As the school year wraps up, grades need to be put in, books and electronics need to be returned, and final preparations for graduation need to be completed. A lot of student’s may be cracking down on final deadlines and finishing up any work they need to complete. Time is ticking not only for students, but for staff members as well. It isn’t uncommon for students to do their end of the bargain and fulfill their own responsibilities, and then be met with assignments still not being graded and their passes to not be granted. It can be confusing and even frustrating for students. Many ask themselves, what are the teachers and staff even doing? I decided to go around and ask staff members what they are doing during these final weeks of school.
Mr. Turgeon, the IT specialist, works with students everyday and sends down passes every period to help with any technical issues, for both students and staff members. I asked him what he is up to outside of school and he informed me, “I enjoy gaming a lot, but lately it’s been a lot of baby centric things,” Turns out, Mr. Turgeon is a new father to a little baby girl. I could only imagine how time consuming that was at home and how it could easily bleed into his manner at school. So, if you’re getting antsy on waiting for a ticket to the IT Specialist, be a bit more patient. He could be having a slow morning recovering from being a new dad at home.
Self care is important to everyone, especially teachers since finalizing grades looms over. I ask a few teachers what they do outside of school. “I enjoy biking a lot,” Mr. Pike, an English teacher, told me. He explained he gets a lot of joy going around and just relaxing. Mr. David, another English teacher, filled me in on what he does outside of school. “I do some improv shows and stand up,” It may be frustrating to hear that your teacher didn’t grade your essay because they were out biking or doing a comedy show, but it’s important to remember that everyone has a life outside of school and work. So, instead of being passive aggressive, complaining to your friends, or even taking it up with your teacher, remember they have a life outside of school and just like you, need to take a break every once in a while.
