We all know teaching is a stressful job. Educators work hard to bring their very best to their students every day. From the very first day of school to the very last day of school, there are ways that we can all be proactive and ready for great things to happen!
Preparing for a Successful Year
When the school plans its back-to-school night, plan to have some type of game or snack in your room that is inviting to parents. This is the first impression that you will make, along with the welcome letter that you sent home. Creating a nurturing and calm environment is essential to learning, and the parents can step into your classroom feeling this from the very beginning.
Having your room well laid out, activities and lessons prepared, and all of the textbooks and materials you will need to last the school year will get you started on the right foot.
It is rewarding to be on a committee. Being part of a committee help you feel as if your voice matters for what the school is working towards. It also sparks relationships with your colleagues that may not otherwise exist due to the demands of being in your classroom. Being involved often opens your eyes to other areas within the school that could use support. Sometimes, taking a step back from the day-to-day routine, it can be refreshing to lend yourself to another area of the school. Collaborating with your colleagues can be rewarding and comforting to know that you aren’t experiencing issues alone.
Organization Tips
It may often seem silly but think of how many classrooms you may walk into, and you see labels created everywhere, items color-coded, and bins. These are all signs of an organized teacher. When everything has its own place to be, teachers can grab items quickly and be ready for the day. Organization is important to make the flow of the day go much better. When students have to wait for the teacher to be ready there will more than likely be an increased number of behaviors.
One of the most important ways a teacher can be organized is to have well-thought-out lesson plans. To some this may seem like it is not important. However, having a plan in place every day will help enhance the instruction in your classroom and help with the pacing of your day. The lesson allows you to prepare for items that will be needed and keeps your instruction moving.
Self-Care Tips
Self-care is something we always hear about as educators. Often you here “do something for yourself.” I am sure most are feeling there just isn’t enough time. Taking care of yourself can start the minute you get out of bed in the morning. Starting the day off with breakfast is a great way to fuel your body. If time allows, even if it is only for fifteen minutes, taking a walk or doing a workout video at home is a great way to get yourself moving. Packing yourself a nutritious lunch will also get you through the afternoon as you start to feel tired from the day. Nutrition is extremely important and a fairly easy way to care for yourself.
Having a good relationship with your colleagues can also help with self-care. It builds a friendship and a bond with those that you work with and allows you to have someone to lean on when you are having a stressful day. Venting to someone and not taking all of the emotions and feelings home about your day will make you feel better and come home with a fresh mindset for your family.
Journaling may also be a useful self-care tip. Looking for moments of joy during the day and reflecting on them may help you hold onto those feelings. Writing down funny quotes from our students or things you laughed at may also make you smile.
Journaling could also help when you are feeling overwhelmed. It may help you reflect on what you are feeling overwhelmed about. Jotting down questions may also help, this way you can direct these questions to someone that can best help you. Getting questions answered often relieves stress that you may be feeling.
Here’s to a great school year!
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