At the End of Each Day I Leave With a Sigh and a Hope In My Heart That I Did My Very Best

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

I find myself returning to this quote for comfort time and time again. It reminds me that I need to take a minute to realize that I am doing the best that I can and the best that I can is good enough...right?

This year has already been very draining and it's barely even got started. I am working more closely with the ED/BD self-contained classroom and we just got a new student in there a week or so ago. It's been hard. He has been diagnosed with juvenile bi-polar disorder. I've never really worked with anyone who is like him. He's such a wonderful and imaginative little guy, but can switch into a fit of rage and fury in an instant. I don't even have to be in the classroom all day and it drains me. It's not really physically draining, although at times it can be, but more emotionally draining because I know these kids all have troubles and trauma. I want to do so much to help them, but sometimes I feel like there's really nothing I can do or I just can't do enough.


Sometimes this job can be so taxing, but I still love it.

Something to Think About

I have this situation with a student. He's been in many schools and has been a continuous behavior problem. He's on an IEP for SLD. Now he's 18. He comes to school, yet he does not have to. He says he wants to graduate, yet refuses to do any work. What gives?

I feel I am missing something very important here. I just can't put my finger on it. 

I Need All The Answers and All The Magic Cures

On the outside I may look like I've got it all figured out. It just must be the case because lately people have been bombarding me with questions. I feel like I need all the answers or I'm not doing my job well. It's a lot of pressure. I wish I did have all the answers. I want to be able to help so many people at once. Then I run into the other issue of time. There's just never enough of it.