Just Venting!! ARGH!

So, we heard today that we were selected to recieve a technology grant from HP (we = 4th grade team @ our school)... We knew from the beginning that it would be a lot of work, and a couple of us were kind of excited about the possibility of getting all of this great technology to use in our classrooms and a $500 stipend each. We didn't want to get excited until we heard either way...and today we heard that we'd gotten it!

Well, the two of us who were sort of positive about the grant just knew that it would be a big talking (griping) point during lunch today. The team that we work with is GREAT, no doubts about it, but can be negative when it comes to change...especially things that require extra work. Sorry to say it, but it's true. I guess I can be, too, but I know that if it's something I have to do, getting upset over it isn't going to solve anything. It's only going to make it that much harder. That's basically what I said during lunch today. I'm not SUPER-DUPER excited about all of the extra work and time that's going to go into this project, but I'm trying to find a silver lining.

One of the other teachers said that she wanted "out" of the project because she didn't want to do anything that would take ANY extra time away from her son. She didn't understand why I wasn't upset about the extra time requirements...with Keira at home and another one on the way. I sort of resented that she would imply that my time with Keira wasn't as important to me as her time with her son was to her... But, I kept my mouth closed to avoid anymore unnecessary drama. I think that I'm pretty lucky to have a job with such great hours (8:00-3:15 Monday through Friday, from August to May). I am only away from Keira until 4:00 at the latest and am home with her every weekend and holidays and summer months. I could have a job from 9-6 or I could have to work on weekends, holiday and summers, but I don't. So, I think that if I have to spend an extra hour or so a week doing work, then so be it. It could be much worse, you know?

Anyway, I know that next year will bring a lot of changes (personally and professionally), but I'm willing to be optimistic about them. Hopefully my colleagues will be as optimistic (or at least not as vocal about their pessimism) and that our school year goes as smoothly as possible. Time will tell...