A Life Preserver, Please

I am drowning, mostly in paperwork. In many ways, this year is better than last year. I have a much better relationship with many more of my students than I did last year. Some of my Hellstudents from last year are really coming around, which is refreshing. Some of them are still struggling with completing work, but I don't feel like killing them and they are far more willing to talk to me.

But, I have an ever-increasing stack of papers to grade. I have administrative referral crap to deal with--tardies and such. Phone calls to make. An evaluation guide to write. IEP forms to Wade through. Lessons to plan--really trying to focus on our focus standards. I'm swamped. I have a wedding to plan, a wife to murder, and Guilder to blame for it.

Hence, my recent Internet silence.

A few nice things I've been meaning to mention. I've discovered that there are some seats that get more attention than others because gheh are easier to get to. It's also why I change my students seats. Anyway, one of my boys in a Hot Seat confided in me, out of the blue, that he was having problems in another class. I was able to help him trouble shoot and come up with a solution. Another student shared her life troubles (after shutting down for most if the class). I got to practice my active listening. Another one (who's told me that he really hates school) is asking me questions and laughing with me about things on life. Another one told me about his girlfriend troubles. Others are just willing to talk to me like a person, and not just a teacher.

This is why I teach. Now, if I could only get out of the sea of paper. At least I'll finally have clean clothes for tomorrow.