Do you feel stressed, worried, overwhelmed with all of the hats you wear each day? If so then let me share 8 teacher habits that will take the worry away.
I used to lay awake at night worrying. I would worry if I graded all of my papers, submitted the paperwork for administration, responded to that parent email. Two am would become a familiar friend and by the time I arrived at school the next day, I was already stressed. Eventually I started looking around and noticed that some teachers weren’t in the same tizzy I was each day. And here is why.
1: They have a weekly schedule.
Having a weekly schedule can help you focus on what is important each day. Too many times teachers start the day with an impossible to-do list. Decide on the days you want to grade, or plan. Put all administration paperwork on days when you have faculty meetings.
2: They prep for the next day BEFORE leaving school.
If you don’t have time or energy for anything else, just get your room prepped. Having the homework for the next day posted, the date changed, your EQs or objectives changed out will start your next day on target. You won’t be as rushed, you are prepared if an observer pops in, and you have time to greet your students when they arrive.
3: They use their parent volunteers
Successful teachers know how to use parents. Many times your parents want to help, they just don’t know how. They are busy at work, don’t know how to help, or are afraid to help. Make it easy for them to volunteer. Have tasks that can be done at home. Hold a training session for anyone that wants to come in and help. Show them how to use the copier, how to lead a writing critique group, or practice reading and math skills. The more welcoming and open you can make the classroom, the more they will help.
4: The gave up striving for perfection.
No matter how hard you try, perfection is impossible. There will always be crayons missing wrappers, markers drying out, and kids will have bad days. Quit trying for perfect and try for happy. Find gratitude in each day. If your kids are chatty, be happy they get along. If homework doesn’t get turned in, hey there is less you have to grade.
5: They planned their assessments for the year in August.
Successful teachers plan their assessments before the lessons. Plan out more assessments than required each quarter. Let the assessment guide your teaching and reteaching. And plan the last assessment for each quarter a week before grades are due. This saves so much worry and stress.
6: They set office hours
Set those hours and tell them to parents. If your family, your workout, your regenerating time is at a specific time each day, tell people. Tell your team. If you answer e-mails during your workout, if you respond to texts during dinner, they will keep coming. If you want to check in before bedtime pick a specific time and make time for you to cool down just in case you have a demanding administrator, parent, or team member.
7: They ASKED FOR and ACCEPTED help!
You aren’t an island. Someone once told me, “Let’s help each other make it through this life.” You can’t do it all. And day by day your to-do list is growing longer and longer. You will go crazy trying to keep up. Let others help you through this teacher life.
8: They avoid the negative talk.
Get away from the negativity. Negativity breeds negativity. Stay positive. Successful teachers focus on what they love about the job. And the more positive they focus on, the more positive they get. Be grateful for everyone you come in contact with (even those kids that drive you crazy).
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