No, Really, I Am an American

Every time I think I’m about to break the surface, some big ass wave comes and tries to drown me again.

We had another department meeting after school today and we went over how to grade. I thought I had to jump through a lot of hoops when I was in America, but the Brits have the hoops set on fire and then they have to try and avoid landing on broken glass. At least everyone else has a clue, whereas Shelby and I are feeling a bit overwhelmed. If it’s not the lesson planning and marking (they have a really complicated way of grading), it’s the GSCE’s we’ve never taken or the OFSTED.

And yet, I’m still here. For whatever reason I haven’t given up, and the people I’ve talked to have all said that I’m doing fine and stuff like that.

But I still feel like I’m failing these kids on some level. I’m not doing enough to make sure they’re supported yeah? I really suck at differentiating the work. I’m aiming way too high and not scaling it back enough.

It’s hard but if anything, it makes me want to help the students more.

I’ve never been very good at holding my breath underwater, but at least I’m not completely in the deep end.