Empathetic Limitations

In 2007 I began working with alternative education. This was a full time job of teaching out of school suspended students social studies and English. Last year this job went to part time. I now work with OSS students in the morning and another alternative program in the afternoon teaching 9th and 10th grade Global Studies to students with severe emotional, behavioral, social and lack stability at home. Not all my students meet all categories, but it is a challenging day to meet curriculum requirements while providing emotional support and stability.

It is a lot of hats to wear and a lot of balls to balance.  Each day I try to re-charge my patience and empathy but continually fear that it is being chipped away.

I believe students in alternative education must have structure and consistency. They must have teachers who want to be there--and therein lies the paradox...teachers burn out, students need stability and consistency. Can there be a balance? A compromise? Or is exhaustion inevitable?