8 months in...

I am 8 months into my first year of teaching with 2 more to go.  Spring Break is next week.  On both counts, all I can say is "hurry up!"

I am so tired I can't sleep.  I am so frustrated with my students' lack of motivation, manners, and responsibility that I only tell them to "fail quietly" if they complain about having to do something (meaning when they see the "F" on their report card, I don't want them to ask me how they got it).  I have given in on my first bit of pressure to change a grade rather than stand by my original assessment only because I don't have the energy.

To top it all off, I am surrounded by such negative energy from all of the people I work with (and with good reason, but...) that I am having a difficult time seeing the positives and optimism, if there are indeed any to be found.

Maybe I'll feel better after Spring Break.