Sunday, April 15, 2018

on post-vacay moods.


I’ve never been a person who says I’m ready to go back.  Routines and structure can fill any part of your life, and the five-day-a-week commitment to the future of America doesn’t stand alone in the daily routine department.  


Smashing fresh avocado and ever-so gently drizzling extra-virgin olive oil over the toasty warm french bread became routine the last ten days.  Waking up to my daughter’s miniature kisses on my arm, lying half asleep until nine and folding laundry directly after our dryer buzzes, not forty-eight hours later, when the wrinkles have taken over, are how things go around here.   


And for this glorious Spring break, the blazing sunshine, coating my basketball belly on the Gulf, gazing at what looks to be a Banana Boat commercial starring my husband and daughter, I’m reminded I chose the right career.  


Vacation time and long weekends and summers off...oh my.


Yet here we are again.  Freedom is over. Trying to ride that last high of vacation and shooing away any thoughts of werk. werk. werk. werk.


Students will return along with us, some craving that structured day with high expectations, predictability and a stimulating social-atmosphere beyond their pesky little sister.  Many though, will be longing for more days of sleeping in and little requirement to think or produce or walk in a straight and silent line to a not-so-homemade school lunch plate.


In the classroom, beach vibes and sunshine come by way of juicy novels or geography and ecosystem studies, but a mental escape isn’t the same as an actual one.  Come Sunday morning before returning from any vacation time-the reluctancy sets in and we all get a little sad.


Admitting the show must go on, and determined to ease back in post-break, I like to cushion up the schedule and prevent culture shock for all thirty-one of us.  This time around, I scheduled a Harlem Renaissance painting workshop with the art teacher and hands-on math-stations sprinkled with some extra, extra-long silent reading and independent writing time.   It’s expected that the Langston Hughes poetry analysis will be like pulling a bunch of fifth grade teeth, but at least I can sandwich it between art, group work and an extra helping of peace and quiet.  


The funny thing is, after break, I’m somewhat rejuvenated to go full speed ahead and pack the daily schedule with enough academic rigor to make my kids head spin.  Reality, though, doesn’t allow for that.


Don’t get me wrong, academic expectations remain high, but I’m not trying to introduce four new learning objectives the day we return.  Ultimately, I aim to welcome a little bit of vacation mode into every learning experience, or at least into small moments each school day.  


Lack of balance in any school day makes both the teacher and the kids crazy, so infusing vacation mode ensures I don’t resign to become a yoga teacher at the end of each week.


Pre-baby and pre-thirties, I thrived on the work hard, play hard mentality-capping out each full-force work day with happy hours, six-mile runs and back-to-back social gatherings.  


With preserving energy as a top priority, I find myself, these days, searching for the most creative methods to integrate vacation-mode into my students learning experiences.  Children need to opportunities to access their “whole selves,” just like we do.


Afternoon naps and never-ending recess still live in the home environment, however, tranquil reading sessions and structured, interactive academic games can make school and work much more enjoyable when vacation highs fade.  


Nothing compares to vacation spent with the people you love.  Being the responsible adults we are, though, and grateful to be in a profession we also love...aiming for balance is key.  


I know every instructional minute counts, which is why jam-packing days with teaching and learning on over-drive is counter-productive and far-from sustainable.  


No one wants to be the educator that counts down the days until the next break on the day we return from vacation.  Planning for balanced routines rather than hoping it just happens could be the first step in bringing more peace to a high pressure profession.  


Power to the teacher!