Monday I was called into the principal's office. I was asked to drop in after school when I had time. That left me anxious and in wonder at just what had I done for that school afternoon. When I stepped into her office, the principal and I sat down into the comfy chairs of the seating area, and she began, "We have a problem." This was it. I WAS in trouble. But what had I done?
Following this statement was an explanation that instantly dissolved my fears.
But first, I must give you a bit of background story. Our third grade English teacher, after much thinking and consideration, had decided that it was best for her and her husband to move back to California. They are expecting a baby, and decided that having the baby in Yantai was going to be too difficult (for many reasons). They were going to move back home this Wednesday.
Now we return back to the office.
The principal explained that the school had interviewed and offered the third grade position to a teacher from (somewhere--I didn't ask); however, that teacher had not decided whether he/she wanted to accept the position. Leaving Grade 3 English in limbo. Of course Grade 3 English does have its excellent, bilingual co-teacher still teaching the students during this time, but the parents are unnerved and unhappy about there being no native speaker in the classroom. This is where I was to come in, the principal explained, if I was willing to help out. It would be just teaching three more classes a day-- for topics like speaking, writing, and grammar. The bilingual teacher and another teacher would take care of the rest. And hopefully this would only be for a month.
Man, I hope she is right.
I agreed to help. It didn't sound too difficult outright.
Now, however, Thursday evening, after trying to last-minute plan for the remaining classes this week for Grade 3, keep up with my own Grade 1 classes, and fulfill other obligations, I am tired. It's not so much a physical tired (although that is present) as mental tiredness. At work I feel that I cannot turn my brain off. Today I put my head down on my cool desk for a moment to rest, but knew that I had to keep going, and popped back up again after 30 seconds. (Forgive me, it is not my intention to throw a pity party with this post. Just adding some imagery to make this better writing.) I know that I will make it through, and that I can do this. I think I can, anyway. I tell myself that it will be better after this weekend when I have time to plan for these new classes.
.........Right?
To them who are overworked, more shall be added. Think of it as a left-handed compliment. If you were perceived as un-(enter adjective of your choice) they would've picked someone else. It'll get easier, and when the new teacher finally comes, you'll be amazed at how much more they'll give you to do.
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