It’s going to be a wild ride! – Let’s make it to the end.
Buckle in and hold on tight.
We are launching into the crazy season.
Term 4 is a massive one.
In this post, I have listed six of the “joy-stealing” traps I fall into.
Reflecting on them might help us all cross the finish line with a smile.
#1 Be Bendable
Reality check – In term 4 there will be loads of interruptions.
* Rosters will change.
* Classes will be split.
* Routines will be adjusted.
* There will be all kinds of extra-curricular events.
* Some lessons won’t get finished.
* A “normal” day will be very, very, very rare.
Most teachers are highly organised people.
Last minute changes are very frustrating.
But…
Accepting that our plans will need to evolve, can help us cope with the unexpected.
So…
Let’s diligently prepare our days, but still choose to be flexible.
Bendy things are hard to break.
#2 Time is Precious
Here’s a practical tip.
We don’t need to mark everything!
A wise friend recently reminded me that marking is simply a tool.
It has two purposes:
1. It gives useful feedback to a student.
2. It gives useful feedback to us.
That’s it!
So let’s stop literally “ticking all the boxes”.
Too often we are marking books for the wrong reasons.
These are two of the big ones:
My Pride – Worrying about what other people might think.
My Perfectionism – Wanting every detail to be correct.
If we are meticulously correcting work after school, we are often wasting our time.
Instead…
1. Give specific feedback during the lesson.
2. Pop a sticker on the page.
3. Initial it.
4. Put it away.
I have a stamp that says – “Verbal Teacher Feedback Given”.
BEST STAMP EVER!
#3 Create Some Space
Number three is a hard one.
The overcrowded curriculum we are required to teach is a constant source of pressure.
We need to get everything finished.
But…
It is super important to allow a bit of wiggle room.
We need to be wise about what we can realistically cover in the time we have.
Too often we cram our days full to overflowing.
We crack the whip, desperately trying to get it all done.
It is exhausting for us.
It is overwhelming for our kids.
This term, let’s decide to leave some space in our days for a little fun!
A game, a song, a funny clip, a riddle…
We won’t get through it all.
Prioritise the main lessons, relax about the rest.
#4 Guard Your Peace
This term I will freak out about something.
We are all just human. Some days are hard.
In difficult moments our blood pressure will rise.
Even when we are having a good day, we will come across people who are not.
The students, parents and colleagues we encounter are all dealing with their own triggers.
Stress is contagious.
Outrage rallies a crowd.
Misery loves company.
Sometimes we can be infected by a negative vibe that is nearby.
It is easy to let a 10-year-old with a bad attitude ruin our morning.
But…
That is way too much power to give a 10-year-old!
Instead of being tempted to match the energy of those around us:
– Breathe deeply.
– Provide encouragement to the stressed neighbour.
– Move on.
Our peace is far too precious to give away.
#5 “No” Is Not a Swear Word
Number five is for the people pleasers.
There will be important things to organise in Term 4.
Everyone is looking for volunteers.
Of course we should help out!
It is vital to be a team player and support our colleagues.
However…
It is not our responsibility to support everyone with everything.
Choose wisely what you say “yes” to.
Count the cost in both time and energy.
When we say “yes” to something, we are always saying “no” to something else.
Best line ever –
“I’m sorry but I just don’t have the capacity for that at the moment”.
We need to be confident saying “no” and comfortable allowing others to do the same.
#6 Unplug and Switch Off
Teaching doesn’t have an on/off button – so we have to make our own.
Decide on a start and finish time for each day.
When we stop – let’s really stop.
Go home.
Do the things we love.
Rest.
Creating a personal routine to finish the day is a good trick.
It tells your brain to power down (kind of like a bedtime routine).
Set an alarm on your phone telling you it’s pack up time.
Straighten up your desk.
Shut down your computer.
Close and lock the windows.
Pull down the blinds.
Switch off the lights.
Lock the door.
LEAVE!
So Term 4 here we come!
We can totally do it.
This spring holiday has provided a chance to rest, recharge and reboot.
Let’s start up again with wisdom.
How to be a happy teacher… keep your tank full .
Thanks for reading along.
Have a great week,
Jen
