Thirty-one walks, thirty-one posts.
It only takes the creation of sub plans for an educator to realize just how much work they really do. I've spent the better part of the last week preparing to be away from my circulation desk not for a day, but for three weeks.
A full month, really, with Spring Break thrown into the mix. A month with book orders due, a quarterly snapshot, finances to balance, and two different schedules to juggle. I'm missing a district reading event, my last before I retire.
To plan for these weeks, I've been working late almost every night. Tonight I finally walked out the door at seven-thirty. Sub plans are made and shared. Negatives are cleared from the finances. The quarterly snapshot is done and in the queue, read-alouds are labeled and next to the reading chair. My desk is cleared...well, somewhat clear.
I've never taken this much time off from work. It felt weird walking out of the library this evening, knowing that I won't be back until April sixth at the earliest.
I guess I could consider this a trial run for my retirement.
My goodness! Having just taken one day off for a district meeting yesterday, I cannot imagine attempting to write sub plans for three whole weeks! I hope that you enjoy your trial run at retirement!
ReplyDeleteLibrarians don't get subs in our district this year except for extended absences, so I had fallen out of the practice of writing plans. It was a bit painful! I feel like I earned my time off.
DeleteThe sub plans for a day already add extra work. Several days of absence - oh, my. You did it! A peace of mind is worth the time. Terje
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terje. Yes, I feel like the library will be fine; the sub was happy to come in.
DeletePreparing 3 weeks worth of lesson plans (and getting done everything else that needs to get done within that time frame) sounds absolutely exhausting! Congratulations on getting out the door at 7:30! Your final sentence--thinking about it being a trial run for retirement--puts a different image in my mind about the emotions that arise when walking out the door. I hope the trial run feels good.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Natasha. Retirement is less than three months away; if it felt weird leaving this space now, I can only imagine the wave of emotion that will hit in May.
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