Welcome Back!

Welcome back!

I’m sure your week thus far has been filled with the sounds of laughter and school buses. It’s back to school time, welcome back!

Typically the first Friday of the first full week results in a dull Friday night coupled with sleep and Netflix. Many teachers are already tired and it’s just the first week. As you get back into your routine, establish norms and procedures, why not create some for yourself?

In a profession like this one, it’s important to avoid burn out. One of the best ways to do that is to establish boundaries between school and work. Start small, but consider one day each week that an hour earlier or later will suit your schedule. Use this extra time to complete tasks and plan. By adding this hour, time is created to complete tasks instead of taking them home.

In addition to leaving work at work, make time for the things you enjoy. I consider myself to be a “Master Crafter”, so I make time for those things. They help to alleviate stress and avoid boredom. There’s an abundance of videos on YouTube about any craft or hobby out there. I recently taught myself to knit and make candy apples from YouTube.

Lastly, make exercise a priority. Exercise is a stress reliever and natural immune booster. You can’t do your best, when you’re not feeling your best. Regular exercise also improves sleep.

As the year progresses, remember to be kind to your students and to yourself.