I came to a very important realization today. Teachers have an impossible job. Maybe it is just me. Maybe it is just in special education, but I doubt it. There is no way I can fix all the problems, teach all the skills, cover all the standards, complete all the paperwork, and attend to every child like they need. A colleague helped me put this into words. She said she feels like we are doing more and more for our students and it is not helping. Then came her profound statement. "It's probably always going to be like this with some of our students, isn't it?" Her words stuck with me all day.
I have been rushing. I have been working longer, faster, and harder. That is not the answer. I will never be enough. All I can do is be the best I can be. Now I sound like an military slogan. Corny and cliched as it is, I feel relieved. Instead of feeling discouraged, I feel set free to contribute what I can. While I may not ever do everything that needs to be done, I will do everything I can each school day. I will give my best and somehow learn to let go of the rest. Even more importantly, I will accept that I must leave something undone each day.
How do you make it through the tough days?
