In the busy world of education, teachers often balance their love for teaching with practical responsibilities. The workload placed on educators in contemporary society is immense, especially considering their pay. One dedicated educator, Mrs. Wolfenden, who truly cares about her students, shares a glimpse into her typical day and the challenges she faces in today’s changing teaching environment.
“So, Mrs. Wolfenden,” I ask, “how would you describe a typical morning preparing for your role as a teacher?” She responds, “I’m up at 5 a.m. because of the 30-minute commute,” she begins, recounting her day. “I like to get here early to plan and set up.” This early start allows her to prepare her classroom, create agenda slides, and develop engaging warm-up activities for her students. For her, these moments of quiet preparation are essential to setting a positive tone for the day ahead.
The responsibilities of a teacher extend far beyond the classroom. Alongside teaching, she aids students with disabilities, ensuring they receive necessary accommodations. “I also accommodate multilingual learners and am constantly learning how to better support those students,” she explains. Collaboration with fellow teachers is another critical aspect of her role; she collects data, grades assignments, and responds to emails while coaching and advising various clubs. Balancing these tasks requires significant effort, and she finds herself working long hours—often 12-hour days—struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Despite her dedication, she encounters significant challenges with the current educational curriculum. “There’s not enough time to teach all the necessary content and skills in depth,” she states. If she could change one thing, it would be the ability to select content that resonates with her students’ interests, along with a greater emphasis on women’s history. This flexibility, she believes, would foster a more engaging learning environment.
Collaboration with colleagues is a bright spot in her workday. “We have common planning periods where we share materials and brainstorm ideas,” she says. This teamwork not only lightens her workload but also enhances the learning experience for students. However, she acknowledges that carving out time for collaboration amid other commitments is a challenge.
While FCPS attempts to provide planning time through rotating professional development sessions, she believes more could be done to alleviate teachers’ workloads. The sheer volume of paperwork and administrative duties can feel overwhelming, diverting her focus from student needs. “I want to spend more time on what my students require,” she asserts.
When unexpected disruptions occur, such as behavioral issues, she follows a tiered intervention approach. “I always prioritize understanding the student’s perspective first,” she states, emphasizing the importance of building relationships. For new teachers entering the profession, her advice is clear: “Block out time and remember you are a person, too. If you’re going through a difficult time, your students will notice.”
As she reflects on the evolving role of teachers, she recognizes that technology will continue to reshape the profession. “We’ve replaced many paper-based tasks with digital tools, and that trend will only grow,” she observes. While this may increase workload, it also opens avenues for individualized learning, presenting both challenges and opportunities for educators.
In a profession characterized by relentless demands, this dedicated teacher exemplifies resilience and commitment. Her journey highlights the complexities of modern education and the urgent need for systemic support to ensure that teachers can thrive both personally and professionally.
