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Charge Up Your Life With a New Morning Routine

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This post is part of our series on personal development for teachers. Content knowledge, curriculum standards and teaching strategies are just part of the equation for what makes a successful teacher.  Personal habits, attitudes and behaviors are also a big part of the picture. In this series, we explore ideas that will help you as a teacher and as a person.

Do you dread getting up in the morning? Do you hit the snooze button, roll out of bed slowly and groan at the thought of facing the day?

Imagine waking up without an alarm clock, feeling energized and enthused about your day.

Does that sound like an impossible, overly optimistic scenario?  It doesn’t have to be.

You probably already have a morning routine that involves getting yourself ready for the day. You may shower, get dressed and pack your lunch. If you are really organized, you may even exercise. If you have children, much of your morning routine will involve getting them fed and dressed in something that at least resembles appropriate attire.

We used to think getting ourselves and the kids dressed and out the door with backpacks and lunch was a successful morning. Now we know that we were not setting a high enough standard. While we accomplished the most basic elements of getting ready, we left out mindset shifts that would set us up to have better experiences throughout the day.

We studied with master high performance coach Brendon Burchard, who has worked with Olympians, celebrities and top business executives. He expanded our idea of a morning routine. We’ve both adopted a new morning routine and now believe that it has been life changing for us.

This routine requires getting up a half an hour earlier, but hear us out- the results will impact your entire day for the better. We think it is worth it.

The high-performance morning routine:

You are most likely dehydrated after sleeping, so drink some water.

Do a few minutes of stretching. This is not your workout, just an opening up of the body.

Grab a cup of coffee or tea, an inspirational book, and your journal or planner. Find a comfortable place to sit.

Read (or listen to) something inspirational. This might be a podcast, an informational book or something focused on personal development. You may choose take notes. This step helps you to see the possibilities in your life and to be inspired to take positive action.

Then, take a few minutes to think about and mentally plan for your day. This is not planning your schedule or to-do list, but planning how you want to show up for the day. You need something in the morning to anchor you to your best self so that you don’t proceed with randomness. This step alters your mindset and shifts it so that you act with more intention.

Here are some possible things to think about and write down in your journal or planner

What does it look like when I am my best self?

How do I want to show up in the world today?

Who needs me on my “A” game?

What is one thing I can get excited about today?

How can I express gratitude to someone today?

What situation might mess me up today?

How would my best self deal with that situation?

What would it take for this day to be a success?

What can I do to make my successful day a reality?

You’ve set your day with intention, now you can continue on with the rest of your morning and head into the day with a positive plan.

We’ve found that we enjoy our morning routine and look forward to doing it each day. Knowing that we have a few calm, quiet moments to focus on what really matters allows us to get more done and feel more connected to the goals we have in our lives and in our work.

We live extraordinarily busy lives. Rather than being one more thing we have to do- we’ve found our morning routine helps us to determine what is most important.  No matter how hard we scramble, we will never be able to do everything, but we can do the most important things.

Do you have a successful morning routine?  How do you set intentions for your life and connect them to your daily practice?  As always, we would love to hear your ideas.

Our best,

Paula and Michele

Have you joined our free Facebook group Teacher Warriors?  If not, what are you waiting for?

Raise Your Standards for Personal Interactions

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Do You Need to Raise Your Standards?

As you have become a teacher, chances are, you have raised your standards in some areas of your life.

Many of us are rethinking our relationships with food, choosing foods that are higher quality, organic, local, and more nutritious. We may have raised out standards in terms of exercise, recognizing that exercise helps us reduce frustration and become more mindful. Since you are a working professional, you have likely raised your standards in terms of your personal wardrobe.

We may also need to raise our standards in terms of how we interact with others.

It isn’t always easy to change your standards. Our standards are deeply ingrained; we often developed our standards as children when our parents and others taught us how to act. We also create our standards as a reflection of our personal values. Our standards are also closely related to our beliefs about what we think we deserve, and about our value as a person.

This is where it gets tricky. Examining how you interact with others takes it out of the individual realm as it involves another person. We are no longer just considering our wants and needs, but those of the other person.

You may need to raise your standards in your interactions with others if you have ever found yourself doing one or more of the following:

Failing to correct a student because you don’t want to hurt their feelings.

Not speaking up at a faculty meeting when you disagree because you don’t want to upset your colleagues or make them think you are a troublemaker.

Letting a student, parent or other teacher yell at you.

Letting a student undermine you by allowing them to change the direction of an activity.

Allowing someone to take credit for your work.

Doing the work of someone else rather than call them on it or letting it go undone.

If you have experienced any of these things,  is a sign of an interaction which needs to be improved.

Here are a few ways to raise your standards in how you interact with others:

Understand that teaching often involves correcting someone or helping them to change behaviors and that this is a positive thing.

Teachers often hesitate to correct students because they don’t want to make them feel bad. Rather than framing it as criticism, frame it as help. Help students to understand that it is your job to offer guidance.  Help students to understand that having a growth mindset means that they are going to make mistakes and that is part of the process. It does not mean that you will punish them.

If a student turns in a math assignment and misses 8/10 problems, you can return in to him with a big, red, fat “F” on top. That will likely be received as punishment. Alternatively, you can have a conversation about what went wrong and explain to him how to fix it.  Then ask him to do the assignment over. That will be received as help.

Do not allow other people to treat you with disrespect.   

You teach other people how to treat you by how you respond to them. If you allow someone to take credit for your work, or to undermine your decisions they will likely continue to do so. If they know that they can slack off and you will pick up their end of the project, they will leave you doing more than your fair share of the work.

If the “Me Too” campaign has taught us anything, it is that we don’t have to accept poor behavior in order to succeed. This doesn’t just apply to sexual impropriety, but to bad behavior in general.  You do not have to allow anyone to scream at you. You can respectfully suggest that you will set up another time to talk when emotions are not running so high.

If a student calls you a disrespectful name, do not answer. Do not engage in name calling. You do not need to let it pass, but know that in the heat of the moment is not the right time to address severe behaviors. Try to remain calm and tell the person  that the behavior is not acceptable and that you will continue the conversation when you can both respond calmly.

Learn to have courageous conversations.

If someone throws you under the bus, call them on it. Know your value and stand up for yourself when needed. If people in your life leave you feeling resentful, angry and hurt, speak up. You can do this without accusations by addressing how you feel. If you value the relationship, say so, and acknowledge what kind of behaviors you want or need. Though it can be difficult to do so, try to stay calm and speak with a low voice.

It isn’t fun to have courageous conversations, but when we do so, often times we clear the air. It is a chance to let go of anger and resentment. It is also a chance to better understand the other person and let them understand you.

Be aware of what you bring to your interactions.

The other side of the story is in what your attitudes and actions say about you. You’ve heard of the Golden Rule, and it is not bad advice to treat people how you would like to be treated. Raising your standards means being aware of you what you bring to interactions. Being respectful and kind goes a long way. People notice when you show up with integrity. You can take the high road and become a positive role model.

Though it is a process rather than an event, it is possible to raise your standards around relationships and interactions. You won’t always get it right, and old habits sometimes die hard. Try to keep moving in the right direction. Small steps in the right direction will often add up to big improvements.

When we raise our standards, we understand who we are and how we need to show up in the world in order to give and receive value. That is a worthy goal, one that will serve you well as a teacher and in other parts of your life.

Have you tried to raise your standards?  We would love to hear your examples. Why not head over to our free Teacher Warriors Facebook group and share your stories?

Our best,

Paula and Michele

 

How to Stay Motivated When You’re Struggling

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If you find yourself struggling to stay motivated this time of year, you are not alone. Some days there just isn’t enough coffee to keep you going.

Perhaps it is the colder, darker days when sunlight and warmth, which boost happiness, are in short supply. Maybe you’ve had too many days of indoor recess and students are extra restless. Maybe you are suffering from a post-holiday letdown. When you have looked at the calendar and your next break is months away, it can seem like forever until your next break.

Whatever the reason, we’ve all faced a lack of motivation from time -to-time. Short term dissatisfaction doesn’t have to lead to long term misery.

Here are some suggestions to boost your motivation and help you get back to your purposeful, energetic teacher self:

 Remember your purpose.

Think about the reasons you went into teaching. Teaching is a calling, and something about it spoke to you. Getting reacquainted with your purpose can help you to stay motivated. How are you helping students be better people?  Who needs you on your A game?  What have you achieved that you are proud of?

As a teacher, you have great impact. Sometimes impact is seen in the moment, but often you will not know for years the impact you have had. Every veteran teacher can tell you about former students coming back to them years later sharing how they were positively influenced by being in the teacher’s class. It is also highly probably that you will deeply impact someone and never know about it. Know that your impact is measured in the long term, not just in the short term.

Find and spend time with positive people.

You know who they are- the people who are always positive and help you to feel positive too. You also know who the energy vampires are- the people who suck all the life and fun out of you. Don’t let people drag you down into the muck with them. If the teacher’s lounge is full of negativity, stay out of it. Avoid the teacher who is always miserable. Misery loves company and they will seek to suck you in.

Seek out positive support, whether from another teacher, a friend or a partner. You can also find lots of positive support on-line is teacher groups such as Thriving Young Teachers or Teacher Warriors.

Switch it up!

Sometimes our lack of motivation is caused by boredom. Boredom can sap our energy and enthusiasm.  Try a new teaching activity. Rearrange your seating. Add in an element of fun such as a learning game or simulation. Bring in some novelty by dressing up like a book character or famous person in your content area. Even a fun new whiteboard timer can inject some energy into your classroom.

Repeat your favorite teaching activity.

Think about your favorite lessons or activities. Then try to repeat that activity, perhaps with a different context. Alternately, repeat the students’ favorite activity. For example, if they loved making clay models of the digestive system, they will probably enjoy making clay models of cells. Think about how you can adapt your most successful lessons to use in a new way.

Don’t let angry parents shut you down.

We have all had an unpleasant interaction with an angry parent. At some point, you will be criticized.  Parents may attack verbally or in writing, or even worse- go straight to your principal. They may misunderstand or misinterpret your actions or words. They may be working with knowledge of only half of the story or one point of view.

Take in the information. Look for any useful feedback and let it help you grow. We all make mistakes, and it although hurts to be called out for them, if we are working with a growth mindset, we can use it to become better.

Sometimes a parent will rattle your confidence and cause you to doubt yourself. Get some feedback from your principal, instructional coach, or another teacher than you respect.

Respond calmly and acknowledge their concern. Acknowledge that you are both working on the best interests of the student. Explain what you did and why. Offer a solution. If you need time to think things through, set up a future meeting.

Once you have addressed the issue, you have to learn to let it go without completely derailing your love of your job.

Do a series of quick, easy tasks.

Sometimes we get overwhelmed by all the things we have to do and reach the point of immobilization.  A quick antidote is to batch several things that can be done in five minutes or less. Then tackle them.  Make a phone call, file a paper, and organize a stack of papers on your desk. Accomplishing a group of small things will help you to cross some things off your list and build momentum.

Watch a great teacher movie or read an inspiring teacher book. 

Sometimes we just need to get inspired.  A couple of hours spent with a great teacher movie can do the trick. The same is true of a good teacher book.  If you are in need of some inspiration, check out these posts:

13 Inspiring Teacher Movies for your Binge Watching Pleasure

25 Great Books About Teachers that Every Teacher Should Read

Teach Like a Superhero

Focus on the positives in your day.

It is easy to focus on things that go wrong. Our brains are hard-wired to focus on the negative far more than the positives- it kept our ancestors alive when they learned to run from the tiger that was chasing them.  You will pay attention to the sound of an ambulance or the fire drill warning, but quickly brush off the friendly greeting or positive comment.

Refocus your attention towards the positive. What is going well?  What have you accomplished?

Every day for a week, write down two or three positives things that happened in your planner or lesson plan book.  It will remind you that you are doing great things and getting positive results.

Another idea that we have talked about frequently is to keep a “Notes for Days I Really Need Them Folder.  You can learn more about that here.

We hope you can use some of these ideas on those days or weeks when you are struggling to stay motivated.  We’d also LOVE to know your tips and tricks for staying motivated! We always love it when you send us an email or comment on the blog or in our Facebook group or page.

Our best,

Paula and Michele

 

 

 

Have You Checked These Things Off of Your Summer Bucket List?

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your summer bucket listWith the midway point of summer break past, how are you doing on your summer bucket list?

We all have that list.  The “This summer I will…” list.  The “I’ll do it over the summer” list.  The “I can’t wait until I get to…” list.

Here is a list of common summer bucket list items.  How many have you accomplished?

Spend a day at a beach or pool.  Swimming is optional but soaking up the sun and relaxing is the main event.

Read a good book, one that is just for fun.  Maybe it is a mystery, thriller or romance, whatever floats your boat.

Spend time in a boat.  Speaking of boats, as Water Rat said to Mole in The Wind in the Willows, “there is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

Splurge on an ice cream treat.  The kind you go out for with a friend, not the kind you grab from the freezer.

Spend time in nature.  You might go for a hike, spend the day at a zoo or nature center or take a picnic to a park.  If you are up for it, camping is a good way to get away from it all and be outside.

Go to a movie.  What is your pleasure?  Summer is your chance to see a first run movie, long before it gets to Netflix.  Maybe we’ll see you at The Lion King.  We’re also looking forward to The Art of Racing in the Rain, and Where’d You Go Bernadette. You get summer bonus points if you go to a drive-in movie.

Eat fresh picked corn on the cob.  Really, is there anything better?

Make s’mores. As long as we are talking about food, s’mores around a campfire just screams “summer” so indulge at least once! Try it with dark chocolate with salted caramel or blueberries for a grown- up twist.

Go for a bike ride. It’s fun to tool around on a bike and you’re going to need it after all the ice cream, s’mores, and corn on the cob!

Go to a yard sale.  We admit to being fans. The fun is that you never know what you are going to find.  You might even find some things for your classroom. We wrote a guide to yard sales here and here.

Do a house or yard project.  Have you wanted to start an herb garden in those cute pots you bought last spring? Do you have a yard sale bookcase that is waiting for a coat of paint?  Now is the time.

Go on a road trip.  Drive to see a family member. Go in search of a waterfall. Head to a tourist attraction. Turn up the radio, sing along and just go!

Attend a baseball game. It’s called America’s favorite pastime for a reason. Eat a hot dog and root for the hometown team!

Have friends over for a barbecue. This is the kind of easy, cheap entertaining we love to do in the summer. No one expects anything fancy, so toss some burgers on the grill and carve up a watermelon.

Go to a parade. Who doesn’t love a good parade?  Put on your hat and sunglasses and watch the floats and bands go by.

Attend an outdoor concert or festival. Opportunities for outdoor music in the summer seem to be everywhere. It’s an inexpensive way to enjoy music in a fun atmosphere.

Check out the new kids’ books at the library. Spend a rainy afternoon at the library reading the new childrens’ books. You’ll be ready to recommend some good ones to your students, and you might even find a new favorite book to read aloud.

Visit a local tourist attraction.  It is a sad but common truth that while we often visit all of the tourist attractions when we travel, we often haven’t seen the ones nearest to our homes! What is near you that you haven’t been too? Plan a trip.

Try a new recipe.  Admit it, during the school year you just want to get something on the table. Flip through a magazine, cook book or Pinterest and find a new recipe or two to try. Maybe it will become a new favorite.

Go to a farmers’ market.  In addition to summer’s finest bounty, you can often find music, fresh baked goods, flowers, artisanal cheeses and live music at a farmers’ market. There are often kid’s activities too!

 Enjoy playing a sport.  Summer baseball, softball and volleyball leagues are in full swing. Play golf or tennis. Or try your hand at some old-fashioned games like badminton, croquet or even corn hole!

 

Those are our summer bucket list activities.  What have we missed?  Are there any summer must-dos on your list?  Let us know in the comments.

We hope you are enjoying your summer, spending time with friends and getting to do all of the things you don’t get to do during the school year.

Our best,

Paula and Michele

 

 

P.S. Are you ready for fall?

What would it feel like to…

  • Have everything ready and organized before the first day of school?
  • Create a beautiful and functional classroom space?
  • Finally have a system in place to organize and keep data and records?
  • Have your classroom procedures, expectations and rules clearly defined so students will be motivated, engaged and ready to work from day one?
  • Build good relationships with key people in your school as well as students and parents before school even starts?

 

It’s all possible with our new  Start Your School Year Strong on-line workshop!

We’ll guide you through all the things you need to do

to get ready for the school year and hit the ground running!

We know that the beginning of the new school year is both an exciting time and a stressful one.  There are so many things you need to do!  You have to set up and organize your physical space, get your procedures and rules figured out, communicate with colleagues and parents, start lesson planning and get your data collection and grade systems set up. You need to understand your students’ IEP’s and arrange for accommodations.  You need to learn the school’s learning management systems and grade portals.  The list of things you need to do goes on and on.

You only get one chance to make a first impression.  The environment and tone you set for students on the first day will have a lasting impact on how well your school year goes.

Setting up procedures and putting good systems in place before the school year even begins will help you to be less stressed, more organized and more effective overall.

No teacher wants to get off on the wrong foot and then spend several months trying to regroup and start over with different plans and procedures. You don’t have to be that teacher.

Learn more about our new on-line workshop Start Your School year Strong here.

This workshop is open for a limited time, why not get started today?

Start Your School Year Strong

 

Ten Traits of Successful Teachers

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What are the conditions and behaviors that make you successful in your career? We’ve identified ten traits of successful teachers.

We understand that teaching can be incredibly challenging. Teachers often work long hours under difficult circumstances. Some teachers are strong and effective, others less so. Some teachers leave the profession while others stay. What makes the difference?

Teachers who thrive have some things in common. Some of these things are personal traits and strengths, others are learned behaviors, but all can be developed.  Where do you stand in the following?

Ten traits of successful teachers:

Successful teachers know their why.  

Successful teachers have a sense of purpose and passion for students. They see the bigger picture in the day to day activities and believe that they can and are making a difference. The rewards are intrinsic, knowing that you played a role in the successful development of a student, school, or program helps to sustain you.

Successful teachers build relationships with students.

Successful teachers know that they can best serve their students when they know and understand them. They work to uncover students’ strengths and challenges. They take time to learn about students’ different cultures, backgrounds and experiences. Successful teachers know that students work harder for you when they know you care.

Successful teachers know and use different strategies.

Students are different, classes are different and the teaching environment is constantly changing. This requires flexibility in strategies and activities. Teachers who know and call upon different strategies have the tools to reach the students they have today in the classroom they have today.

Successful teachers remain flexible.

It’s good to have schedules and routines, but every teacher knows how often they must adjust these routines. Whether it is for severe weather, a district in-service day or a mandated testing schedule, classroom schedules are constantly changing and successful teachers learn to go with the flow in ways that result in the least upheaval.

Successful teachers understand motivation.

Classroom motivation is not about setting up elaborate reward and punishment procedures. It is not about holding students accountable as much as it is about creating student ownership. Motivation occurs when people have some autonomy, they understand their purpose, and have the ability, time and resources to master the material. Successful teachers create an environment where students are motivated to learn.

Successful teachers assess and analyze learning.

Teachers are often expected to use multiple forms of assessment. Collecting assessment data is not the same thing as analyzing it. Analyzing assessment data is more than putting a grade in a gradebook and sharing a test score with a parent. Analyzing assessment data means that you look at the learning behind the numbers. What does the score mean? Which skills and strategies are students able to use? Where are the gaps or weaknesses and how can we fix them?

Successful teachers have a growth mindset.

Teachers often teach growth mindset concepts to students, but successful teachers also have a growth mindset for themselves. They are willing to take risks and try new materials or new ways of teaching. They understand that they will sometimes fail, and that failure is a growth opportunity. They understand that learning is a path, but not necessarily a straight line.

Successful teachers are always learning.

Whether working on advanced degrees or certifications, learning new strategies, or doing personal reading, successful teachers are always learning. They model the life-long pursuit of learning for their students. They are not afraid to admit that they don’t know something, and then demonstrate that they can find out. They truly embody the role of chief learner in their classroom.

Successful teachers have a strong support network.

Whether at home or at school or both, successful teachers have a strong support network. They may get support from a partner, family, or friends. Many teachers form strong bonds with teaching partners and colleagues. Administrators and parents may also be part of a support network. Successful teachers know that they travel life easier and farther with support.

Successful teachers know their superpowers.

Every teacher brings a unique set of talents, skills and abilities into their classroom. They may have deep content knowledge. They may bring a powerful sense of humor. Some teachers have strengths in creative or artistic skills. Perhaps they have amazing problem-solving ability or excellent conflict management skills. When teachers understand who they are and the strengths they bring to their classroom and then use those gifts, they open the door for magic to happen.

Which traits of successful teachers do you most relate to?  What have we missed?  We’d love to hear your insight.

Our best,

Paula and Michele

 

 

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