5 Tips for Surviving Distance Learning

5 Tips for Surviving Distance Learning

No comments distance learning, Just for Teachers, teacher self-care

Distance learning dragging you down? I hear you. I feel you. I've been teaching 100% from the computer since mid-August. I've spent my fair share of days glued to my computer, solving tech issues I'm not really qualified to solve, and adapting our curriculum to work in an online environment all while getting to know my students, identifying their needs, and trying to make connections. Oh, and meeting the needs of my own family and home.

For the first several weeks, I was working 12 hour days. One night, my husband came home to see me crying at my computer. Feelings of hopelessness, frustration, and overwhelm got the best of me. But, it was that moment that I decided I would no longer allow this learning environment to be as all consuming as I had allowed it to be. My home was being neglected, my family was being neglecgted, I was on a constant verge of an autoimmune flare (if you know, you know), and I struggled immensely to help my middle schooler not only adjust to online learning, but middle school itself. Enough was enough.

Let me be clear, I still work hard, the work is still hard, and I still have my struggles, but now I'm in a groove. I can tackle each day with a clear mind and fresh point of view so that I can be the best virtual teacher I know how to be. 

Here are the things I did, and still do, to help me find some balance with distance learning. I hope some of these resonate with you.

Set boundaries

Just do it. Is it hard? Yes (at first, anyway). Is it necessary? Yes. 

I sit down at my computer at 7:30 every morning to begin my work. My contracted hours begin at 8:21, but I have always been one who goes in a bit early. At 3:31 (end of the contract day), I turn my computer off. That's it, I'm done. No matter what, I walk away and I don't return until 7:30 the next morning. I make good use of my prep time to attend to the tasks on my daily to do list.

And, I no longer do ANY school work on the weekend. I just won't do it.

Was this hard to do? Yes. Truth be told, I had to baby step my way there, but I'm there now. I no longer feel as overwhelmed or hopeless. And, I haven't cried since that night my husband came home to that awful sight.

A few things I reminded myself of as I made this transition are:

• My mental and physical health are crucial to being an effective teacher.
• I can't teach effectively if I am burned out.
• This job does not pay me enough to sacrifice my own time and energy at the expense of caring for my own needs and family.
• Being a teacher does not mean I need give up my life and health.
• No one cares how much of my own time I commit to making distance learning work.
• Talking to fellow teachers who felt the same and wanted to lessen the burden of online teaching themselves.

Let's be honest, I still remind myself of these things.

Find other ways to spend your time

Part of my feeling of overwhelm stemmed from the fact that I was no longer making home cooked meals and my home was being neglected. I'm stuck and home. All I see is the inside of my house. And, it wasn't looking so hot. I'm a firm believer that your physical environment plays a huge part in anxiety, mood, and overall well-being. 

I started watching "Clean with Me" videos on YouTube (yes, they're strange, but oddly motivating) and started taking that time I now had available by setting boundaries to attend to our home. I didn't actively seek these out, they just popped up on my feed one day. I guess it was a sign. Haha! I've been decluttering, deep cleaning, and fixing small things here and there ever since. 

I also started exercising regularly. Again. This has always been something I do, but with all the work I was doing to stay afloat with distance learning, I simply couldn't make time for it. And that was another thing that was contributing to my sense of overwhelm. Now, I'm back to several workouts a week. I love using Beachbody workouts, but I also go for walk around our neighborhood because you can only stay cooped up for so long.

Plan with others and divvy up the tasks

Share your workload. If you have a team that works well together, capitalize on that. Divvy up the planning so that each person is responsible for planning one subject each week. 

When my team and I decided to do this, it helped make the process of setting boundaries a lot easier. We were all overwhelmed and on the verge of burnout. Each member of my team is responsible for planning a subject using our adopted curriculum and preparing the digital materials for that subject. We have a strict system in place where plans and materials must be dropped into a designated Google Drive folder by a certain day each week. This works well for us and everyone has done an amazing job of staying on schedule. 

We meet weekly to go over the plans and answer any questions others have, and also share tips and things that have been working for us. We ask each other for advice as needed. 

Sometimes, I even plan with teachers outside of my school. We bounce ideas off each other and share successes. So, if your team is too small to divvy up the planning, you can ease the burden of planning by reaching out to other teachers you might know.

TPT is your friend

I make a lot of materials using screenshots of our curriculum and the like, but sometimes I just need something a bit more engaging for our asynchronous assignments. I've been creating on TPT for many years now, but I can't create it all. And, when it comes to distance learning, I need my fair share of supplemental digital resources. Rather than spend 10 hours creating one resource every time I need one, I search TPT to see what I can find. This saves me tons of time and I'm willing to spend a few dollars here and there if it means my own time remains my own.

With that said, I have created some digital resources that I rely on often. Click below to check them out.

First Grade Digital Assessments

Second Grade Digital Assessments

Third Grade Digital Assessments

Boom Cards

Find something that brings you joy

Read a book, binge watch whatever, play a board game with your kids, diffuse your favorite essential oil (mine is peppermint), leisurely peruse Pinterest, bake something, decorate for the season...these are all ways I bring joy to my world these days. 

If you're looking for some binge worthy shows, here are a few of my faves on Netflix:

• Jane the Virgin
• New Girl 
• Schitt's Creek
• Man with a Plan
• The Last Kingdom
• Ashley Garcia Genius in Love
• The Good Place
• Community
• One Day at a Time
• Mr. Iglesias
• Lucifer

I realize most of these are comedy. What can I say, I like to laugh.

Bringing joy doesn't have to be big, it just has to warm your heart and take your mind off other things. What brings you joy? Share in the comments below!

If you are still experiencing a great deal of overwhelm and hopelessness with distance learning, I hope some of these ideas might resonate with you. Remember, teaching cannot dictate how you live your life. It should not come between you and your home, your family, or your well-being. I hope you are on the path to finding a groove and a bit of peace. 

XOXO

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One Teacher's Journey to Self-Care

One Teacher's Journey to Self-Care

No comments Just for Teachers, Stress Management, teacher self-care

I've always been a proponent of self-care, especially for teachers. But, until recently, I didn't really attach much weight to that term. I've always made time for myself. I indulge in pedicures and monthly massages. I read. I exercise. In a nutshell, if it makes me happy, I deem it a form of self-care. On one level, these things are a form of self-care.

But, what I recently realized was that the ultimate form of self-care is taking care of ME. As in, my health as it impacts my quality of life.

This post is long, but it documents my journey to a deeper realization of what self-care means to me. I am feeling very vulnerable in posting this, but chances are some of you may be able to relate. Hopefully parts of this post will resonate with you and you will realize that self-care can mean different things to different people depending upon the season of their life.

My Journey
A few years ago I started noticing several vague health symptoms popping up. Symptoms that many would brush off as being everyday health complaints, or simply due to age. But here's the thing, I knew they weren't normal for me, mostly because they never went away and they never got better either. Something was off.

My voice would go hoarse for no apparent reason. I developed a deep, dry cough that flared up daily. I had a hard time managing stress that previously never made a dent on my nerves. I experienced come and go anxiety that I could not explain. Most of the time that anxiety was firmly rooted in my body, not my mind. Meaning, my body felt anxious and wound up, my chest was tight, but my head was calm. I'd get bad heartburn. So bad, that I'd clench my chest in pain. I was breathless, for no apparent reason and people would notice it when we were talking. I'd often feel jittery. I experienced heart palpitations, or my heart would just race and then stop. My hands and feet would swell up, and feel stiff. My body couldn't regulate its own temp at night. And during the day, my hands were always cold (and I live in the desert). My sleep suffered. My once patient demeanor changed and I found myself feeling more irritated than patient. As time went on, I began experiencing fatigue (not to be confused with having a sluggish day). Then, I developed some pretty bad brain fog. I couldn't remember conversations that I'd had ten minutes prior, and I was beginning to forget memories about my own life that had always been so crystal clear. I would forget names and simple words. Thoughts wouldn't come out right which made communicating with others fairly tricky. Couple all of this with a bout of chronic hives that covered my body, and sometimes my face, (my second bout with them in four years), and I was a mess!

Many days, I felt like I was trapped in my body watching it do things that I had no control over.

My body was under a lot of stress, and I didn't acknowledge it. I ignored it. Working a job that requires you to give 110% every single day just made things harder on my body. I was able to push through these issues most of the time, but this last fall/winter, things were bad. It was beginning to feel like my symptoms were taking over. I wasn't able to address every classroom concern because I had little to no energy. I wasn't able to speak as clearly as I needed to. Often times, I couldn't find my words and I'd lose my train of thought mid lesson! This was not OK.

I ignored my symptoms for years. I was raised to push through things, to tough them out. And, I convinced myself that I was too busy to deal with them. But when those ugly, itchy, dangerous hives came back, and I found that my teaching was being impacted, I had no choice but to go to the doctor.

Before heading to the doctor, I spoke with my mom and shared all my symptoms with her. She has hypothyroidism and basically said, "Um, I think you have what I have. You need to tell the doctor about all of this too."

The Diagnosis
After several office visits, multiple blood tests, and a referral to an endocrinologist, I found out that I have Hashimoto's Disease (an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid...your immune system basically attacks the thyroid and tries to kill it). In addition to that, it's suspected that I have a histamine intolerance (yucky hives and some similar symptoms to Hashimoto's).

The Realization
At this point, I realized that what I thought were minor health related inconveniences were actual problems tied to much bigger problems. I learned that I have both a chronic illness and a suspected inability to adequately break down histamine. Learning this was not devastating. It wasn't sad in the least. It was a relief. Now I knew there had been something wrong with me all this time (and I wasn't going cuckoo).

I learned that ignoring your symptoms is not a form of self-care. It's a form of self-harm. 

Upon being diagnosed, I was told that my Hashimoto's would not be treated with meds. And, I was OK with that. Thankfully I had already started working with my registered dietitian to address the suspected histamine intolerance (this is hard to get a diagnosis for, but the doctor and nutritionist both think it was the root problem associated with my hives). I was beginning to see some improvements with those symptoms, so once I was diagnosed with the Hashimoto's, I asked her to help me devise a diet that would also address those symptoms and issues. So, rather than let nature run it's course med-free, I decided to address my health issues through diet.

I've come to realize that true self-care means telling myself that I am important enough to put forth the effort needed to heal and be healthy.

The Present
Fast forward to now, 6 months later, and my body is free of hives. Many of the symptoms I was experiencing related to my Hashimoto's have either gone away, or improved significantly. I still struggle with fatigue, heart palpitations, processing stress (when your body is under stress, it's harder to be resilient to stress), and inflammation/stiffness in my hands, but not to the same degree as before. I also get flares. This means my immune system can be triggered, and inflammation is triggered. Basically, during a flare, you regress and experience all kinds of symptoms that may have gone away, or symptoms may intensify.

Flares are very frustrating because symptoms I was able to reverse or get rid of, come back. It can be very isolating and emotional, but I have to remind myself that I know how to take care of myself and I just have to work a bit harder to get through the flare. But I also give myself grace and allow myself to own my emotions so that I can move forward with my self-care.

Self-care means owning your feelings and trusting yourself to get through the hurdles.

All this to say that while I have come pretty far, my journey is not complete. It will be a life-long journey.

Nowadays, my teaching is no longer clouded by brain fog and anxiety, or everything else in between. My thoughts are crystal clear, I can find my words, and I am on top of all the things I need to be.

How? Through diet and lifestyle changes, under the supervision of a medical professional. I've completely changed the way I eat by following a low histamine autoimmune protocol diet (again, under the supervision of a professional). I've spent countless hours learning about autoimmune disease, because knowledge is power. I had to make (and continue to make) purposeful lifestyle changes.

I've learned to be more in tune with my body. Instead of ignoring symptoms as they appear, I address them. I make sure I go to bed as early as I can, as I recognize that my body needs as much rest as it can get. I make sure that when I exercise it isn't too intense as that can compromise my already unstable immune system and trigger fatigue.

I learned that self-care is making sure my body gets what it needs, when it needs it, even if it doesn't sound like fun at that moment. The most important thing I have learned about self-care is it isn't always easy, but it's definitely worth it.

It's hard to follow a strict diet, and I'm not going to lie, I've gone rogue a few times, but I usually end up paying for it. Sometimes I don't get the sleep I know my body needs, and then I regret how tired I am the next day (tired in my universe borders on fatigue - I struggle to speak clearly or concisely, I feel like a sloth, and I have trouble bringing any level of energy or emotion to the table). But, I am human.

Lesson learned: self-care means I recognize that I might fail from time to time, that I am human and I'm trying my best. 

While I have worked hard to take care of myself and have experienced a great deal of healing, I haven't been able to reverse all my symptoms. And, that's OK. Self-care is a journey.

Self-care means giving myself some grace and recognizing that I'm doing my best to take care of me.

Final Thoughts
My journey has helped me see that self-care is much deeper than taking time to indulge in the activities that make me feel pampered. I'm not knocking those things. I indulge in them regularly.

My journey has shown me that self-care more importantly means taking care of my health. It has taught me that self-care takes hard work, patience, and dedication, and that I'm worth it.

Self-care is so much more than doing what makes you happy. It's doing what keeps YOU healthy and thriving so you can thoroughly enjoy the things that make you happy.

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Summer Reading Picks for Teachers {2018}

Summer Reading Picks for Teachers {2018}

2 comments Just for Teachers, Summer Reading, teacher self-care, Teachers Love Summer

Summer and reading go hand in hand. Am I right? For me, it's the time of year when I can really settle in with a book and enjoy the content. Summer started a few weeks ago and I've already managed to read some great books. And, I also have a list of TBR books at the ready.

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of my links.  For more information about my Disclosure Policy, please visit this link.

Keep reading to learn about all of my 2018 summer reading picks. Warning: I don't read books with heavy content. They just aren't my thing. I like to keep it light. I like to escape reality. I like to avoid sadness, destruction, and agony. If you're the same kind of reader, then these picks will be right up your alley!

You can probably find many of these books at your local library, but sometimes the newer titles can be harder to get your hands on (at least that's the case at my library). If you can relate, Amazon links have been provided for your convenience. :)

This summer, I finally started reading on a Kindle. Not exclusively. I do prefer an actual book, but sometimes the Kindle book prices can't be beat, and it's nice being able to take multiple books with you, without all the bulk.

Books I've Already Read (and Highly Recommend)

Confessions of a Domestic Failure- This book is hilarious. It's also real and honest. I can't say enough good things about it. The story centers around Ashley Keller who is both overwhelmed and in love with being a new mom. She isn't a perfect Pinterest mom, and she doesn't have it all together. She's kind of a hot mess, just like many moms in the real world. It's an easy read you won't regret.

Fitness Junkie- In this story, Janey Sweet finds herself getting caught up in a whirlwind of fitness fads all in the name of losing weight to appease her judgmental bestie and business partner. Don't worry, she sobers up and teaches that guy a lesson and learns to love herself for who she is. Girl power.

The Knockoff- This book is written by the same authors of Fitness Junkie. Since I enjoyed that one, I decided to read this one too (actually still reading it as I write this post). The books are not related. The Knockoff is about an up and comer with ambitions of taking over her former fashion idol's position at a magazine. The up comer, Eve, is actually a former assistant to the woman she's trying to replace, Imogen (a top fashion editor) and the generational differences between the two adds to the drama. It's good!

The Hating Game- This was a spicy read, friends. You've been warned. But, the story is fun. Basically, the two main characters act like they hate each other, but really they love each other. They have to work in the same small office space making it hard to contain their hate/love for each other. Finally, and reluctantly, they give in and give love a chance.

Innocent in Las Vegas- Sometimes I like to read mysteries, but only if they aren't heavy, or gory. Or scary. This series meets my requirements: light and easy to read, but still fun to try and figure out "who done it." Plus, it's set here in Vegas! It was an easy read. I finished it in one day. This book is the first in a series so we meet the main character, Tiffany, who is blackjack dealer looking to get her PI business off the ground. She is hired to solve a murder mystery. Sounds heavy, but I promise you, it is not. It is light, entertaining, and a relaxing read. I'll probably read more in the series soon.

TBR (To Be Read) Picks That You Might Want to Read Too

Small Admissions-This book is my next read. It's about a woman who accepts a job in private school admissions. It sounds like a (light) fun read!

According to a Source- I'm a sucker for any book that is set in Hollywood and centered around celebrity gossip (although, I'm pretty sure they will be made up celebrities-hehe). I can't wait to read this gem.

Matchmaking for Beginners- The lead character in this story finds that her new marriage has ended but somehow ends up becoming a matchmaker. Even though she doesn't know how. Sounds funny.

When Life Gives You Lululemons- I'm a fan of The Devil Wears Prada, and this book features the assistant, Emily, from Devil. Overall, it's story about friendship and rich people behaving badly. What's not to love?

Crazy Rich Asians- Before I watch this movie, I want to read the book. The movie previews looked good, so I have high hopes that the book will be even better. It's actually a trilogy, so I've already decided that if I like this one, I'll read the other two books too. Can't wait!

Where are the Nonfiction Picks?
I usually include a few PD books in my reading picks, but this year I'm so focused on relaxing and recharging, that it's all about the fiction.

For more reading ideas and suggestions, click HERE (2017 Summer Reading List) and HERE (2016 Summer Reading List). You'll find lots of fiction and nonfiction picks in these posts.

Do you have a book to recommend? Leave the title in the comments! :)

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8 Ways Teachers Can Relax and Recharge This Summer

8 Ways Teachers Can Relax and Recharge This Summer

No comments Recharge, Relax, teacher self-care, Teachers Love Summer

I know I don't have to tell you this, but teachers work hard. Really hard. Summer is our time to relax and recharge.

Sure, we spend our summer planning and preparing for the upcoming school year, but we also have the time to rest and refuel. Something we don't have much time for during the school year. Resting is vital to a teacher's success in the new school year. My hope in writing this post is to remind you to take time every day to do something that helps restore your mind, body and/or soul. OK, that sounded dramatic, but seriously, please be sure to find time for YOU this summer.

What follows are a few (really simple and basic) suggestions for relaxing this summer. Heads up, I apparently enjoy taking pictures of my coffee and books. You'll see this theme on repeat. Haha!

1. Enjoy Your Favorite Beverage
Pretty simple, right? But, I'm a firm believer that it's the little things in life that the most enjoyable.

My favorite beverage is coffee. During the school year, I don't get to enjoy my coffee because I'm busy scarfing it down while I do a million other things. During summer, I can sit and relax with that delicious cup of liquid perfection and savor every sip. You can do the same, no matter what your drink of choice may be.

For an added bit of relaxation, sip your special drink outside while you enjoy the weather, or scenery. :)

UPDATE: Since originally writing this post, I've had to make significant changes to my diet (for health reasons). I no longer drink coffee, but I still take time to enjoy my favorite beverage. Instead of sipping my coffee, I sip on sparkling water. I sure do miss my coffee, so if you're able to savor a cup for me in the morning, I sure would appreciate it. ;)

2. Find a Relaxing Morning Ritual
Again, if you're like me, you probably find that during the school year you're hustling from the minute you wake up until the minute you go to sleep. Find a relaxing ritual to start your day. This will look different for different people.

For me, that involves leisurely drinking my coffee while reading a book (see next suggestion). Once I'm finished with the coffee (two cups every morning), I workout (more on that in a moment).

3. Read a Book
Reading is a relaxing activity. It's a way to escape to another place without actually having to go anywhere. It's also a way to experience a life unlike your own. Basically, reading is pretty awesome.

During the school year I manage to read professional development books from time to time, but I find that I have a hard time getting through any novels. So, I tend to save those books for the summer when I can really sit down for longer periods of time and fully enjoy the story.

If you're looking for some book recommendations, click HERE and HERE.

4. Workout
I know, the idea of working out and getting hot and sweaty, and maybe even a bit sore doesn't sound relaxing, but it is good for you! A good workout will help you feel centered, energized, and more focused. And that is the whole point of summer, to get centered, energized, and refocused.

Not a gym rat? No worries, neither am I. I love working out from home with Beachbody. There are a ton of workouts to choose from, I don't have to drive anywhere (or worry about child care), and I can workout whenever it's convenient for me. Oh, and their pricing isn't too bad either!

5. Head Outside
Fresh air is good for you. Don't spend your summer cooped up inside the house all day long. Go for a walk, or a hike. Work in the garden. Or, go for a swim. Just go outside. The oxygen, sunlight, and presence of plants is a great way to ground yourself and feel connected to your surroundings. In other words, it's an easy way to feel more centered.

Note: if you're like me and live where the weather is extreme, you can still go outside, just do it before the heat kicks in (early morning), of after it starts to cool down (late evening). Or, aim to spend those minutes outside at the pool (my favorite).

6. Meet Your Friends For...
It can be hard to spend time with your favorite friends during the school year. Take advantage of your days off and get together with your pals. Meet up for coffee, lunch, drinks, or a mani/pedi. Connecting with other human beings fulfills a basic human need, so don't let your summer go by without spending some time with your friends.

7. Play Tourist
If you can't take a full vacation, find some fun things to do around town. It's a great way to get out of the house. You may just try something new. You'll likely see your city through a different lens. Maybe you'll learn to appreciate your home even more. Maybe you'll feel more connected to your community. I feel refreshed just thinking about it!

I took this pic while playing tourist. It is a close up from the Seven Magic Mountains public art installation outside Vegas. I'm not sure how long it will stick around as it was originally commissioned as a two year installation (opened in 2016). Regardless, the rainbow rocks were amazing to look at against the stark and bland desert, and it was fun checking out something so grand and fun in our city.

8. Don't Do Any Work
I know, I know, summer is a great time to tackle classroom projects, refine your teaching practices, and plan for implementing new ideas and strategies. It's a great time because you actually have the time to thoroughly think these things through.  But, it is also possible to pick a day (or 4) where you don't do any work. Let your mind be 100% free of anything school related. After all, how can one fully recharge and refuel if they are constantly working? So, make sure you assign yourself at least one day each week where you don't do any school related work.

I hope you can use these suggestions to help make your summer as relaxing as possible. :)

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Self-Care for Teachers {Easy Ideas You Can Start Using Now}

Self-Care for Teachers {Easy Ideas You Can Start Using Now}

No comments Stress Management, teacher motivation, teacher self-care

Teaching is hard. It is mentally, emotionally, and sometimes even physically challenging. Which is why I'm a huge proponent of self-care. This post is for all my fellow teachers who are overworked and worn out. This post is your reminder that it's OK to take time out of your day/week to take care of yourself. Your productivity and well being depend on it.

What is self-care?  It's the deliberate act of taking care of your mental, emotional, and physical health. In other words, it's all about doing things (on purpose) for yourself that make you feel as awesome as you really are.   

Real talk. You cannot be effective in your job if you aren't taking care of yourself.  It's also harder to enjoy your job when you're worn out, stressed, anxious, tired, and/or all of the above.  And, let's be honest, when you're feeling this way because of work, it also affects your personal/family life. 

More real talk.  This year has been my most challenging year to date.  The stress levels during the first few months of school were scary high.  So, I started upping my self-care game. I mean, I've always worked out and found time to relax, but this year, I have had to do more for myself.

But guess what?  It's been worth it.  Making the time to take care of myself regularly has helped improve my stress/anxiety, and my overall mood.  Which means I am better at what I do, and I can more effectively overcome the challenges that I'm faced with each day (which are improving one bit at a time because I have the stamina and mindset to better address them).

Self-care comes in many forms, and usually looks different from person to person. In other words, I don't think there is one single way to focus on yourself.  We're all different, after all.  ;)

If you're looking for some easy ideas, look no further. Many of these ideas are so simple that you can start using them now. I separated the ideas into two price range categories.  I mean, on a daily basis, I like to keep it simple (and cheap). But, every once and while, a splurge is in order.  Finally, be sure to do something for yourself each day.  In the long run, you won't regret it.

Cost Effective Ideas ($)

Take a bubble bath 
Fancy bubble bath is not required.  I'm not above using my daughter's bubble bath solution, but Bath and Body Works products are my favorite. More specifically, their aromatherapy line is to die for. I like to stock up when they have their Buy 3, Get 3 deal going on.

Read a book or magazine
Do this while you're in the tub.  They go together like milk and cookies!  

Watch your favorite show or movie...by yourself 
This can also be done while in the tub...what can I say, I'm always multi-tasking, even when taking care of myself.

Give yourself a DIY mani/pedi
A set of freshly painted toes always makes me feel happy and pulled together. Plus, the process takes my mind off other things, and I can easily complete this task while listening to my favorite music.

Enjoy a glass of wine while relaxing on the couch
Don't multi-task and drink your wine as you hustle to put dinner on the table. That isn't very relaxing.  Enjoy your drink without trying to do your chores at the same time.

Light a candle and unwind
If you don't drink, you can still sit on that couch and unwind.  Add a scented candle to the mix and you'll be feeling better in no time.


Exercise 
I work out 6 days a week.  In the morning.  Before school starts.  It gives me the energy I need to make it through a day of teaching, and helps manage my stress levels. Earlier this year, I signed up for Beachbody on Demand.  It's a lot cheaper than a gym (less than $10 a month!), gives me lots of options, and I don't have to go anywhere.

Give yourself a facial
You can find so many cost friendly facial mask options at stores like Target or Walgreens.  They offer options from sheet masks to clay masks.  Pick your favorite and start cleansing and purifying that pretty little face of yours.

Spend some time with friends
Grab your bestie and head to your local coffee shop or mall. Hang out and talk. Laugh until your bellies hurt. Sometimes we just need some friend time to take our minds off other things and to remind us that we are more than just a teacher (or mom, or dad...).

Indulge in something you love
For the most part, I try to eat as healthy as I can, but sometimes, it just feels good to indulge in a bowl of decadent ice cream. I also like to visit the local Ben and Jerry's for the fresh stuff. You don't always have to indulge in food, of course. Choose your "guilty pleasure" and enjoy!

Go to bed
You need sleep.  It's a basic human necessity. As an adult, you need at least 7 to 8 hours a night. Are you getting that much sleep each night?  Make it a priority to give your body the rest it needs each night.

Time to Splurge! ($$)

Get a mani/pedi at a salon
Sometimes I want to have my nails done at the nail salon.  It's more relaxing than when I do my own nails. Paraffin wax treatments and foot massages are the best!

Get a massage
Whether it's a once in a while splurge, or a monthly occurrence, you won't be sorry.  At my husband's urging, I get at least one massage a month. My neck and shoulders are a real problem area. All my stress goes there. Regular visits have really helped me both physically and mentally. Check your area for businesses that might offer a membership program, like Massage Envy.  Some massage schools offer discounted massages as well.

Get a facial
I have yet to do this, but I do look forward to indulging in this splurge one day.

Get away
Whether you take a staycation or visit the next town over, a short getaway every once in a while is a great way to relax and have some fun.

Fellow teachers, if you aren't already doing so, please start making yourself a priority.  It's easy to neglect our own needs, or to misinterpret them as wants. But, if you purposefully make time for yourself each day, you won't be sorry. Pinky swear.

If you're just getting started with regular self-care, aim to set aside 15-20 minutes a day for yourself and choose your favorite ideas from the list above.  If you're a pro when it comes to self-care, I'd love for you to comment below and share your favorite way of taking care of yourself.  :)

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Work Smarter, Not Harder {10 Tips for Teachers}

Work Smarter, Not Harder {10 Tips for Teachers}

10 comments Just for Teachers, Popular Posts, teacher motivation, Teacher Productivity, teacher self-care, teaching, Tips and Tricks

Sometimes people ask me how I get it all done. When they ask this, they are referring to the work that has to be done outside of the actual act of teaching.  The planning, the grading, the prep, and so forth.  The truth is, I make it look easy because I've learned to work smarter, not harder.  

Once upon I time, I had a different career.  I had many different tasks to accomplish each day.  I had daily deadlines to adhere to and people counted on me to be knowledgeable, punctual, thorough, and prepared.  The demands of this job required that I work smarter, not harder. Many of the work habits I adopted back then followed me into my teaching career, and along the way, I've added some strategies to my repertoire that are specific to teaching.  

While I'm no expert in efficiency and work productivity, I hope that the tips that follow help you to make better use of your time as a teacher.

Make a list.  Every day. Identify what needs to be done and write it down. Then, prioritize it. 

It doesn't matter what you use to write your list on. Like sticky notes? Great! Prefer a pretty note pad? Super! Don't give two hoots and prefer to use scratch paper or whatever is lying around? Fabulous. Just write it all down!

I like to write my tasks down at the end of each day.  This way, I know exactly what I need to do when I get to school in the morning.  I try to write my tasks in the order they need to be accomplished, but I have also been known to write them down and then number them to the side.  This is just my way of making sure I tackle the most important tasks first.  And, I'm flexible about my tasks. Anything I don't get to one day (because it was low priority) gets bumped to the next day and prioritized with the next day's tasks.

Get it done. Once you've identified the tasks you need to accomplish, and you've prioritized them, do them. Get to work. Quit dilly dallying.  Put your phone down, stop chit chatting with your neighbor and get to work.  Confession: this can be hard, but you'll have time to stalk your phone and chit chat if you get your work done first.  

Think of it this way, if you don't get your work done you run the risk of being unprepared, stressed out, and ineffective as a teacher. And our job is too important to chance that! Force yourself to focus and get things done as quickly as possible. If this is super hard for you and you need some external motivation then reward yourself each day/week that you get stuff done. Before you know it, it will become a natural work habit.

Establish a daily work routine. Yes, there will be interruptions and disruptions, but you can still create a framework for what your work time will look like each day. Decide which tasks you will attend to each morning before school starts and each afternoon when the students are gone.

Write down your thought bombs.  You're a teacher, you probably have 25 random thought bombs a day....when you aren't at school. 

Sometimes I get random ideas or remember small things that need to be done when I'm not at school. To help me remember these things, I carry a small notepad in my purse. And I keep one on my nightstand as well. Sometimes, I email myself from my phone!  This way, I can easily record those little reminders and ideas as they come to me and I won't have to waste time trying to remember my thoughts and ideas when I'm back at school the following day.

Establish an email schedule. What I mean by that is, pick a time of day that you will read your emails. 

I tend to read mine first thing in the morning. We don't have a "desk job" so checking email periodically throughout the day is not always practical (or smart). Maybe you opt to check it first thing and immediately after school. Great! The point is, create a routine that works for you and your situation. 

I also have a policy of responding to emails within 24 hours. Keep in mind that you don't need to respond to every email you get. So many of the emails we get as teachers are FYI type emails. Don't bother with responding to those.

Finally, I also have a policy of never checking my email from home.  You never know what's lurking in that inbox, so I err on the side of caution and refuse to even log into my email from home.  Work emails get read when I'm at work.  End of story.

Collaborate. Whether it's with a like minded individual or your grade level, collaboration can make your job so much easier. 

Keep in mind that collaboration isn't dolling out or splitting up responsibilities. It's discussing and evaluating the material you plan to/are expected to teach your students. 

The point of collaboration is to help you perfect your craft and effectiveness as a teacher. So, make sure you confer with people who will help you achieve this.

Set limits. Leave your work at school. Teaching is demanding. It demands your energy, focus, and your time. 

Time is the biggie. And let's be honest, there isn't that much time in the day. How do some teachers cope with this? They take their work home. Even I have fallen victim to this, but in the past several years, I have set limits on what/when I take work home. See, I'm not just a teacher. I'm also a mom, and a wife, and human being with interests outside of my job. When I'm at work, that is my priority and when I'm at home that is my priority. It has to be. 

Now, as I said, there are times when I bring work home, such as when I am *seriously* behind on grading (it happens, friends) or need to work on report cards. This is something I need to do free of distractions (and on a computer that works more efficiently than my ancient desktop at school). I can bust out more report cards at home, once my little one has gone to bed, than I ever could at work. Other than that, my work pretty much stays at school. 

It all boils down to prioritizing your workload at school and sticking to a routine. When you find what works for you, you won't feel the need to regularly bring work home and when you do bring it home on occasion, you won't feel as guilty.

Grade like a boss. Say what?  What I mean by that is, know what you're going to grade. Mark it in your lesson plans, or put a sticky note on those materials to remind you so that when you give that assignment you know you're planning to use it for a grade.  Then, set aside a day or two each week to enter grades. This way, you are able to enter them without spending huge chunks of time doing so (and parents knocking on your door pestering you as to why you haven't entered grades in the past month). 

Remember, you don't have to grade everything. If you've completed an assignment together in class, don't even collect it from students. Send it home! If you want to look over class work (and you probably should), you could spot check certain assignments, depending upon what it is. Or, you could go over it in class so your students are able to see how they did right there on the spot, saving you time in the long run.

Take a break. Or two. During the school day.  No, I'm not suggesting you run out into the hall and hide from your students, but just like your students, you need a brain break here and there too! 

Last year, our second graders endured an extremely long afternoon in the classroom. Most of that three hour chunk of time was core curriculum. It was a challenge for all of us, but thank goodness for brain breaks! On most days it was obvious that the kids needed a break, and some days, so did I.  Go Noodle to the rescue!  After our brain breaks, we were ready to refocus. The brain clutter was gone and the students were able to move onto the next set of learning tasks with a fresh mind. More importantly, I was able to tackle the next lesson with a fresh, decluttered state of mind.

NOTE: While Go Noodle is a super easy way to facilitate brain breaks, I know that some people have extremely hard core firewalls and can't access this site. No worries.  Play a game of Simon Says, or lead your students in some stretching exercises.  You could even line up your class and walk a few laps around the school.  If anyone asks, tell them you're practicing your hallway procedures.  ;)

The point is, it's OK to take a break, it's natural! Doctors, police officers, and everyone in between take them. And, it's a well known fact that breaks refuel and recharge the the body and mind, and teachers shouldn't think that breaks are off limits.  You're the professional, use your judgement to facilitate breaks as needed in your classroom because you will all benefit in the long run.

Make time for you. Find time in your day to focus on YOU! Focus on something other than teaching. 

Yes, we love what we do, and yes, we are passionate about it, but it isn't healthy to focus on teaching all.of.the.time. Read a book, find a hobby, get your nails done, binge watch Netflix. Whatever! Just make sure you carve some time out for you to focus on other things. Otherwise, you fail to take care of yourself and run the risk of burnout and/or unnecessary stress.  Plus, you're worth it. ;)

Read more about Teacher Self-Care HERE.

Do you have any favorite "work smarter, not harder" tips to share?  Comment below!

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