Advice? This semester, I’ve found myself questioning my teaching more than I ever have before. From the very first day, I was encouraged to attend all staff meetings—both early morning and late afternoon—to show that I’m a team player. I’ve made every effort to do just that, consistently attending meetings that start as early as 6 AM and staying as late as 5 PM.
At the same time, I’ve been managing my TPA, keeping up with lesson planning, and coordinating observations with my clinical coach. It’s been a lot to balance, and as the semester comes to a close, my main priority is successfully completing my TPA and required hours.
Recently, my mentor teacher told me she expects me to continue working through the end of the semester. In the moment, I felt a lot of pressure to agree, but I’m now realizing that continuing at that level will make it difficult for me to focus on completing my TPA. I’ve tried to communicate that I have prior obligations and may not be able to attend everything, but she has continued to express that she is counting on me.
At this point, I’m feeling stuck. I’m concerned about maintaining a positive evaluation, but I also need to prioritize completing my program requirements and preparing for my next steps, including getting and applying for jobs( also did I mention this is completely unpaid) . I’m unsure how to set a firm boundary in a way that is professional and respectful, without negatively impacting my evaluation. Advice.?