onto the next grade or were retained. Testing that they’d, and I’d, stressed about for months.
I went every day. I tried to smile every day. But I didn’t have much in me. I was heart broken. I was stressed. I was crying. And I had so much resentment for being in that situation. My creativity left me. The units I had planned at the beginning of the year were absolutely amazing compared to the follow the textbook, sit and do read to self, that was happening at the end of the year. I was getting by. Barely.
When I came home I felt this pressure- pressure I had only put on myself no doubt- but pressure to blog. To share the awesomeness that was happening in my room. But it wasn’t happening in my room. I didn’t have the energy to post. Most posts take a couple hours to put together- pictures, picture editing, linking, typing, etc. take a while. I felt like there was nothing for me to blog about because my room was boring and there was nothing quality to share. And I wondered if people even read blogs anymore. I still wonder about that. Do you read blogs? Like, do you subscribe and read them or just when you find a post you’re interested in?
I started doing more and more with social media. I love that I can go on Instagram and share a quick picture of something we’re doing. Or I can go on Facebook and type three sentences to share this new website I found, or this new deal I found online. I was pinning more and more on Pinterest. And more and more I felt more like a Social Media-er (yeah, it’s not a word) and less like a Blogger. You know, you have to actually blog to be a Blogger. And I sort of became okay with that. I had the energy for that. I felt like I wasn’t losing this aspect of my life. This aspect that I loved.
I do want to say that I’m not leaving this blog any time soon. I do enjoy sharing ideas, and I’m often way too long winded for social media. But I originally had thought of things like my Facebook Fan Page as a way to promote this blog. I now instead think of it as a way to connect with other teachers and share my ideas- just like my blog. I’m on my social media accounts much, much, much more often than I am this blog.
I’d love to hear what you think. Are you still following and reading blogs? Basically just using Facebook and Pinterest instead?
27 Comments
Sorry to hear that you are having such a stressful year…I can really relate…we experienced a tragedy with a student in our school this winter, and it has been very hard to get through the rest of the school year. It seems like the year that doesn't want to end, so I can completely understand not having any energy to blog. Make sure to take time for you, to try to relax and regroup, and also best wishes for you in the next school year. To answer your question, I do still follow and read blogs. I have to subscribe to them through email as well though, that's the only way that I am able to find time later on to go through and read them.
I think people are choosing to follow blogs by email more. There's just so many out there!
I'm so sorry for the struggles your school has been facing this year.
I'm sorry you are dealing with such a challenge. It is very hard to leave something you have put your heart and soul into. It must have been very hard to carry on all that time. I was so sad last year in addition to the death of my neighbor's 12 yo daughter, my school didn't hire me back after 7 years. I kept telling myself, G-d closes one door as he opens another. Today I received a thank you note from my new director. It filled the entire thank you card! I am so touched by her kind words. I have never felt so appreciated. I hope you will find as hard as change is, it may be for the best.
I keep telling myself that everything happens for a reason! Thanks for the kind words.
During the school year I am a social-media-er too, and get back to blog reading and writing more when I have the free time during the summer. It's easier to surf pinterest or facebook than a ton of awesome blogs during the crazy hectic year. Sorry about your school, but I am sure you're heading toward something new and amazing, in the long run.. 🙂 Keep your chin up!
Thanks for the kind words. I think many people are in the same boat- blogs are great for summer, but it's so hard during the year.
I'm so sorry you've had such a tough year! I'm sending positive thoughts your way, hoping things will work out!
Sally from Elementary Matters
Thanks for the sweet words, Sally!
The same thing happened to me 5 years ago. My school was being closed due to budget cuts. We were all given jobs in different schools throughout our District. It was really hard at first but ended up being ok. I also prefer social media to blogging. ..it takes a lot less time.
Jessica
Tales of a First Grade Teacher
Thanks for the kind words!
I'm sorry to hear that. I was very overwhelmed and am the same way as you. I am going to try and regroup over the summer and getting back into posting and reading.
Sarah
Teachingiscolorful.blogspot.com
Sorry to hear about your stress! Often the most pressure we feel is put there by ourselves. It sure sounds like you are ready for summer! I follow blogs on bloglovin' and have my own personal blog where I have a blog roll but facebook is where I catch up the most. Good luck!
I'm sorry that you had such a bad year. I hope you are able to recharge your batteries this summer. Facebook is a great way to connect with teachers. I'm a social media-er, too.
I found IG this year and I agree with you, it is all I have energy for during the school year. I get so much from it though! I do read blogs and try to blog once a week just to stay connected but the stress of having something "blogworthy" can get overwhelming. Especially if you are having the type of year you just experienced. I too went through that about 3 years ago, and my school closed. I have come out of that a stronger teacher, I work for a great principal, and I couldn't love my new school more. So I guess I'm just saying there is hope, keep your chin up!
Learning with Mrs. Langley
So sorry your year was so stressful. Although it may look bleak right now, I always feel God will never give us more than we can handle. Good things will be headed your way soon. I too am in a state of flux. We found out last week, on the second to last day of school, that our superintendent/principal was leaving. So the coming year is very uncertain and there will be changes I am sure. I do follow blogs and read them as well as write my own. I like bloglovin' and I just catch up when I can. I do like FB for keeping in touch quickly. I will admit I have an instagram but I have never used it. It is on my list for this summer to figure it out…lol.
~Laura
Luv My Kinders
What an experience! I pray your year goes much better next year! Thank you for your honesty. I feel the same way a lot of times. Like-I don't have much to say because I've "lost it".
Wow!! Like everyone else I am soo sorry and pray that things work out for the best…. I read blogs and use social media as well.
I am so sorry to hear everything that is going on in your district! I pray that things get better. I love reading your blog posts and I also follow you on Facebook. You are an amazing teacher who always has wonderful ideas to share! You have inspired me to use more technology in my classroom and to be more creative! Take the summer to relax and try not to stress about next year!
I agree that using social media can be easier than blog searching. However, there are some favorite bloggers that I still read in my email each morning, you included! 🙂 I'm so sorry about the budget deficit in your district. I hope the changes aren't too hard on everyone next year!
Nicole
I have absolutely been there, and you're right – it's incredibly horrible to go through a situation like that and maintain focus in your teaching. I hope your next year will be better! I just wanted to say I do read blogs, I read yours specifically, and I love your ideas. Thanks for hanging in there! Write when you have something to say – we'll all appreciate it, I'm sure.
I "get it". Sorry things have been so rough for you. Sending you strength.
I "get it". Sorry things have been so rough for you. Sending you strength.
Tessa,
Excellent post and you bring up so many great points on how we all use social media and how it works for each of us. Then real life gets in the way and we figure out what is the simplest and most effective way to continue reaching fans, teachers, connecting ideas, and building our professional development. For me, I don't think there is an easy answer because each aspect of social media/blogging/creating continually changes based on our own needs (which is kind of cool and ever-changing at the same time). I've had this thought too–but I think you did a better job putting it into words.
Thanks
matt
Digital: Divide & Conquer
For me I read the blogs that I have signed up for by email late at night after everyone has gone to bed. I usually get something out of all of them so am so glad people blog. I have a hard time though having the time just to read them so am amazed at all who have the time to create them. I check in on Facebook too.
I am sorry for your really tough year. I am sending hope for a great summer to rejuvenate and a super new year for you.
I agree that it is so much easier to use other forms of social media as a the person who is pinning / facebooking / etc. However, as a reader, I really enjoy the blog posts and get more information from them that informs my teaching. I think I tend to save blog posts for more in-depth things and FB / Instagram things for smaller moments.
What I Have Learned
I still feel like I can't find the right "way" to use FB and IG, but I enjoy trying! I'm wishing and praying hard that you'll have a terrific 2014 – 2015 school year!
~Fern
Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas!
Fern Smith's Pinterest Boards!
Blogging during the school year is near impossible for me. I simply don't have the time because you are right, a good post takes a couple of hours to put together. I agree that other forms of social media are easier to browse very quickly which is easier to fit into busy schedules. I'm glad you are not giving up the blog, but it looks like I will need to follow you other places too. 🙂 Hoping for a great upcoming school year for you. -Amanda