Dream Interpretation - Teacher fails himself

When a dreamer must pass a test, or endure a review of his performance, his own harsh attitude toward himself comes through.  He seems to believe that he has done nothing that he should have.  But, his dream directs him to ‘write a page from his favorite book.’  That would be an excellent ‘take away’ from today’s dream about a life review.

Dear Carolyn,

I have begun to accept that I am now in the lastphase of my life.  I was forced out of a career I loved – teaching – by budget cuts in my school district and “early retirement.”  It has taken me quite a long time, several years, to come to terms with the fact that I wasn’t really ready to leave.  I felt rejected and angry.  But now, I’m over it and trying to look forward.  I am sending you the anxious dream I just had this morning.  It brings back bad memories.

I’m a teacher and it’s the last day of school.  I am totally unprepared!  The report cards are sitting on my desk, not even started on.  I have barely taught them any math at all!  I wonder if they even know the times tables and wonder if I can teach them basic skills and even double-digit multiplication quickly.  I decide  to do a spelling lesson on “ou” – though, thought, through etc.  I tell the kids that they will have to write a page about their favorite book.  I am embarrassed because next year’s teacher will know immediately that I haven’t taught them anything.

Signed,

Old Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Your dream is set perfectly since you were a teacher – one who evaluates others’ progress.  And, you are now at the moment in life where it is natural to look back and assess yourself – write your own report card.

Somehow, though, you find yourself “totally unprepared” to complete your own report card.  Perhaps this moment has come on you suddenly, even though you have had several years to prepare yourself.  Your anger may have delayed a normal reflection on a phase of life that has ended.  Your anxious dream suggests that you may not have thought through to the point where you now find yourself, and beyond.  It finds you a bit frantically casting about for what you have accomplished.

You are quite hard on yourself, Dear Dreamer, based on what you assume others will think of you – that you haven’t taught – or learned – anything.  This simply isn’t so.  Take a tip from your own directions to your dream students:  Write a page about your favorite memories.  That is to say, begin to make notes of your best times in the classroom, your most rewarding moments with students, your favorite recollections from the rewarding career that you loved.  Then tuck them away on a bookshelf as you look ahead to the rest of your life.  If you regress to your bitter feelings, pull out that book and read it again.

Sweet Dreams to You!