If you allow it to, teaching can take over your life. Not only that, a picture has been captured and posted over and over of the beautiful- Pinterest perfect side of education. Not highlighting or sharing reels of the reality that we all face as educators.
It can be a lot. But I don’t want that for you. So, here are five ways to maintain a healthy teacher-home-social life balance.
And If you have some ideas to add, please do share in the comments.
Unplug
Yes! Do it. Remove your school email from your personal cellular communication device. The idea here is to practice the whole out of sight out of mind technique. You are less likely to check that one email that always takes you down the rabbit hole of let me check on this while I’m on here… two hours later you have adjusted your lesson plan, did an internet dive for resources, graded a few online submissions and the list goes on.
Create a Weekly Agenda
There are things that we as teachers have to do weekly. We get them done by a certain day of the week, move on to other tasks, but come Monday– the cycle begins again. So, we know that on a weekly basis we will have lesson plans to complete, grading to do, parent emails to send out about events, or just regular old reminders. Create an agenda for each day of the week. Assign two to three tasks for each day and watch how much more efficient you become at getting things done.
Oh and how much less stressed/ stretched thin you are!
Limit Socializing
As teachers, we enjoy gathering and just chatting about everything and nothing. Socializing has its place and it is most certainly necessary to establish friendships to support one another. But, what can start as a quick chat, a team check-in or is intended as a quick question about something school-related, can quickly turn into socializing. Limit and monitor this to ensure that you are getting the most done during your contracted hours.
Advocate For Yourself
In the field of education it is a normal thing for you to be voluntold to head a committee or two, be the mentor for a new teacher, attend various meetings as a representative for your campus, etc. These additional duties almost never come with extra pay. Instead you are offered professional development hours or experience.
If you have the time, need the hours, or want to add the experience to your resume, by all means, accept the tasks. If you do not, professionally decline. In writing.
Protect Your Peace
As teachers, we understand the importance of our jobs and our roles in the communities we live and work in. What society and those making decisions that affect educators have to understand is that we are human, do not possess superpowers, have families and lives of our own, and should not have the expectation of doing more, for less without the necessary resources.
We can only do what we can when we can with the resources provided by our districts. Anything else is not our job. And one thing I know for sure is that it is not our job to do more than the job we signed up for.
So breathe.
And Laugh.
Relax on the weekend.
Most importantly, remain upright and steady for yourself and your loved ones! That task can wait until Monday.
Off duty- Teacher,
T