Nightmares should never become reality

Saturday night I didn't sleep well and woke up Sunday morning in a panic after having all these crazy nightmares about giving my students the CRTs. I had multiple dreams but each one had it's own theme of out-of-control students and an exasperated teacher...me! Normally, I look forward to CRT testing week because it is a week of quiet (rarely heard in a middle school classroom) and nothing to grade. But I arrived at school Monday a little nervous. This is my third year giving the CRT so I shouldn't have had anything to worry about. Yet as soon as my 5th period arrived to class, my nightmares were my reality. I think back to my childhood and the reoccurring nightmares I used to have. I don't care what the nightmare is about, they should NEVER become the reality. If they did, I would have been marred by a tiger while hunting with my Dad a long time ago.

I left Monday feeling very defeated and frustrated. I dreaded going back today and facing that same struggle all week. Thankfully, I received revelation...really a reminder...of how I have prepared my students and set up for the test in the past. With my new game plan, I went in today prepared. And...SUCCESS! Each class settled down much quicker and were able to finish much more of the test. I can now be at ease with the rest of the week knowing that my easy week of rare silence has returned.