What Teachers Can Do…
Teachers are people who must satisfy many stakeholders.
Whether you are a first year teacher or a 20-year veteran, most educators share some innate traits. You are often described as caring, loving, and patient. All true, but an educator’s character is much more than an instinct to protect and nurture the young.
Other descriptors include collaborative, creative, curious, innovative, insightful, diligent, flexible, responsive, and optimistic. Also true whether working with students, colleagues, parents, or other stakeholders.
A teacher’s job goes far beyond expertise and experience in a given subject area. You are the COOs for the children who have been placed in your care. Being a teacher can bring rewarding highs and fulfilling joy. It can also produce emotional overload.
Have you ever wondered if teaching is about kids or paperwork? Have you ever asked yourself, what about me? My feelings? How do I deal with the demands to get everything done yesterday? Is this self-pity? Maybe a little, but it is still all true!
So what can teachers do to keep burn out at bay and increase the joy?
This course is designed to help you manage and succeed during COVID-19 and beyond.
Course II: What teachers can do is cut themselves some slack.
Teachers need to establish balance in their lives. You have to acknowledge that while teaching may be a full time job, you cannot be 24/7 teachers. Why? Because you are friends, wives, husbands, mothers, and fathers. You have parents, siblings, personal interests, and commitments. You have lives and identities outside of the classroom. You need to protect who and what you are.
Teachers need time and space to be and enjoy all that they are. You need to remember your priorities which may sometimes be your students, and at other times, your own needs and wants, and always your own families and friends. This is not an indulgence. It is a necessity. To be fully present in the classroom, you need to be fully present in your own life.
Ten things teachers can do for themselves that will positively impact their students.
During this course, we will review ten things you can do to reclaim and embrace your whole self. Together we will discover how you can find time and space to engage with people and activities you love and which make you unique. We will discuss how to turn off the stress, relax, and recharge. Finally, you’ll see why taking care of yourself is best practice for you, those who love you, and your students.
I look forward to having a lively conversation on Zoom and, when safe, in person to listen to your stories, tell you mine, talk teacher to teacher, learn from you, answer your questions, and suggest some practical ideas to keep you at the top of your game. For available dates and fee, please contact me at merle@merleschell.com.
On a personal note, I have experienced the risks, rewards, and excitement of being a small business entrepreneur. I have been an advertising executive, an adjunct professor, and a K to 12 classroom teacher. All challenging, competitive, heady, empowering, and stressful careers.
I can honestly tell you that there is no profession more rigorous, complex, and draining, more gratifying, rewarding, and humbling than being an educator. To be entrusted with the well-being and education of our children, have a part in their growth, and contribute to their future is a daily adventure and the greatest honor. We do it together. To be the best for our students, we need to be kind to each other and kind to ourselves. We all deserve it. Full stop!