The Starting Point

We survived January and the Snowmaggedon of 2025! If this is your first year or semester teaching, pat yourself on the back. January (and February and March) can be super weird with snow and ice uncertainty. This leads to seeming chaos in our classrooms because it's hard to recover and get back to "normal" with our students.

What do you do in these moments? Go back to the basics! When there has been a long period of time between seeing your students and having consistency, it's time to remind students of your classroom expectations. Because you already set them up and established processes in the beginning of the year, it will be a quick review for your class(es).

This month is our district-wide BT Collaborative on Lesson Planning. We have built an opportunity that will give you dedicated planning time with opportunities to collaborate and have coaches, mentors, and other instructional leaders there to help you. Simply bring your device and any materials you for planning for the following week or weeks.

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 months 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.

Are you interested in pursuing your teaching license? Many universities offer programs specifically for those with a 4-year degree who are seeking teacher licensure. We would love to discuss options during an in-person meeting at the Wallace Education Forum. Three meeting options are available: Thursday, February 13, at 9:00 a.m., Friday, February 14 at 10:00 a.m., & Friday, February 17 at 4:00.

Please note your interest by completing this form. You will receive meeting details upon completion of the form.

Contact: Ashley Lemley

View the Southwest District BT Newsletter here: BT Corner