Here We Go! – A Great Start
I hope you have had a fantastic break.
I loved mine.
Christmas, sleep-ins, day-trips, long lunches, summer fun.
The freedom to spend every day however I wanted.
Perfect!
But now I need to get my head in the game.
I want to have a great year and for a great year I need a great start.
So how do I stay happy when I go back to work?
I make a decision to slow down.
There is a tendency when we return in a new year to want everything to be perfect.
All the ducks in a row.
All the questions answered.
A perfect room.
A perfect program.
A perfect plan of attack.
However…
If you want to be happy, you need to let that go.
Your room will end up just how you want it.
Your program will be done.
Your plan will come together.
But it won’t be all done straight away.
Good things take time.
Cut yourself some slack.
How to be a happy teacher… take your time.
Below are three things I prioritise at the start of a new year.
If you’re curious, read on.
Thanks for following along,
Jen 💙
I prioritise – My relationships with my colleagues.
These are the awesome people who will have your back all year.
They are vital to your long term happiness.
Spend some time reconnecting with them.
If this is something that you struggle with.. click here ⬇️
https://thehappyteacher.net/i-cant-do-this-on-my-own-building-authentic-friendships/
I Prioritise – Establishing Routines and Expectations.
It takes time and patience and consistency.
It’s boring to write about but it it vital to my long term happiness.
Set up your class rules.
Have rewards for positive behaviour and clear consequences for negative.
Stick to it, every day, in every lesson.
Go over the top with encouragement – catch them doing the right thing and drown them in positivity.
The moment they are even slightly disrespectful – respond calmly and fairly with the set consequences.
Don’t worry about trying to get your class to love you.
They will love being in a classroom with a happy teacher.
Happy teachers have clear boundaries.
If you need some encouragement around this one… click here.⬇️
https://thehappyteacher.net/what-do-you-want-from-me-setting-clear-expectations/
I Prioritise – Getting to Know My Kids.
It takes a long time to get to know my class well.
In the first week, I only know the tiniest piece of their story.
As I spend time with them I build trust and connection.
This is what it’s all about.
This is why I became a teacher.
This is where the real job satisfaction (and happiness) is found.
For some tips on how to do this… click here.⬇️
https://thehappyteacher.net/do-you-know-me-building-trust-builds-respect/
I hope this helps calm your heart and find some joy as you settle in this week.
In the next post I will share some more tips for the first week with a new class.
Jen 😊
