When I come home in the evening and find myself lost in Comedy Central's Daily Show with Jon Stewart, I am learning not to feel too guilty. I am a chronic workaholic, as most teachers probably are, because lets face it.. there is literally always something else your could be doing to better prepare yourself for your students.
My first year teaching, during our first staff meeting our Principal told all of us that we needed to take time to go get a pedicure. He was a 50's aged man with a coaching background, so needless to say, I couldn't take him seriously. But he was right. As teachers we all must take time for ourselves so that there is something left for our kids.
At the end of some days, you will come home physically and emotionally drained. You will have nothing left to give because greeting 200+ smiling (or not) faces everyday is hard work. That doesn't even take into consideration the actual teaching part. Knowing all of your kids strenghts, weaknesses, likes, dislike, modifications, accommodations, and people they will sit next to willingly while still working takes a LOT of brain space.
So its okay to be tired. It is important to take time out for yourself. Take a bath, watch a game, go on a walk, water your flowers, or watch Comedy Central, because in the end, you cannot take care of your kiddos with out taking care of yourself too.
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