Teacher Well-being
Resilience - The capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Teaching requires more emotional resilience than most other professions. Lacking resilience is a common thread that creates burnout and leaving the profession. Resilience is not something we are taught in school, but there are things that we can do to strengthen our resilience.
Don’t isolate yourself in your classroom. Get to know other teachers in your building and your students’ parents. Building relationships with your co-workers and parents can strengthen your resilience. Take care of yourself. If you’re worn out and not feeling well, you are more likely to isolate and avoid others.
What is your resilience level?
What are your favorite summertime professional development reads?
I’m finally able to sit down and read The Anxious Generation and it is so good!
What other books would you recommend?
I wish I would have planned like this when I was a teacher! When I read this, I immediately thought how much this could have helped me a new teacher (or even a few years in!). Does anyone plan like this and have some feedback?
So, it has been a while since I have been on this platform as a coach. I did not want to seem like a hypocrite. I have been teaching a long time and this year seemed to be extremely difficult all around. I felt that if I were to give advice, it would be hollow and just mundane. However, while I was reflecting on my year and cleaning my room, I happened upon a box, a time capsule if you will. In it were my goals that I set as a first year teacher. There were also notes and cards from students and parents. One particular note was from a student who thanked me for listening. He wrote that he never felt heard until he was in my class. This letter renewed my spark into a flame.
As you reflect on your teaching, remember why you decided to teacher. My focus became about me and I reminded myself that the students are my focus. My goal should be to help at least one more.
Teaching is a tough job. But the rewards outweigh the struggle. I almost lost that hope. Stay strong teachers!
When creating sub plans, make sure that you include the little day to day things that might be overlooked. For example, I have a list of students that are pulled for services and the times that they are pulled to help the substitute with classroom management. I also have a list of jobs that the students have that ill minimize the confusion in the classroom when students try to push the limits. I also have notes about certain students that will help the substitute understand the student better. I have also created an "emergency" substitute folder that has activities and resources in case I am not able to set up for a substitute in advance (hence the emergency). Class prep is also important. Part of the routine that I set in place is letting the students know that if I am not in the classroom, the expectations remain the same. What are some other things that you have done to prepare for a substitute?
