Tuesday Topics: October 2023 Review

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October seemed like a LONG month.  Most of them do feel that way but this month just felt longer.  No?  At least we are closer to November which brings us to Thanksgiving Break.  I am looking forward to it and to the time off.  I know I can take time off pretty much whenever I want, but honestly, many times “it isn’t worth it”.  It takes a long time to plan and write lesson plans.  Anyway, again, at least I know I can take the time off.

Let me tell you about how October went for me:

Mileage:  Sigh.  Weird how at one point running was a huge thing for me.  I ran everyday or almost everyday.  Now, I can barely get in a run.  And it is getting colder now.  We had some very warm days towards the end of October, but now it is down to 30 degrees.  I know, I know, I can run in this weather, but sometimes I don’t want to.  I am too cold.

This month I ran 20.48 and walked 3.14 miles.

Current Book:  I am still reading “The Guide” and was determined to finish it in October.  I have a few pages to go.  There are 5 books that I got from the library that are waiting for me.

2023 Running Goal:  I said goodbye to my goal.  This year wasn’t my year for running.  I did the best I could and am OK with it.  I will continue to run and will be happy with whatever number I end up with on December 31. 

Injuries:  None.  Though sometimes I have some pain/discomfort in my hip.  And depending on which shoes I wear and how long I am on my feet, they hurt too.

Races:  None, but am hoping I can run a 5k this month or in December.  This year I ran a half marathon, 10k, 10 miler, 8k, and a 4 miler.

Health:  I am doing OK.  Depending on how my day goes, I sleep well and on other days I don’t.

School:  It is an up-and-down situation.  As much as I care about my students, many days I find no joy in my job.  I get angry and am exhausted.  I know I have mentioned this before, but seriously, this year is the worst.  Or maybe it was the year I worked from home – that was horrible too.  

Even though I do a lot of work at home, I cannot seem to catch up on schoolwork.  I did my grades over a week ago but still need to review and finalize them so they can be available to parents.  I wonder how many of them actually check them.  I have a pile of paperwork that needs to be graded and entered in PowerSchool.  I get one planning period (45 minutes) every day to review lessons and plan for the day, make copies, do my lesson plans, grade, etc.  On Thursdays, we have a grade-level meeting.  Sometimes I substitute for another teacher who is absent that day, so I still don’t get all of my planning periods each week.

We have parent/teacher conferences on Monday and I know many won’t go well.  Many are not on grade level and it will get worse as they get older.  I hope I am wrong and these kids and parents get their act together.  It is just so sad to see these kids not motivated and have no desire to learn.

Each day brings me closer to another year of teaching and then to another year closer to retirement.  Sad that I am thinking this way, right?

The topic for next week:  Let’s go down memory lane again and tell us about your best childhood memory.  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!