It's the last month of 2024. For some of you, you've reached the halfway point of your very first year of teaching. For others, you're one semester away from "graduating" out of the BT program. And still others of you are just starting or are mid-way through the entire BT experience.

This month, we'll consider the importance of being a reflective practitioner. Aligned with NC Professional Teaching Standard 5 (Teachers Reflect on their Practice), our goal for December will be to think back on the work you've done thus far in your career and see what can be tweaked, what needs to be used again just as it is, and what needs to simply go away. This semester, you have probably been inundated with professional development from various sources (and not just your BT Mentor!). How are you using the PD you've encountered to help you grow in your craft?

My first year of teaching was a "thrown into the fire" kind of experience. I was fresh out of college, and each semester I was tasked with teaching three completely different courses. In that one year alone, I taught five separate courses for the first time (I had the pleasure of teaching English 2 both semesters). I felt sort of like a football player just keeping my head down and pushing through the line without much time to look around and see what else was happening. I held on to my lesson plans each year, and several semesters later looked back at what I had created for some of those classes. Even in the swirling chaos of those first few years, I created some great work and activities for my students.

I share this to say: just because you are in your first few semesters or years of teaching does not mean that you don't have good ideas or great lessons for your students. Don't get rid of anything -- at least right now! Hold on, and after you have some more experience under your belt, you may find that you can return to your earlier work and either improve upon or simply use again with your more experienced lens!

Keep growing,

Lydia

Work-life balance seems like an oxymoron, and quite honestly it can feel completely impossible especially when you've just started in a new position or are learning a new content and curriculum. But there's no denying that we must find ways to disconnect and recharge our own personal batteries. See if some of these tips will help:

• Use every moment at work - When you're at work, take every moment of planning to plan, grade, prepare, etc., for the coming days. Use the time before school and after students leave to be sure you're prepared for that day and to set out materials for the next day.
• Batch similar tasks - Set aside blocks of time for grading, lesson planning, or responding to emails rather than switching between tasks. If you teach multiple content areas or class periods, consider choosing a day of the week that is for that particular class's assignments to be graded.
• Ask for help! - Don’t hesitate to reach out to colleagues, mentors, or administrators if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Everyone else was new at one time, too!
• Protect your personal time - Schedule time for self-care activities like exercise, hobbies, or spending time with family and friends. Treat this time as non-negotiable. When you put it on the calendar, you're more likely to stick to the plan!
• Set boundaries and stick to them - It's ok to get home and determine a time when you will no longer check emails or grade papers. The email will be there in the morning!

Finding balance takes practice, and how you create that balance will shift based on the school season, the classes or students you teach, and your own personal life events. Be kind to yourself and recognize that you can't do everything, and you certainly can't do everything perfectly!

You're at a natural time to consider how you can shift your personal expectations. We have just a few days left this semester, and then you can pause to refresh. The second semester is the perfect time to set some of these small goals for yourself.

Spring Academy Registration (click to open!)

View the Southwest District BT Newsletter here: BT Corner