Yeah, right. What teacher in the whole world doesn’t take work home? Much like a regimented schedule, this is the goal. If you pack your school bag with all of the papers that need to be graded, all of your teacher’s editions, your grade book and lesson plan book, data notebook, lamination to cut out and a long list of all the things that need to be accomplished before morning, you will fall into a pattern that monopolizes the time that you need to relax and recharge your own batteries. If you want to be able to give your students the attention they need and deserve all day, every day, you must take care of yourself first.  One of the biggest ways to accomplish this is to jealously guard your before and after school time and your planning time. Often, your planning time will be sacrificed for any number of meetings you must attend, so be sure to spend your morning and afternoon time wisely.  Make yourself a checklist and prioritize it. Set a timer to keep you focused on how much time you are spending giving feedback vs. planning for lessons. The reality of just how much is on your plate will hit you about the second full week of school and will typically result in overwhelm. Know that it is coming and plan ahead. Some new teachers vow to stay at school until their work is done and they find themselves being run out of the building by the custodian on a daily basis. If it is dark when you come to school and dark when you leave, something is wrong. Being the last car in the teacher parking lot is not the answer. Prioritizing and guarding your time is the answer.

It is so easy to walk in your classroom in the morning and get distracted by another teacher who wants to tell you about the events of last night. She may even bring you coffee or a bagel. Be polite and professional but don’t forget about your prioritized list because if you voluntarily give up your sacred few minutes of planning for socializing, your own emotional health and your family will ultimately pay the price. 

          Again, practice “Radical Self Care”. This is important for all of us, but especially teachers.

Some years ago  I asked  a very wise man for his advice about a particularly  difficult situation I was in. He said to remember what the flight attendants say before the plane takes off and they are going over the safety instructions. They always say…”In the event of a drop in cabin pressure, put the mask on yourself first, and then assist those around you. “

If you don’t take care of yourself first, it will be difficult to support those around you.

Pamela Webster, M. Ed., SPED