classroom notes #1: a walking zombie

Being a teacher is like being a parent to 35 (or more!) kids. Sometimes, we see the kids more than their own parents do. Aside from the actual teaching, we're also the caretakers, mediators, comforters, discipliner, listener of problems big and small, and all the 'ers' associated with being a parent. The energy output during a lesson is the equivalent of a marathon. I still remember my very first class ever during my practicum. My professor who was observing me noted that I was on a downward energy curve around the halfway mark of the double lesson. And that was only secondary school. Primary school requires twice the energy and twice the patience but perhaps half the disciplining... So, is it any wonder why I live life in a vegetative state whenever I'm off work? Next time you see me yawn at you, kindly remember that I spent the day dealing with kids in full-out tantrums, crying kids, pukey kids, biting kids, hyperactive kids, tattling kids, green kids, blue kids, red kids...