Nine years

Today, I put the finishing touches on packing up my classroom, and I'm about to call it a year. That's 9 years I've put into this system and this school. That's shocking to me, and next year indeed will make an even decade here.

Teaching is one of the only jobs that allows for complete upheaval every year, and the fresh start that comes along with it. I contemplated leaving some stuff on my bulletin boards today, but the yearning for a fresh start was enough for me to tear it all down.

It's been a long year. I don't want to use the epithet "burnt out" but it's on the tip of my tongue. A big part of it is the additional weight this year -- the weight of pressure from taking on additional classes and National Board, and the additional weight I feel like I'm putting on myself from not exercising like I should. Many of those things will be eliminated next year; National Board is over after testing in a couple weeks, the new course will no longer be new next year. Now, I just need to add exercise into my schedule and start feeling healthier and better about myself.

So, yes, I'm going to do my best to recharge the batteries this summer and get myself healthy and ready to take on my 10th year. On one hand, I want to spend plenty of time planning things out and putting into place some systems that will work better for the ever-evolving student here in Baltimore. On the other hand, I want to stop thinking about school for these 6 weeks, until I go back to school on August 9th for Summer Bridge. Hopefully I find a balance.