Hi all, I've only been teaching for a full week now, but I am EXHAUSTED at the end of the day. My feet are killing me, and all I want to do is just sit down. Does anyone do anything that helps them not to feel as tired at the end of the day?
It is a must to wear flat comfortable shoes. I drink coffee and orange juice. A couple green live plants makes your room healthy. Some easy to care for plants are Philodendroms, Spider Plants, Wandering Jew. I always bring in a Poinsetta around Christmas to add holiday cheer to the room. When you get exhausted the germ bugs get you sick. Also open a window by your desk a tiny bit.
That's the first two weeks in a nutshell. Your feet hurt, your arms ache from writing on the board (I'm math-- I write on the board all day!) You can barely keep your eyes open, You're lucky if you actually end up in the right room for the right period, the odds of actually learning any of the bazillion names dwindles with each passing minute, you sincerely hope your car keys are somewhere in your possession at the end of the day, and all you want to do is SLEEP. (Dinner??? You want me to make dinner? Can't we just order pizza again????) Hang in there. Your body adjusts, and all will be right with the world in a week or two!! PS-- It gets worse!! I've done it 3 months pregnant, when my body was already craving sleep, and I was 42 years old. Try to sleep when you can-- you'll get through this!!
Oh boy does that sound like me! I was shocked at how tired I was once I began student teaching. I never expected to be so tired at the end of the day. Then, when I was working as a long-term sub and was the only teacher in the classroom I was surprised about how much worse it was! I literally was in bed around 7:00 at night watching tv and was asleep before 8:30 most nights. I start school on the 31st and I'm sure I'll be right back in the same boat. I don't really have any suggestions of how to get more energy other than try to get enough sleep every night, but I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone.
Another idea. I didn't realize you were a floater. I have seen stools that fold flat. Put some hooks on your cart to carry your stool and use it to at least lean againist and rest your feet. Sit on it while waiting to get into the rooms.
It sounds like you are doing everything right then because that's exactly how you are supposed to feel. When I was teaching, between walking and the NYC commute and going up and down flights of stairs all day long.... I lost 40 lbs.. and started to get sick. Honestly, my family thought I was on the verge of hospitalization at one point. I was just exhausted... I was in bed by 7pm and out the door by 6am for a 2 hour commute mass transit.
A stool to sit on at the overhead is a must. If you don't have to use the chalkboard, try to use your overhead as much as possible whle sitting on your stool. Bring comfy shoes to wear with good arch support. If needed, get plain black gym shoes made for walking. Don't lean over student desks to help with independent work....have them come to you.... with permission. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day and use the restroom when you can! Play soft music in background during seat work. Keep a window or fan on for air circulation. Dress in layers so you can remove or add as needed. Avoid walking when possible...those uncarpeted floors will kill your arches!!! The stool is sooo vital! If the foot problem persists, you may need to buy good insertable arches for your shoes.
I agree that the stool is a must. Last year the air went out in my room and I had to use another teachers room that was on track break. She had a tall office type stool by the board. It was GREAT. We start school on the 30th and I need to go find one of these. Also, I take the Excedrin with caffeine for headaches and aches and pains and it really does seem to help me more during the day.
Monster is an energy drink: http://www.monsterenergy.com/ I'm a diet Coke girl myself. Wear support pantyhose at least for the first few weeks while you re-acclimate to being on your feet all day!! (My legs kill the first week and no, please don't suggest wearing Crocs to me!!) Vitamins Less carbs Pack your bag, lay out clothes, make your lunch all the night before so you can sleep just a little longer.... I shower at night so I can sleep longer, some people swear showering in the morning wakes them up but I'd rather have the extra 20 minutes in bed...
I have never tried an energy drink. What does it do? I know a lot of people drink them now but I don't want to feel jittery, you know? So, how does it work and what does it do?
Aliceacc your post made me laugh out loud! I am so glad I'm not the only one feeling this way - newbie or not, it's good to know the first week is always this hectic! We had Th. and F. last week so I think I will be a little ragged after this, our first whole week of school, with trying to get into the routine of it all. I feel like I'm already planning just on a day-to-day basis, or at best a couple days ahead - I thought I had it more planned out but then our team met today and we're doing something different! :-S So it's probably time for me to quit wasting time on the boards... Thanks for the encouragement y'all!
EnglishMiss- Do not worry, I feel like I am planning on only a day-to-day basis too. It kinda stresses me out, but being so new kinda makes it hard to plan too much in advance (at least for me). I teach 2 remedial classes in addition to my regular classes, and the material is based so much on what they need help with day-to-day.
I need to take my own advice, but a little exercise can release stress in the afternoons and revive your energy. It is difficult to get going because you are genuinely too tired to exercise, but if you manage a couple of days you'll see the difference. Again, I need to take my own advice. I wear tennis shoes every single day and would wear nothing else. Eat a good breakfast and lunch. This evening at 6:30 I realized, while I was still at school working, that the only thing I had ate ALL day was two 120 calorie Slim-Fast snacks...ummm, no wonder I had a headache. You HAVE to make time eat something. I usually have Slim-Fast shakes for breakfast and lunch during the week...and really you should have a little more than that...I don't eat fruits or vegetables but that would be nice. I agree with letting students come to you for certain activities...that doesn't mean you are lazy. I am really good about roaming the room, but I hurt my back this weekend so once I had taught the lesson and assigned some practice questions I sat down at my desk and had students come to me for help.
I have to roam while they do work just to keep them on task but I will never bend over a desk again...I had to go to the doctor so many times because my back would be out. They would tell me to bend down in a squatting position when helping at their desks....yeah...sure...so everyone can hear my knees crunch!! No a pretty sound!!! Then I'll have knee problems!! LOL My new school doesn't mind if we sit to teach!!! I can't even imagine that!!! All the teachers have those tall comfy office chairs that swivel!!! (and this school is in the top 20% in the district test-scores wise) I guess I'll see.
Today was my first day, and I am exhausted too - and we didn't even have the kids! I am glad I will have time to get used to it before they come. The meetings and setting up the classroom are tiring enough. I have a brand new stool and comfy desk chair in my room but they probably won't get much use ... maybe just the stool when I'm using the overhead (7th/8th math). I'm trying to plan ahead but it's so hard to know how long each lesson will take when I have never met the students. I hope it's getting better for all of you!
keep a snack in your room, it will help re-energize you later in the day. Also those gel insert things are heaven in your shoes.
Green tea. Avoid sugar & caffiene Dr. School's gel inserts for your shoes Vitamins Home pedicure: 1. soak your feet in warm (not hot) water add a few drops of essential oils like rosemary and peppermint to invigorate your feet during or of lavender or rose to help relax them
We've been back for a couple of weeks now & I still home come and crash. It usually takes me about a month to really get back into my groove, though.
I've been using the Sally Hansen foot soaks this summer and they really work! And your feet look really good afterward. Where do you buy the essential oils to make your own?
The nap comment just reminded me of what happened when I was working for my school district's enrichment program. It was during the summer program...I had a tent in my classroom for reading and private time. Well, while on break I thought I would get in there myself because I was sick and exhausted...just to kind of zone out for a few minutes. Well, my ten minute break turned into a half hour break. No one could find me but I was finally discovered sleeping soundly! I had been working there for a few years and the director knew it was a sincere "oops" so it just got a good laugh from everyone. Just goes to show you shouldn't let yourself get to that point...rest up!
I did some research on energy drinks. Here's some info on the ingredients which many of them contain: Taurine is an amino acid. The body needs and uses up its naturally occurring supply in situations involving high stress levels or physical exertion. B vitamins aid in energy metabolism and in physical and mental exertions. L-Carnitine is an amino acid derivative that oxidizes fatty acids – the oxidization of fatty acids is one of the body’s main energy sources. Guarana, ginseng, gingko and milk thistle are all herbs known for their energizing, performance-enhancing qualities.
