On the first day of Spring, I always look at the start of a new season as a fresh start and new beginnings. It is a great time to reset and reflect on our goals, needs and wants.
What do I need to keep doing, what do I need to change, what would I like to add into my daily life?
As mothers, wives and teachers, we tend to put ourselves last. Not only is this common and feels like the right thing to do, in hindsight it couldn’t be any further from the truth.
When I was a young teacher and up until a few years ago, I was always scheduling appointments on days off or vacations because I didn’t want to miss work, or it was too much work to miss work.
But what happened each and every time, is if I didn’t take care of myself, then there I was sick trying to make sub plans, which is the worst!
*Do yourself a favor, at the start of the school year and new semester make Emergency Sub Plans for all classes ahead of time, keep them in a specific spot in your room. You will thank me later!
A few years ago, it hit me that I needed to take time for myself and take days off when needed…NOT because I had to. We have sick/personal days for a reason and we need to start using them! Even if it is just for staying home, laying on the couch and watching Netflix. (I like to call that a mental health day!)
We cannot pour from an empty cup. I know too many teachers that have put things off for various reasons, myself included, and sometimes a simple cold turns into a sinus infection or worse. I know we always want to be there each day for our students and colleagues but the best way that we can be there and 100% is by taking care of ourselves.
Let’s make some Spring resets:
- Use your personal/sick days when needed NOT when you have to.
- Make those appointments and keep them (doctors, dentist, therapy, etc.).
- Leave work at a reasonable hour (I would only stay 30-60 minutes after the final bell).
- Leave your school work at school! (Use your planning and lunch time to get things done so you don’t have to take it home with you. Best thing I ever did for myself!).
- Don’t grade everything! (My students never knew what was going to be graded, or just a participation grade, therefore they always had to do their best).
- Clean up your classroom, desk, etc. before you leave for the day no matter how tired you are. Your morning self will thank you!
- Make it okay to reuse activities, games, resources! Don’t reinvent the wheel if you don’t have to! Or go ahead and purchase items that you have wanted to get on TPT to make your life easier! (Shop my TPT store!)
What resets are you going to make, change or add to make your teacher’s heart happy?
As always, I hope that you have found this information useful and helpful to you! 💜
Merci,
Amanda