Topic: Self-care

Teaching often seems like running a marathon—we train and prepare, we push ourselves, and we keep going no matter what the circumstances.

The 2019-2020 school year is in the books. It was unprecedented to be sure! It’s time to let go of 2019-2020 and take some time to relax and practice self-care, before starting to think about and plan for next school year.

During the summer, especially after many of us spent countless hours on video chats and creating virtual materials in the spring, it is important to take some time to detach and unplug. While ideally there would be several hours or even days when you can be unplugged from all devices, even spending an hour or two away can be a great way to recharge.

We teachers often put so much pressure on ourselves to do more. On top of managing our teaching jobs and personal lives, we are frequently given extra duties and responsibilities at school outside of teaching.

Teachers are leaders within their own classrooms, but we look to our respective leadership figures for inspiration, motivation, and support. Our leaders have the potential to ensure the school culture is a positive, upbeat one in which everyone is given the opportunity to thrive. I have spoken with many educators over the years, and one of the main qualities they look for in their leaders is approachability.