Monday, November 27, 2006

When teaching IS hard labor

As I dashed out of the school gate at 3 p.m., I couldn't but notice something different today. I felt so light on my feet; the pressure and stress were all gone .... It was the first time I experience this going out of school. I mean, sure the thought of going home to my mommy, a comfy couch, hot meal and funny comedies is always awesome- but still, there was an added element today that I couldn't quite pinpoint. Every muscle in my body was relaxed and relieved, as if a heavy burden has just lifted off my shoulders.... quite literally in fact- I had forgotten my canvas bag behind!

ugh. SO CLOSE

I remember surfing the net as the beginning of the year approached for as many "tips for first-time teachers" as I could lay my eyes on. One experienced teacher advised us to "invest in a sturdy canvas bag" since we'll be taking a lot of work home.

That advice was golden, I tell you. My canvas bag is my constant companion, back and forth from my house to my car and from my car to school and vise-versa. It is always stuffed beyond it's normal capacity, with the air of a bag that could burst any second (and prolly will).

What the tips failed to mention though, was that a canvas bag alone can get you through normal days, but sometimes it's simply not enough. More so if you're a science teacher bringing in all kinds of resources to class (from flashlights and cups, to shoe boxes, sponges and rocks!).

Yesterday I had to take home around 40 of the students copybooks in a seperate bag. I believe I heard at least a bone or two in me crack!! I carried them back to school today in an IKEA bag (since they're designed to carry heavy things)- but ended up having blisters on my fingers and a muscle cramp here and there!

Yep, definitely the last time I take copybooks home. I'd rather stay in school late and finish my corrections. Otherwise, I'd have to start taking steroids:P

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