spring break!
¡Hola! from Cuidad de México (Mexico City) where it’s been several years since I came but had fond memories of. Just here for the vibes and the food and the cute cafes to work from. I came with basically no plans but am getting into adventures and saving more adventures for my next visit, which hopefully isn’t in another eight years.
When I worked in corporate, one of the perks I loved was the ability and flexibility to travel whenever you wanted. You could do a trip last minute and avoid the high season. I still miss those things but damn, being on spring break is a delight. Being forced to take a whole week off? And then a whole summer? And also winter break and mid-winter recess and all the international holidays that New York City public schools celebrates? Joyous and a huge perk.
The past month(ish) teaching has been pretty rough. The stretch between mid-winter recess and spring break is our longest so far of continuous teaching days (though there’s a chance spring break to Memorial Day is longer, don’t quote me). I ran out of buffer time from my pre-semester lesson planning and had to essentially plan and work every single night. It was a terrible position to be in. I was working until 11pm each night, just preparing for the next day and then I had to do it all over again.
One of the benefits of being a career changer is that I’ve gained perspective and experience for time management. I can say no to plans because I know the anxiety of standing in front of a room and being unprepared, with all eyes on you (and I do care too much to just put on YouTube videos). I also know and appreciate the importance of work-life balance; when you have to take care of your body and social battery outside of work. This catch-22 is the tragedy and unfortunate reality of being a first-year teacher but now, SPRING BREAK!
The students were also getting a little on my nerves but that’s okay, absence makes the heart grow fonder and I’m sure I’ll be stoked to see them again next week. (Maybe).
I had very little time to plan a proper spring break trip so opted to come somewhere that I had been before. I had said to friends, “If all I manage to do is to sit at cute cafes and lesson plan, that would be ideal.” Truth be told, I’ve been distracted by how beautiful this city is and indulging in consumptive activities every day but the week’s not over yet.
I was planning on a semi-serious post about classroom management and experimenting with groups (because that’s been illuminating) but next time! Instead, I sat down outdoors at this cafe in Condesa and my headspace right now is how incredible it feels to have worked hard and relax for a full week. Is this what life could be like as a teacher (with a travel interest and no children)?
Side note: a few people have reached out asking about the NYC Teaching Fellows experience and process and yes, I think I’m ready to chat about it! Unless I get behind again.
