Oh yes. I finally did it right this year. For the last five years, my thought process prior to winter break went something like this:
I will have two weeks off around the holidays. That means a lot of "free" time. I normally wish I had more "free" time to get my grading done. Ergo, I should have all three of my preps turn in essays or projects, because I will have ample "free" time to grade them over break.
It's now year six, however, and I am starting to feel more on the cusp of being a veteran teacher than a new teacher. This year, my thought process went more like this:
I have had all four of my preps work very hard this semester; both I and they are mentally exhausted. I should not assign anything big during the week before break, so I can rest up and reenergize so I can be a better teacher when I return in January.
In years past I would have worried that this was a lapse in academic rigor or professional consistency. I would have been terrified that it would be perceived as laziness by my colleagues, or a sign of low expectations by my students. However, as my confidence as a teacher grows, I realize that this sort of thing is necessary. I know I will be MUCH more excited and prepared to teach after two weeks of getting things done around my house and attending to my emaciated social life than I have been in the past after spending two weeks grading and wishing I were spending time with friends and family (or, conversely, spending time with friends and family and feeling bad because I know I should be working).
I've already started enjoyed myself thoroughly, and it's only the second day of break. Hee hee hee. Why didn't I figure this out sooner?
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