Encouragement
Think back to your first year teaching. Your first year is new and overwhelming in so many ways, from the content, to the students, to the school itself. You make the most of it, you adapt, overcome, and maybe even teach a few things to your students along the way. You make it through that first year because you have the heart of a teacher and the fearlessness of a lion tamer who can stand in front of 25 preteens, baring judgement and giggles as you squeak out another science pun.
Motivation for August:
Come August, or whenever your school returns for the school year the best thing to do would be to enter with an open mind and appreciate that ignorance is bliss. Let go of what you cannot control. Stressing over which students you get, the angry parent of a sibling you’ve had or the toxic colleague a few doors down will drain you before you set foot in your room! Overwhelmed with a new curriculum or grade level? Take a deep breath and think about what you CAN do to feel in control. When I start to feel overwhelmed I draw a circle on a piece of paper and put the things I can control inside the circle and what I cannot control outside of it. It allows me to focus on the things I can affect, while pushing the things I cannot control to the periphery.
Embrace the New:
No doubt this next year will come with new challenges. What school year hasn’t had its own challenges? Take advantage of any and all opportunities that arise. Embrace professional development, watch that webinar and read that book, as long as it will provide a useful skill that you can employ immediately. Be selective in where you divert your attention. Look for time saving tips to increase efficiency and streamline the administrative work of your teaching. For example, using edpuzzle to self-grade assignments saves a ton of time assigning grades in Google Classroom. Have students comment on each other’s work in Seesaw, so they can share their ideas and hold each other accountable while taking some pressure off of you to grade them. Get those resources on TpT that you have been eyeing up. You will spend less time planning and stressing and more time teaching awesome, well-designed lessons!
Here are a few time-saver resources that will be sure to reduce your stress and engage your students:
Parts of A Fair Experiment Doodle Notes
Connect:
Make a video introducing yourself! If you have a website through your school you can create a “get to know your teacher” video and share that on your website. If you are sure your class rosters are set, in the week or two before school you can consider inviting students to your Google Classroom, where you might post that video. Students are inquisitive and resourceful, and if they do not already know you, they are going to use their research skills to find out what they can about you.
Share something unique:
Choose one thing, or a few things that your students can get to know about you quickly. Things you may want to share are “safe,” in that students can connect to them and use them as a springboard to feel comfortable sharing more about themselves. For example, if you have a love of all things Harry Potter, are secretly a saltwater fishing aficionado, or have a huge rubber duckie collection, students will cling to these tidbits of knowledge, and return to them as a way to connect with you. When students feel safe, they may share that they too love the sport of quidditch or they are an aspiring baker. This free icebreaker is a great way to share a bit about yourself!
Make the most of the summer:
Spend the summer relaxing and catching up on your own life. You cannot pour from an empty cup. One of the most meaningful things you can do this summer is relax and recharge. Being in a calm, even-keel headspace is crucial to prepare for what is to come. The calm before the proverbial storm (that may or may not develop).
Stay Connected
One of the most important ways to cope with stress is to reach out to your support network when you need it. Talk with your teacher bff, chat with the math teacher across the hall, or reach out via social media. Teacher groups on social media have been incredibly vocal sharing concerns, good ideas, and suggestions for the future. Ask questions that you have, cheer on others, and embrace the friendly, helpful teacher community. I guarantee you are not the only teacher feeling how you feel.
Embrace your professional journey. You certainly did not go into teaching because it would be easy! You are an educator….you got this!
Thanks for stopping by Captivate Science,
Kate
