I fast forward to the exhaustion that sets in once school starts and realize it has taken about a month to get rid of the tiredness from the last school year. It feels so good to not be bone-tired all the time, or maybe it is that I can manage it all better with an open schedule. Getting a higher dose of Remicade in a few weeks, so I hope that will get me going for school’s start, too. The brain-clutter from managing so many students and all their classes needs time to settle and evaporate, making room for clear thinking and a fresh start.
A teacher’s brain never really stops thinking and planning, though. Especially in today’s information rich world. What do I teach in each of my many courses? Why? What do my students need most? How do I deliver the concepts most effectively, and how to I better manage all the materials and procedures? What past activities and projects stay, and which need to be retired? How can I be a better teacher, each and every day? How do I keep my desk clean and organized, let alone my room? The struggle is real, and I get a kick at how some of the coolest ideas materialize at unusual times.
On the art front, my three bowl pieces are almost done. I just need to bead the edges. I really like the idea of framing the pieces this way as I’ve toyed with “building” with pieces of stitched fabric already and see this as a natural extension for wall work -- and a chance to work in more beads! Went to a fun bead show in New Hampshire over the weekend and fortunately/unfortunately found a lot of wonderful treasures. Now, to use them all up before departing the planet. Challenge accepted!