The last two weeks have been incredibly stressful. I have spent long hours at school, and at least 30 hours of my "February Break" were spent feverishly writing IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) for both my resource room caseload and the ELA portions for my self-contained classes (those are nice because I'm not the case manager, so I "just" have to write the Reading and Writing narratives, needs, and goals, and make sure the classroom mods and test accommodations match my students' needs, not the whole shebang).
But, it's all DONE.
Friday I was in the copier room until 6:00 pm, trying desperately to copy all my packets for my meetings two weeks from tomorrow, fighting paper jams and overheating and mystery staples that were apparently invisible. I swore and yelled "I HATE YOU" at the inanimate object spewing out my treasured paperwork. I found new typos and had to print out new copies of pieces, but when I left, late for our dinner with a dear friend at our Friday night Mexican outing, I could breathe a sigh of relief.
I mailed those packets out to parents this morning. Buh-bye.
And then, I had my APPR (annual performance review, not sure what the extra P is for, actually) meeting this morning as well, which meant last week I wrote up all my various and sundry accomplishments and ways that I connect with my students and their families, and put my Outsiders unit that I totally revamped this year together along with a binder of "artifacts" that prove I'm a kickass teacher. I met with my assistant principal for 45 minutes to talk about everything and take him through my stuff. It seemed to go well, and I was really proud of all the hard work that's gone into this year so far. Having THAT done and off the list was also amazing.
I feel like having these two major pieces done is such a relief, not just because it's a boatload of school work that is now behind me, but because now I don't have to worry about NOT being done with these things before we are matched. Now I don't have the pressure of unfinished paperwork over my head in case we get another call soon. I could leave anytime now and feel perfectly fine about it.
(Do you hear that, Mystery Baby? We are really, really, REALLY ready now...anytime. ANYTIME.)
It is lovely. I am freaking exhausted (and not just because I stayed up to watch the entire O.scars last night) but it is so nice to not have that incredibly overwhelmed feeling of I HAVE SO MUCH PAPERWORK TO DO FOR ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING anymore...because I did it all (minus my National Board written component that I'm almost done with, but that's not due until May...).
Whew.
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I love the feeling of checking a big project off the "To Do" list. It's so satisfying.
ReplyDeleteAnd you got 2 bigs things done (extremely big things) with a third soon to follow. Hope you have a reward for all your hard work planned. You've more than earned it.
Thank you! I have a lovely weekend planned, unfortunately all that hard work left me exhausted and migraine-y. But Friday is coming soon! It is lovely to have those things crossed off.
DeleteThat's a ton of paperwork. I was cringing along with you reading about the copier.
ReplyDeleteAck, the copiers! They are so temperamental. I shudder to think of how many trees I've killed this past week... :)
DeleteHow fantastic to get those tasks behind you. It feels amazing, doesn't it? As Cristy said, make sure you give yourself a treat for the accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteTreat planned, just need to feel better to enjoy it. I think the aftermath of slamming through so much combined with wacky weather has done a number on my head. I'm on day three of a migraine, but I'm in hangover phase so I'm hoping all will be good tomorrow and I can sit back and relax now that the work is done! :)
DeleteYay! Good for you :) The APPR sounds a bit weird. I am in HR and in my company, we use APR but it could mean Annual Planning and Performance Review.
ReplyDeleteI am so embarrassed that I didn't know the second P, but it is Annual Professional Performance Review. It is a rather uncomfortable experience where you basically have to brag about how awesome you are and provide a portfolio to prove it. It's not a bad thing necessarily, but it takes up a lot of time. It is nice to reflect back on all the things you've done in the year so far though!
DeleteThat's a lot of paperwork! And ugh...copiers are the bane of my existence! It's like that scene from Office Space with the fax machine, that's what I am picturing hahaha
ReplyDeleteIt feels SO good to know you have all your ducks in a row. It gives a sense of peace, like now you are ready for anything!
Oh, yes! Just to have an empty field and a sledgehammer or something... :) Ugh I hate when technology makes things harder, not easier. Thank you -- yes, definitely ready for ANYTHING, cough cough ahem ahem... :)
DeleteNice job! I love when I can clear big tasks off my to-do list. Come on Mystery Baby!
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's the big to-do, right? The one I have no control over, sadly... But now I have less to do before I feel good going out on leave, so that's good!
DeleteI feel light and airy and satisfied for you just from reading this. Congrats on the check-offs!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is definitely a light and airy kind of feeling. Whew!
DeleteIt feels so damn good to cross such huge things off the to-do list. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It does feel good. No more weight hanging over my head.
DeleteCongrats and I can practically feel your relief!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is palpable, for sure... like a giant cosmic ahhhhhhhhhhhh.
DeleteYikes! I'm exhausted just reading this! Kudos to you for getting such big albatrosses (wow, the plural sounds weird for some reason) off your back. Still sending oodles of good mystery baby vibes your way!
ReplyDeleteIt is such a huge relief to get those big items crossed off the list! I hope you have a moment or two to enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I hope Mystery Baby hears you. <3
Wow, that's quite an accomplishment! What a relief to have so much done!
ReplyDelete