So Friday and Saturday I spent 8 hours in class, the second of my three required electives. This one was on identifying and teaching the Gifted Student and it was great fun. The teacher had us reading handouts aloud and working in groups on silly little projects, all to demonstrate ways to extend a classroom learning experience rather than piling on more work for the gifted students. I came away from that feeling good and confirmed in my belief that I am far from gifted.Anyway, I returned home and completed three other homework assignments: a project for the New Technologies class, by portion of the latest Reading group project, and the paper for the gifted elective. By then, I was done for the day.This morning I hit the desk, as the laundry was going, and took care of bills and paperwork I haven’t touched in many weeks. And as I sat here, I was feeling guilty. There was overdue school reading to do, more papers that await my attention.It hit me that I have become so consumed with attending classes and doing the homework that I have let it preoccupy me and deny me the rest of my routine life. Paying the bills is far from a luxury and I should never feel guilty that I’m doing something as mundane as that.Fortunately, I’m about to head out for the Democratic Town Committee’s Century Club Brunch where my pal Heather is one of the award recipients. Deb and I will hobnob with friends, colleagues and elected officials. It will force me to think about things other than education so it’s a well-timed break.Of course, once it ends and we return home, I’ll probably crack the books and get the reading done because it cannot be denied forever.
So Friday and Saturday I spent 8 hours in class, the second of my three required electives. This one was on identifying and teaching the Gifted Student and it was great fun. The teacher had us reading handouts aloud and working in groups on silly little projects, all to demonstrate ways to extend a classroom learning experience rather than piling on more work for the gifted students. I came away from that feeling good and confirmed in my belief that I am far from gifted.
Anyway, I returned home and completed three other homework assignments: a project for the New Technologies class, by portion of the latest Reading group project, and the paper for the gifted elective. By then, I was done for the day.
This morning I hit the desk, as the laundry was going, and took care of bills and paperwork I haven’t touched in many weeks. And as I sat here, I was feeling guilty. There was overdue school reading to do, more papers that await my attention.
It hit me that I have become so consumed with attending classes and doing the homework that I have let it preoccupy me and deny me the rest of my routine life. Paying the bills is far from a luxury and I should never feel guilty that I’m doing something as mundane as that.
Fortunately, I’m about to head out for the Democratic Town Committee’s Century Club Brunch where my pal Heather is one of the award recipients. Deb and I will hobnob with friends, colleagues and elected officials. It will force me to think about things other than education so it’s a well-timed break.
Of course, once it ends and we return home, I’ll probably crack the books and get the reading done because it cannot be denied forever.