Classroom Chronicles
Teacher fatigue.
October is here. I am so glad. September was brutal. It was the worst September I’ve seen in years. In fact, I don’t think I’ve had an entire September be as bad as this one was.
On day one, we had a fight that began in the cafeteria and ended up in the hallway on the main floor. We had adults wrestling with students. We had students trying to injure adults. Then, there was a huge fight at a train station that several students recorded. Suspensions were given out like lollipops.
Next, we have the ongoing issue of “Devious Licks.” For those of you not in the know, a “Devious Lick” is a TikTok challenge called “destroy or steal from your school.” Across the country, students have been damaging their schools and/or stealing school property. At my school, we’ve had soap dispensers ripped off bathroom walls. Bathrooms have been drenched by sink water. Toilets clogged by paper towels. Commodes stolen. Stall doors damaged. It’s been insane!
To say that teachers are tired would be an understatement. We are past tired. We’re exhausted! Every day I would come home and pass out on my couch. My back ached. My feet ached. Everything ached! All I wanted to do was sleep. My personal life wasn’t getting the necessary attention it needed. I felt frustrated and angry.
I’m hoping for a smoother October. Some students have left for other schools. Some have already stopped coming to school. Those in school have stopped roaming the halls — for the most part. Although I have one student who likes to walk by my classroom and scream into the room. Despite multiple complaints, the student has yet to be dealt with. I’m praying to God that someone does something about the student soon. Because if I do something, I know I will be out of a job.
It’s my hope that I can get back into my groove this month. My energy levels are going up. I’ve managed not to immediately pass out when I come home. I try to have a hearty breakfast in the morning and healthy snacks throughout the workday. I also drink plenty of cold water. That helps with my alertness. As a teacher, you have to be one step ahead of your students.
Teachers have gone through a lot during this pandemic. And yes, we are still in a pandemic. Have the country’s student population isn’t vaccinated. I don’t even know the number of students over 12 who are vaccinated. We’ve had a lot of students sent home in September for various illnesses. Some have been out of school for days. COVID is no joke. The Delta Variant is attacking our children. We’ve already surpassed 700,000+ deaths due to COVID.
We need to help each other. Communities need to support parents. Parents need to support schools. Students and staff need support in school. Teachers must be given a break. Our mental and physical health demands it. We can’t be effective if we’re exhausted. For the sake of education, please remember — Teachers’ lives matter, too!
