Welcome back! It’s a new school year with all of the excitement and opportunity that a new year brings. Along with the smell of new pencils, we love the potential that is out in front of us, waiting for us to bring it to life. There will be new relationships with new students. There will be opportunity for new ways of learning and plenty of light bulb moments. There will also be growth- for the students and for you.
We haven’t forgotten that we are in the midst of a pandemic, and there will certainly be new challenges. There are always challenges, with or without a pandemic. Our experience is that our year will be what we make of it, and our reality will be created from how we react to whatever lies ahead of us.
Call us eternal optimists, but we want to embrace each new year and give it our best.
Here are a few suggestions for starting the new school year with strength and optimism:
Focus on building good relationships with students.
The more you know and understand students, the easier it will be to teach them. The more that they know you care, the more likely it is that they will thrive. When students thrive, they can learn. Spend as much time as you can in the early weeks of school, getting to know students and helping them to know each other.
Be open to change.
Flexibility is uncomfortable for many teachers who are naturally organized and well-planned. Teaching involves working with real, live, active participants whose needs are ever changing and always evolving. There will be situations out of your control. Sometimes the best strategy is to go with the flow and figure things out as you go. If you thrive on being well-planned, create some contingency plans for days when your regular plans aren’t possible.
Create a good sub folder.
We talk about this one every year because we believe in it. You will sleep better knowing that you have a few day’s worth of emergency plans ready to go. Read more about what to put in your sub folder here.
Take time for yourself every day.
We know that many of you are exploring ways to teach mindfulness to your students. It is also important for you! Stress is real and has many negative health effects. You give so much to so many every day. It is important that you take some time to recharge your own battery. Try to do at least one small thing every day that makes you calm and happy!
Remember that you are making a difference.
When things get difficult, be at peace in the knowledge that what you are doing makes a difference. Students count on you and are lifted up because of you. Your colleagues are better because you are part of their team. Think about the reasons that you went into this profession. Remind yourself that what you are doing matters. If you haven’t yet made yourself a folder for Positive Notes for Days I Really Need Them, do it! You can learn more about that little project here.
We hope you have a great school year. Know that together, we are cheering you on!
Our best,
Paula and Michele
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