What a year, what a week, what a day...

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November 10, 2021

As I write this date, it doesn't seem possible. I have two thoughts.

1.) How is it ALREADY November 10th?

2.) How is it ONLY November 10th?

This year seems to not allow enough time for all of the things that need to get done in both of my schools that I work in this year but it also seems to be dragging by as it feels like there is no end in sight. It's a hard hard year. I've been teaching since 2006 and this is by far the hardest. I have asked around how others are feeling. Was last year harder? Is this year the hardest? I have not found one person, not one in the dozens I've asked that said last year was worse. So what is it? What is making this so difficult for everyone? The answer: EXHAUSTION.

We are mentally and emotionally exhausted. The worries we carry everyday around the health and well being of our families and our colleagues are impossible. The stress and workloads we have with ever-changing policies and procedures to manage this pandemic. Contact tracing and keeping track of who is with who for how long and where.

On top of that all our principal announced very suddenly last week that she was taking a leave of absence that would start immediately. This was after a "reporter" called the school to ask if we were pushing a transgender agenda on first grade students with the library books we were sending home.

And then a tragedy. The amazing woman that basically ran our school passed away very unexpectedly. The school community is absolutely devastated and everyone is feeling her absence whole heartedly. I just keep asking myself when will relief come? When can we breathe again?

But, silver lining...I have the BEST job in the school! I truly believe that. And I am making a difference with students every single day. I know I just have to keep trucking along but this is hard. Really hard.

~Ashley

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