Quick Thought: If You Feel Behind, You’re Not Alone

I was scrolling through my own blog the other day, looking back at what I did at this time last year, and it hit me. I am four full weeks behind where I was. Last year I had 65 minute classes. I had 180 school days. I had far fewer interruptions and almost zero strange schedules. This year I’m teaching 40 to 45 minute classes. At least once a week one of them gets chopped to 30 minutes. Some days I don’t see certain groups at all. And I’m working with a 173 day schedule.

I’m sharing this for any teacher who feels that pressure creeping in. I refuse to water down what I teach just to say I “covered it.” If I’m going to teach something, I’m going to do a good job and give kids an experience they actually learn from. Eighth grade social studies is important. It shapes how students understand this country and the ideas that built it. I’m proud to teach it and I refuse to cheapen it just because the clock is tight.

So if you feel behind, you’re fine. We all are in some way. Do what you can and don’t shortchange students. Bring the stories to life. Connect the past to their community and their world. You can’t do that by rushing through a textbook and obsessing over a pacing guide. Quality matters more than speed, and the kids will remember the difference.