Crowded mind

So I have had so,so many things on my mind lately.  We are dealing with these SGOs and QBAs. Students are stressing out to no end over the doubled amount of exams.  We used to have half days for students, then the rest of the school day to grade exams.  Now we no longer have that.  Basically, the message I feel we teachers are getting is that it is our tough luck.  "We don't care how you have to suffer.  Just get the work done.  And do not expect any sensible deadlines or preparation on our part." I come to work by 6.15 am for a reason.  Early hours at work are best for getting all my work done.  I can grade alone, in silence, with no distractions.  I can take care of the majority of darkroom repairs, upkeep, and preparation in the wee hours.  I am uncomfortable bringing student work home. More opportunity for it to be damaged.  Over the past week, I brought work home twice, grading until 5.30, when I had to make dinner.  And my volunteer jobs?  I have not even started the latest box of scanning for the Morris County Trust, and I am in desperate need of more time to complete the design guidelines book for Main Street.  This week, I have been so stressed, my left eye has gone back to twitching.  I have not had a solid night's sleep in over a week.  I have been so stressed, I have been near tears or screaming.  I just feel like our kids are being used as guinea pigs in this silly educational experiment, or pawns in the political power plays.  Lots of people think I am scum because I do not have or want children.  Not true.  My anger over all this reformy rigor bull is due to the effects on students. I think people in the public are waking up.  I think...

On a positive note...

I received a couple of wonderful e-mails from a students' parents.  I was so happy, I probably blushed. I don't know how to react to compliments, so it took mea couple of days to respond - well, that and no free time.  The other thing?  It is time for the individual assignments in Photo II.  I handed out to period 5.  The intense looks of concentration and reactions were wonderful.  Many remarked about how hard my assignments  would be.  I said I aim to challenge them.  No one is ever angry with my choices for them.  They are appreciative of the thought and time I put into it and I think they like the challenge.  A nice way to end a really rough week.

Tomorrow night, I have a reception for a show that I have three photos in.  It is the one in Dover.  Wine, hors d'oeuvres, art.  Then, the club and good music, dancing, and friends.  Hooray.