Stress.......

I always loved as a teacher how energized I was at the start of a new school year!  But then, that energy usually comes to an abrupt end as quarter 1 draws to a close.  My old principal was a firm believer in the Phases of first year teachers' attitude (shown below) but for all of teachers; not just newbies.  I really agree with him.  Many of my teachers are feeling so stressed and overwhelmed that they don't even really want my help with the tech right now.  Not all....but many.  It's like they see me coming and before I even cross the threshold of the door, they're explaining why they are too busy to be using the iPads.  I want to yell from the mountain tops, "I remember how you feel!  I'm with you!  Let me take some of the load off!"  Instead I retreat giving them their space, because I also remember  the feeling of just wanting to be left alone to do my job.  I wish teachers were given the freedom to do more of what's right for their class and less of what's directed to them by district mandates.  Here we are in October...the start of disillusionment.....it's going to be a long winter........