Overwhelmed and kinda disappointed

I know this feeling all too well, my director already didn't like the idea of her staff 'Getting comfortable' (wth?) and decided to move various teachers to other rooms - my turn came halfway through the year with my Twos class and I found myself thrown into Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten because the previous teacher left a huge mess of their class and decided maternity leave would be the perfect time to run for the hills.

'Oh but you used to be a VPK teacher! You'd do great!' ... uuuuugh.

Trying to readjust to a whole different level of development/needs/expectations and getting this hoard of a classroom under control alone was a nightmare - the fact that we got hit with the shut down was a friggen mercy for me. But I get that feeling, your whole world is already sideways and the last thing you need is for this to come along and just put you completely upside-down. Two's are crazy, they're in that weird transitional phase where they realize No has power and they constantly want to challenge it while also being a nonstop bundle of energy and emotion - and navigating that is mentally and physically exhausting!

For now? Coast, pick the battles, but mainly focus on taking care of yourself before you burn out. I'd say try to have another conversation with the director, let them know that they might see you're 'flourishing' but you're feeling in over your head. And if it looks like you're gonna be stuck there and it's not for you? Maybe its time to consider putting out some feelers at other centers.

/r/ECEProfessionals Thread