Teacher Habits That Changed My Life
Plan ahead
⭐️When you have time at work, plan ahead. Plan your next lessons, plan for your small groups, plan for an emergency sub, copies.
⭐️You’ll thank yourself later.
Make your classroom cozy
⭐️I’m in my classroom more than I am at home during the week. You want to feel at home and so do your kids. I go above and beyond when I decorate my classroom but it doesn’t have to be like that for you. Bring in some pictures from home, posters of your dog, it makes a big difference and it allows the kids to connect with you.
Take off and don’t feel guilty
⭐️I had to learn this the hard way. I always thought no matter what, I had to go into work. That’s not the case. For me to show up for my students, a day off here and there is necessary for your mental health and your ability to teach your students better.
Leave work at work
⭐️I don’t bring work home anymore. I want to be present with my family and be able to give them my full attention and support. I don’t bring papers home to grade, I don’t track data papers at home, I leave it at school because ultimately it’s a job, it’s not my life.
Don’t sweat the small stuff
⭐️I used to get worked up over every small thing that I thought I could do better and it made me physically sick.
⭐️“Did I teach that just right? Did I aid those students according to their needs? Did I present the material correctly?”
⭐️I did all of that, constantly. It was exhausting and it was draining me and I wasn’t enjoying work anymore. I really had to reset my mind and believe in the process of my curriculum and my teaching skills. It has made so much of a difference.
Set boundaries
⭐️Set boundaries with yourself, your students, your admin, everyone. Don’t jump at every opportunity to help if it’s going to be more stressful for you. I took on every after school activity, every extra PD, watched others classes on my breaks. It’s hard to say no to people around you, it doesn’t get easier but set those boundaries and let others help!
Do the fun stuff
⭐️Do the finger painting pumpkin activity, make cool science experiments, get outside of your curriculum because hands on learning really is the best. Your students are going to remember those fun things more than they will remember your lesson down the road. Keep learning fun, you and your students will enjoy the days that you do!
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