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I remind my candidate that she needs to take time to stop and eat each day. Leave at a reasonable time. It is ok to feel overwhelmed and take time to sit in a quiet place after school or even leave it for the next day to take a break.

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I remind my candidate that she needs to take time to stop and eat each day. Leave at a reasonable time. It is ok to feel overwhelmed and take time to sit in a quiet place after school or even leave it for the next day to take a break.

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My candidate will be 7 months pregnant by the end of school year so I will encourage her to: Schedule time to do nothing
Identify and eliminate nonessential
tasks
Make a list of the 5 most important
tasks for the end of year

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I love helping my candidates build a positive culture with students through Circles. This article has been helpful 

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I love helping my candidates build a positive culture with students through Circles. This article has been helpful 

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Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.

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I tell my candidate to make sure that she takes time for herself. Try not to take work home all the time, to choose 2 days out of the week that you do not take work home and you leave school on time.

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The video featuring California's teacher of the year is refreshing and needs to be heard. I would share the video with my new candidate and encourage them to reflect on their time spend at work and at home. Ask them the questions and have them think about their day. They need to reflect and mindfully think about how they feel and how it affects their mental and physical self.

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How to achieve Work-Life balance as a teacher

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How to achieve Work-Life balance as a teacher

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I've noticed that my candidate is often one of the last teachers still on campus. I am too, but I have an after school club. We talked about setting a time to leave school and making a priority list to help prevent teacher burnout.

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Figuring out how to achieve work-life balance as a teacher is a huge challenge. Teachers enter the profession because they hope to change lives, but they often find that there are obstacles in their path, and the expectations teachers face can seem impossible to live up to. Finding the sweet spot between achievement and work-life balance can help teachers build a long, happy, and healthy career. Here are some tips on how to achieve work-life balance as a teacher.

Respect Your Time

Teachers tend to be hard workers. It's not unusual for teachers to stay at school until 7 p.m. helping students, to stay up until midnight correcting papers, and to spend weekends planning lessons, chaperoning field trips, or attending conferences. And make no mistake about it: I understand that teachers' duties are almost impossible to accomplish without putting in extra hours. However, recognizing that you cannot plan countless field trips, attend every school event, and serve on all committees can help you focus on what will have the most impact on your students' success.

Recognize That You're Having an Impact (Even When It Doesn't Feel Like It)

If you've been a teacher for as long as I have (23 years and counting!), you recognize that you don't always know the effect you've had on your students until many years later. Eddie, for example, was a bright but oppositional student in my senior English class. He was so defiant that I initially wanted him moved from my class.

He had a great sense of humor, though. He responded when I matched wits with him, and his grade climbed. He still drove me a bit crazy, but he graduated, and I didn't hear from him for almost 10 years. Then, one day, he stopped by my classroom. He told me that my class was transformative for him, and he was now studying to be an English teacher.
Further reading: What Makes a Teacher Memorable?
I was shocked, but perhaps I shouldn't have been; every teacher I know has a story like this. So remember, you might not see the immediate results of your hard work, but teachers do change students' lives each and every day just by being themselves and building connections. Keeping that in mind can help when you feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of teaching.

Shut Off the Electronics

With email and online education platforms like Schoology, students and parents can now connect with teachers at any time. While this can be very helpful in some cases, I found myself replying to student posts at 11 p.m. and answering emails in the wee hours of the morning. Sometimes, those posts and emails would get me excited or upset about something, and keep me awake. Now, I let my students know I will not get to anything posted after 7 p.m., when I shut off my phone. Forcing myself to switch off electronics at a certain hour was difficult at first, but it has had a profound impact on my mental and emotional health, as well as my energy level.

Know When to Say No

The other day, my principal sent me an email asking me to present at an event. I was already teaching a credit recovery course and Saturday school, running two clubs, serving on two committees, speaking at another conference, and mentoring three new teachers. I knew this new assignment might break me.

I went to speak with him, explaining what I had on my plate so he understood that I wasn't just being lazy. I then recommended another teacher who had expressed interest in presenting at that event. Too often, teachers are reluctant to say no, but it is absolutely essential if we want to stave off burnout. This is a key part of learning how to achieve work-life balance as a teacher.

Prioritize Your Health

This year, I vowed to in terms of taking care of my physical health. So far, I've lost 22 pounds, and I cannot begin to tell you the effect that it has had on my mood, my energy level, and my endurance. Staying away from sugar and caffeine has made me much calmer, so I'm less likely to lose my temper or fall asleep at 4 p.m. me deal with the daily frustrations of being a teacher and cope with issues outside of my control.

Don't Forget Your Friends Outside of School

Because teachers spend so much time with one another, they often socialize together, too-and that can be an important stress reliever. But don't forget your nonteacher friends. Schedule outings and dinner dates with people outside of the education field.
Further reading: 5 Tips to Be a Happy Teacher
This weekend I spent time with a friend who is a real estate agent and another who is a filmmaker. I found talking about their careers to be fascinating, and it took me outside my classroom. It was a breath of fresh air.

Let It Go

As teachers, it's easy to fixate on small things: the lesson plan that didn't go quite as well as we had hoped, the assessment that needs tweaking, the email that should go out today. But sometimes you just have to let it go. The earth won't fall off its axis if you don't write that email or add that extra lesson on commas to the curriculum tonight. We do our best, but we must recognize that some things are out of our control. Take a deep breath and let it go.

Learning how to achieve work-life balance as a teacher-especially in those early years-can be tough. It is, however, absolutely essential for survival. These strategies can ensure that your teaching career is not only impactful, but also healthy and long-lasting.

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How to Achieve Work-Life Balance As a Teacher

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Figuring out how to achieve work-life balance as a teacher is a huge challenge, but it's essential to avoiding burnout. Here are some tips on how to do it.

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One of the things I like to do with my candidates is to use a strategy I also use with my students -- "Empty the cup, before you fill it up". One reason teachers get so burnt out is that they often feel like no one is listening to their concerns, so I always give them a few minutes to vent and get things off their chest, positive or negative, no judgement or attempting to "fix" anything, just to make them feel heard.

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Let's be honest, class sizes are growing and standards can be difficult to track. It's become harder and harder to catch low performing students before they fall through the cracks. Teachers who know what to look for and who track their observations tend to spot at-risk students earlier on. Here are 11 strategies for catching low performing students early enough to set them back on track.

Encourage them to wonder out loud and share their thoughts. Remind them to ask lots of questions, search for answers, and make connections between what they learn and what they already knew.

2. Use technology to increase student engagement when you can.

Your students will be excited to learn that they are in control of their learning. Show them how to find the videos you've uploaded and ask them to create their own quizzes based on what they learn. Kids need to be trusted and are more likely to share what they know when they understand that you're in it together instead of in it to catch them doing something wrong.

3. Say yes to more training.

The more possibilities you are aware of around how to match technology to student needs, the more engaged your students will be. Anytime you get the opportunity to learn how to observe, identify, and respond to student learning, say yes. New helpful research-based tools and strategies come out all the time and can help you do your job more easily and quickly.

4. Join a support team who meets regularly.

Once you've identified a student who is struggling, you need to find them the help they need right away. Consider joining a group of specialists who meet regularly to brainstorm ways to support a low performing students. The more brains in the room, the better. Plus, it doesn't hurt to know you're not in it alone.

5. Develop a leadership program that isn't based on grades.

Often low performing students are unable to participate in activities that build school spirit and positive self-awareness because entrance is based on excelling at academics or sports. A group that builds leaders through positive activities may be just the way to help a struggling student thrive.

6. Give students different ways to engage on a daily basis.

Teachers need to offer multiple ways for students to engage-through classroom discussion and sharing but also digital collaboration. There are many ways for students to find what feels comfortable from email to blogging to chat rooms.

7. Set up an automatic reminder guaranteeing each student one-on-one time at least once a month.

Kids need to know they are seen. When you look a child in the eye and talk about his work together, you learn so much from each other. Be sure to use your LMS to track data and give yourself reminders to keep the personal connections too. Your relationship with each student is at the heart of learning.

8. Ask students to rate themselves each quarter.

When students tell you who they are, believe them-even if you see work that is better or worse than what they are telling you about themselves. This is one of the simplest ways to discover low performing students whose grades might be hovering around benchmark.

9. Assign each student to teach something they've learned in the current unit.

A student can only teach something she knows well. Presenting material does not allow for under-the-radar flying.

10. Give the student a heads up.

You are about to teach a lesson and you want to see how a student will respond without causing him unnecessary anxiety. Before the lesson, let him know what question you are going to ask and that you plan to call on him. This helps you see if the student has the information but needs more processing time.

11. Be the kind of teacher kids aren't afraid to approach.

Ultimately, the best way to make sure you catch kids before they fail is to develop relationships with them. In this way, you garner respect that leads to honesty and trust.

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Tricks to Catching Low Performing Students Before They Fail

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Let's be honest, class sizes are growing and standards can be difficult to track. It's become harder and harder to catch low performing students before they fall through the cracks. Teachers who know what to look for and who track their observations tend to spot at-risk students earlier on.

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Knowing your personality type, you have a sense of how you operate with yourself and others. There are 9 distinctive personality types that have both strengths and areas to grow in. Here is one resource and there are many out there to help you reflect on how you interact with students and other staff members.

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https://exceptionalchildren.org/blog/work-smarter-not-harder-time-saving-tips-special-education-teachers

I remind my candidate to talk with us veteran teachers! We can all learn from each other. Utilize all available resources after learning them and use paraeducators wisely!

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I've already started my 2019-2020 school year with students and have been reminded again just how much work our job entails! Within 4 days of going back, I was overwhelmed by all the things I had to do, people I had to meet with, and materials I had to prepare for the first day of school.

Despite the back-to-school pressures, however, I'm determined to make this year one of less stress. I know I need to figure out a better system for balancing the demands of the job and being able to leave work at work, which is why I've been thinking a lot about how I can feasibly do this.

I know I can't just magically hire more help or increase my prep time, but I CAN utilize a system to maximize the time and resources I do have.

So, here is my game plan for how I'll work smarter this year in order to get more done in less time.

1. Create a weekly prep schedule

I made a list of all the big buckets of tasks I find myself doing, such as lesson planning, making copies and prepping materials for the upcoming week, and completing IEP paperwork. I then made a schedule for myself where I dedicated one day of the week to spend on each of these bigger tasks during my prep period. My schedule is as follows: - Monday: IEP Paperwork - Tuesday: Collaborate with Gen Ed Teachers and Staff - Wednesday: Lesson Plan for upcoming weeks - Thursday: Copies and Material Prep for upcoming week - Friday: Catch Up/Miscellaneous

With this schedule, I'm hoping I'll be able to use my hour of prep more efficiently and maybe even work ahead if I have extra time!

2. Delegate daily tasks and routines

There are so many little tasks I do in my room on a daily basis that only take about 3 minutes or less. Even though each individual task is short, however, I realized there are so many of them that they end up eating away at a lot of my time.

This year, I'm going to make a list of every single thing that needs to get done on a routine basis (daily, weekly, or even monthly) and work on dividing those tasks between my paras and myself. I then plan to assign each person both a "daily" list of tasks and a "weekly" list of things to accomplish. Items on these lists include things like wiping down the blocks station, reorganizing our prep materials, copying extra data sheets, replacing dead dry erase markers, etc.

By writing down the things I find myself consistently doing and working them into a schedule, I'm hoping to help streamline my work and give myself time to focus on the things I know need to get done. I'm also hoping that the act of simply having this list written out will help take stress off of my plate because I won't be looking around and noticing things that need to happen. Instead, I can trust my schedule and know everything is getting taken care of within a reasonable timeframe.

3. Set boundaries on my time spent working (and stick to them!)

I think it's important to give yourself a set time you WILL leave work by (and it may need to change depending on the day); and then, actually leave! If you stick to this consistently, you WILL find a way to cut time off of tasks, prioritize, and get everything done. It may take time to figure it out, but the only way you ever will is by being consistent and actually leaving when you say you are.

One thing that really helps me is to make commitments for after work so I'm forced to leave when I want to. Sign up for a workout class, make plans to meet up with a friend, OR just write in your planner whatever it is you want to do after you leave work (even if it's just watching TV or going to the grocery store). Having a true commitment holds me accountable for leaving and helps alleviate some of my teacher guilt.

These are my three time-management tips to make the most of your year, but I'd love to hear some of yours! Share in the comments: How have you managed your time better and accomplished more at work?

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Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time-Saving Tips for Special Education Teachers

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I've already started the 2019-2020 school year, which has come with a lot of stress. Here's my game plan for taking a step back and maximizing my available time and resources.

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I like to share with my candidates the analogy of "growing flowers".  My candidates teach K and 1st and they may not see the effort that they are putting in this year, as some of the skills will not be fully mastered until their students are well into elementary school.  Sowing seeds is the most important part of growing the garden.  That is something to stay focused on when one becomes frustrated or disillusioned. 

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I like to share with my candidates the analogy of "growing flowers".  My candidates teach K and 1st and they may not see the effort that they are putting in this year, as some of the skills will not be fully mastered until their students are well into elementary school.  Sowing seeds is the most important part of growing the garden.  That is something to stay focused on when one becomes frustrated or disillusioned. 

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It is important for teachers to take time to celebrate at the end of each year. Celebrate your students successes as well as our own.

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One of the big things that I have told my candidate this year is when we have a break from school take it and don't work. The last 2 years have been incredibly stressful and we all need to take time for ourselves. The break could be at the end of a school day, on the weekends, and school breaks. It is so important now than any other time.

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This is a link to a Mindfulness Body Scan I find helpful.

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This website gives ideas for collecting data from students, colleagues and yourself to enable you to better reflect on your teaching.

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To help you reflect on your teaching, you need some data. You may collect feedback on your teaching at any time of the term and from a variety of sources: your students, your colleagues, and yourself. This sheet provides a number of tools for you to choose from when collecting data about your teaching.

Students' input:

Group instructional feedback

Description: An outside facilitator, such as a colleague or someone from Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE), leads this technique once you have introduced it and left the room. The method involves having the students respond to questions individually, then moving into groups of 4-6 and recording the responses they agree on. The facilitator then reconvenes the whole class and asks groups to share responses in an effort to probe for further clarification and let the class see common ideas. The facilitator collects the groups' response sheets and prepares a report for you. The activity takes 25-30 minutes and generally involves the following open-ended questions:

Caveats: An outside facilitator may have difficulty understanding the course content. As a result, if that is the focus of your concern, you may be better to ask a colleague in your department to lead the exercise. Another concern is the vocal student with complaints who may negatively influence the others. A strong facilitator will limit this possibility. Finally, you will have to give up some class time to use this technique effectively.

What is helping you to learn in this course? (Strengths/Specific Examples)

What could be changed to assist you with your learning? (Changes/Ways to Make Changes)

Other Comments? (Not to be discussed with the whole class)

Colleagues' input

Microteaching (videotape)

Description: This feedback method involves having your class videotaped. The video operator should tape you and your students to get a picture of your teaching and your students' reactions to your teaching. You can then review the tape on your own or, preferably, with a colleague (for a second opinion). This tool can be even more helpful if you use a checklist or some specific prompts when analyzing the video. This is an excellent resource for discovering exactly what you do and don't do when teaching a class and does not have to be done for an entire class (i.e., 15 minutes of a 60-minute class, 25 minutes of a 90-minute class). Example checklist prompts:

Caveats: This method offers factual information, but some faculty may find it too revealing to be comfortable with it. Consider reviewing the tape with a CTE consultant for confidential feedback.

What am I doing well/not doing well?

What do the students seem to enjoy least/most?

If I could do this session again, what are 3 things I would change?

What resources do I need to use in order to change?

Your input

CTE can help at any point in the feedback process, including questionnaire development, data collection, data analysis, and ideas for improvement. All of these services are available to you on a confidential basis. Please call the CTE Office (x33132) for more information or assistance.

References

Angelo, T.A. & Cross, K.P. (1993). Classroom Assessment Techniques: A Handbook for College Teachers. 2nd ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Boud, D. & Kilty, J. (1995). "Using Self Appraisal with Peer Feedback in Professional Development." Enhancing Learning through Self-Assessment. D. Boud (ed.) London: Kogan Page Ltd.

Brown, S. (1998). Peer Assessment in Practice. Birmingham, UK: SEDA Publications.

Davis, B.G. (1993). Tools for Teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Inc.

Diamond, R.M. (1997). Designing and Assessing Courses and Curricula. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Fenwick, T. & Parsons, J. (2000). The Art of Evaluation: A Handbook for Educators and Trainers. Toronto, ON: Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

Freeman, R. & Lewis, R. (1998). Planning and Implementing Assessment. London: Kogan Page Ltd.

Fuhrmann, B.S. & Grasha, A.F. (1982). A Practical Handbook for College Teachers. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company.

Gedalof, A. (1998). Teaching Large Classes. Halifax, NS: Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Rando, W.C. & Lenze, L.F. (1994). Learning from Students. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University.

Wilson, R.C. (1987). "Toward Excellence in Teaching." New Directions for Teaching and Learning: Techniques for Evaluating and Improving Instruction. No. 31. L.M. Aleamoni (ed.) San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Inc, pp. 15-17.

This Creative Commons license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon our work non-commercially, as long as they credit us and indicate if changes were made. Use this citation format: Tools for Reflecting on Your Teaching. Centre for Teaching Excellence, University of Waterloo.

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Tools for Reflecting on Your Teaching | Centre for Teaching Excellence

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To help you reflect on your teaching, you need some data. You may collect feedback on your teaching at any time of the term and from a variety of sources: your students, your colleagues, and yourself. This sheet provides a number of tools for you to choose from when collecting data about your teaching.

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Listening to the episode, "Student behavior, grace, & consequences in the final weeks of school (with Amy Stohs)" helped me frame conversations with my candidates especially as burn out and tiredness overcomes us all at the end of the school year. I was able to talk through with my candidate how to motivate their students, particularly seniors, as we head into celebrations and events. One thing that really resonated was the quote, "uf I take away all socialization and isolate a child, that is not healthy for their well-being. They no longer belong to the class. If I punish a student for poor choices by removing all pleasure, I’ve removed any motivation for them to come to my class tomorrow." As folks start to think about taking away events like grad night or prom. It has helped us think more deeply about choice theory and partnering with parents in these finals weeks.

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As the year ends and testing is a big stress I remind my candidate that this is a baseline for years to come. We also need to see what the learning loss might be for our students, so we can fill in the gaps the next year.

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This article offers coaches questions that can be used during end of the year discussions/meetings. It is important to guide new teachers to reflect on these questions and to encourage them to take some time to reflect on what went well during the year and maybe what didn't go so well. This is a great springboard to those discussions.

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End of Year Reflection for Teachers - Teaching with Jennifer Findley

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End of year reflection for teachers is key for making changes and celebrating the positives. This post shares ideas for reflecting on the end of the year.

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This is a great resource to help with classroom management, critical thinking ideas and even teaching with trauma in mind. I highly recommend any of the books and the webinars are great!

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When you invest time in continuing education, you want to be sure you’re learning the wisdom that can truly transform you & your classroom!

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End of the year- Jennifer Findley is a must. 

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End of the year- Jennifer Findley is a must. 

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As a coach, I ask my candidates what changes they think they may want to implement the following year and make a list.  This way they have some goals that are fresh in their mind from this year.  I tell them to put this list where they will see it when they return to work in the fall.  

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As a coach, I ask my candidates what changes they think they may want to implement the following year and make a list.  This way they have some goals that are fresh in their mind from this year.  I tell them to put this list where they will see it when they return to work in the fall.  

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A great (kid-friendly, too!)  Yoga resource!  This is a great way for adults to re-center and rejuvenate!

There are fee videos available on Youtube under "Dat Yoga Dude."

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There are two distinct feelings educators have at the end of the year. A feeling of exhaustion and a feeling of appreciation.

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The 14 Most Powerful Compliments to Give a Teacher

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Teachers are underappreciated for all their hard work. Let’s change that! These simple yet powerful compliments will mean the world to an educator.

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I think it is a great idea for students to reflect on what they have learned this year. They can look at Google Documents/slideshows, pictures, etc. to review what they learned. They could also do a at the beginning of the year I couldn't do....now I can do T-chart to see how far they improved in the school year. This give students a meaningful way to make connections and understand that improvement is important and what they do matters.

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My candidate and I have attended a couple of Sasha Long's free webinars/video professional developments to get ideas and cause us to reflect on practices in the classroom. It has been a great discussion starter and lead to great outcomes for my candidates students.

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Resources, tips, and materials to help you, help children with autism

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Reflecting utilizing video can be very  successful in many ways.  Teachers can use video to reflect over a lesson, a portion of a lesson or even to see how far they have come in accomplishing a goal they had.  Videos can also be shared with peers in order to get helpful advise, recommendations or clarification.  They help teachers get a different perspective of themselves and from others, and improve or change something that they wouldn't have otherwise have identified without looking back at themselves.  

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Reflecting utilizing video can be very  successful in many ways.  Teachers can use video to reflect over a lesson, a portion of a lesson or even to see how far they have come in accomplishing a goal they had.  Videos can also be shared with peers in order to get helpful advise, recommendations or clarification.  They help teachers get a different perspective of themselves and from others, and improve or change something that they wouldn't have otherwise have identified without looking back at themselves.  

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Coaching for Equity with Honest Self-Reflection!

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Coaching for Equity with Honest Self-Reflection!

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This can also go in the reflection section, but has so many concrete questions we can honestly ask ourselves as teachers to surface biases and become more effective educators!

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Coaching for Equity Tools - Bright Morning

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Tools from Coaching for Equity Welcome to the downloadable tools for Coaching for Equity. Here you will find worksheets, rubrics, and other documents to augment and enhance the material available in Elena's Coaching for Equity. The Coaching Lenses The Consultancy Protocol Planning for an Equity-Focused Conversation Reflecting on My Own Biases The Equity Rubric (Appendix [...]Read More...

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This was a great article because I think it is so important to reflect on your life, your busyness, you work load, your curriculum, your students, your classroom management, and the negatives and positives and lessons. It is important to not let life and teaching consume you and reflection allows you to weed out and let go whatever is not working and focus on what helps you and your class grow and destress.

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What is Reflective Practice?

As teachers, there is not a single school day that we leave our buildings and do not think about how our day went. We are always perseverating over why a student acted out or why an amazing lesson did not go over well. Without even realizing it, we are using reflective practice. These daily thoughts are rather informal, but if we act on what we think, these thoughts can be an excellent starting point on using reflective practice to improve ourselves and our teaching strategies.

Reflective practice is and should be an ongoing exercise throughout our entire teaching career. This is not an exercise for preservice teachers or those early in their teaching. As educators and administrators, we need to be partaking in reflective practice all the time. Reflective practice is when we look at and analyze our class from an outside perspective. We can do this by looking at our students' data. Additionally, teachers can journal after each lesson to help them pinpoint the positives and possibilities for change.

What are the Benefits of Reflective Practice?

There are many benefits from reflective practice. Teachers who regularly reflect on their teaching can help improve their own professional practices. They can help administrators decide what professional development would be most helpful at that time. Day-to-day responsibilities and actions are always changing in schools. When teachers participate in reflective practice, they are able to respond in a positive way to change.

Reflective practice pushes teachers to update their lesson plans to reach the current needs of the students in front of them. Every year, students change. Therefore, they will have different needs than the students in the past year. Evaluating our teaching methods will help us keep all students engaged.

How to Get Started with Reflective Practice

Journaling

Getting started with reflective practice does not need to be overwhelming. As stated above, journaling at the end of the school day (or even between class periods) is an easy way to start. By writing down and taking the time to think about everything that happened during your teaching, you will be able to decide what areas need to change and what lessons definitely were successful.

Peer Observation

Another great way to begin is to ask a fellow teacher if they would like to do reflective practice with you. Conducting two-way peer observations will give each teacher another viewpoint on their lessons and an opportunity to learn new ideas from other teachers.

Research New Theories

Reflecting on our lessons has to also include learning new theories. Even though we think that our lessons are going wonderfully, we want to continually learn the newest techniques. Researching these theories is the first step, but then you must take the time to put theories into your practice. Trying out new strategies and then of course reflecting on them will make you a progressive teacher with whom students love to engage.

Curriculum Development

Curriculum development is another way to participate in reflective practice. There are times when teachers complain about new curriculum being introduced into their areas. Therefore, reaching out to administration ahead of time with innovative ideas will certainly make you part of the team who is developing new curriculum. This will give you an opportunity to discuss what has worked in the past and what has not. You will be able to use your reflective practice to guide the curriculum development in your area.

Student Surveys

Conducting student surveys is also a great way to do reflective practice. This does not have to be time consuming at all. At the end of a unit or chapter, after quizzes, tests, and projects have been completed, ask the students to reflect on what was done in your class. Ask them to be honest about what they liked and disliked, but most importantly, ask them why they liked an activity and why they did not like something.

Understanding what your students are thinking can help you create future lesson plans and change past lessons for the next time you were to use it. If the majority of student feedback says that they did not like a test because they felt they were unprepared, it will make you a better teacher by realizing you needed to go more in depth with the topic. These are meant to be helpful and not for any teacher to feel intimidated or upset with comments given by students. It is especially important that students know that you will not be offended by their comments.

Involvement in School Change

Reflective practice can also be when a teacher gets involved in school change. Reflective practice is being aware of what is working and not working in your classroom but also in the entire school. Speaking with fellow teachers about issues that they may be seeing and then researching solutions to fix these problems will serve the best interest of the entire school community. Trying to find solutions to problems in both the classroom and school is reflective practice.

Finally, reflective practice leads to reflective teachers. Reflective teachers are able to meet problems head on and not get intimidated by change. They are flexible and patient. They are always learning new techniques and sharing those with fellow teachers. They are inquisitive and wanting to learn from others. They do not look at criticism negatively but as way to improve their teaching and to reach their students. Reflective teachers use their time wisely and are continually reflecting on themselves for personal improvement. A teacher new to reflective practice should not be afraid at analyzing their teaching. Instead, they should see how much reflective practice can help them throughout their teaching careers and the way that they will influence their students.

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Why You Should Use Reflective Practice - TeachHUB

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As teachers, there is not a single school day that we leave our buildings and do not think about how our day went. We are always perseverating over why a student acted out or why an amazing lesson did not go over well. Without even realizing it, we are using reflective practice.

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I feel it is crucial to end the year on a positive note even though we all know the last weeks of school are a whirlwind. There's so much that needs to get done that it's overwhelming. I love the TED video "Every kid needs a champion" as a reminder of why we do what we do and the final push to end the year strong.

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The two books: "11 habits of happy teachers" and "Happiness by design" are great resources for the coach to share what they learn and then for the candidate to read over the summer!

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The two books: "11 habits of happy teachers" and "Happiness by design" are great resources for the coach to share what they learn and then for the candidate to read over the summer!

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Talking Points App for Parent Communication. Game changer and helps to keep all avenues of communication informed and up to date. I'll share this form of communication with all teachers- keep you head above water!

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Talking Points App for Parent Communication. Game changer and helps to keep all avenues of communication informed and up to date. I'll share this form of communication with all teachers- keep you head above water!

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I have found Michelle's videos to be so helpful in navigating the world of the digital classroom. I hope others enjoy her as well!

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This is the best app out there to help rejuvenate and motivate you to head into a new day. I use it daily for meditation and mindfulness. It helps me start a new day of teaching with a new perspective to deal with a stressful environment or situation. I recommend this to any educator, I play the calming music in my classroom, use it for yoga, and love the sleep stories.

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Calm is the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety.

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I find it important to get to know my new teachers before we got into the course work. The first few meetings were just learning about them and their work place. Once I had a relationship it was easy to get started and they were willing to open up and ask questions. I only wish we got started earlier than we did this year

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I have told my candidates that it is ok to say no more for the day or the week. The work will never end! It is important to set a time that you leave work and leave work at work.

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I found that both my candidates struggled with balancing their work and personal lives. Sometimes they'd stay until 6 pm on campus working. I had a few conversations with them throughout the school year about managing their time better and making sure they don't overburden themselves or they can burn out quickly.

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Figuring out how to achieve work-life balance as a teacher is a huge challenge. Teachers enter the profession because they hope to change lives, but they often find that there are obstacles in their path, and the expectations teachers face can seem impossible to live up to. Finding the sweet spot between achievement and work-life balance can help teachers build a long, happy, and healthy career. Here are some tips on how to achieve work-life balance as a teacher.

Respect Your Time

Teachers tend to be hard workers. It's not unusual for teachers to stay at school until 7 p.m. helping students, to stay up until midnight correcting papers, and to spend weekends planning lessons, chaperoning field trips, or attending conferences. And make no mistake about it: I understand that teachers' duties are almost impossible to accomplish without putting in extra hours. However, recognizing that you cannot plan countless field trips, attend every school event, and serve on all committees can help you focus on what will have the most impact on your students' success.

Recognize That You're Having an Impact (Even When It Doesn't Feel Like It)

If you've been a teacher for as long as I have (23 years and counting!), you recognize that you don't always know the effect you've had on your students until many years later. Eddie, for example, was a bright but oppositional student in my senior English class. He was so defiant that I initially wanted him moved from my class.

He had a great sense of humor, though. He responded when I matched wits with him, and his grade climbed. He still drove me a bit crazy, but he graduated, and I didn't hear from him for almost 10 years. Then, one day, he stopped by my classroom. He told me that my class was transformative for him, and he was now studying to be an English teacher.
Further reading: What Makes a Teacher Memorable?
I was shocked, but perhaps I shouldn't have been; every teacher I know has a story like this. So remember, you might not see the immediate results of your hard work, but teachers do change students' lives each and every day just by being themselves and building connections. Keeping that in mind can help when you feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of teaching.

Shut Off the Electronics

With email and online education platforms like Schoology, students and parents can now connect with teachers at any time. While this can be very helpful in some cases, I found myself replying to student posts at 11 p.m. and answering emails in the wee hours of the morning. Sometimes, those posts and emails would get me excited or upset about something, and keep me awake. Now, I let my students know I will not get to anything posted after 7 p.m., when I shut off my phone. Forcing myself to switch off electronics at a certain hour was difficult at first, but it has had a profound impact on my mental and emotional health, as well as my energy level.

Know When to Say No

The other day, my principal sent me an email asking me to present at an event. I was already teaching a credit recovery course and Saturday school, running two clubs, serving on two committees, speaking at another conference, and mentoring three new teachers. I knew this new assignment might break me.

I went to speak with him, explaining what I had on my plate so he understood that I wasn't just being lazy. I then recommended another teacher who had expressed interest in presenting at that event. Too often, teachers are reluctant to say no, but it is absolutely essential if we want to stave off burnout. This is a key part of learning how to achieve work-life balance as a teacher.

Prioritize Your Health

This year, I vowed to in terms of taking care of my physical health. So far, I've lost 22 pounds, and I cannot begin to tell you the effect that it has had on my mood, my energy level, and my endurance. Staying away from sugar and caffeine has made me much calmer, so I'm less likely to lose my temper or fall asleep at 4 p.m. me deal with the daily frustrations of being a teacher and cope with issues outside of my control.

Don't Forget Your Friends Outside of School

Because teachers spend so much time with one another, they often socialize together, too-and that can be an important stress reliever. But don't forget your nonteacher friends. Schedule outings and dinner dates with people outside of the education field.
Further reading: 5 Tips to Be a Happy Teacher
This weekend I spent time with a friend who is a real estate agent and another who is a filmmaker. I found talking about their careers to be fascinating, and it took me outside my classroom. It was a breath of fresh air.

Let It Go

As teachers, it's easy to fixate on small things: the lesson plan that didn't go quite as well as we had hoped, the assessment that needs tweaking, the email that should go out today. But sometimes you just have to let it go. The earth won't fall off its axis if you don't write that email or add that extra lesson on commas to the curriculum tonight. We do our best, but we must recognize that some things are out of our control. Take a deep breath and let it go.

Learning how to achieve work-life balance as a teacher-especially in those early years-can be tough. It is, however, absolutely essential for survival. These strategies can ensure that your teaching career is not only impactful, but also healthy and long-lasting.

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How to Achieve Work-Life Balance As a Teacher

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Figuring out how to achieve work-life balance as a teacher is a huge challenge, but it's essential to avoiding burnout. Here are some tips on how to do it.

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This is a nice blog that has a great deal of motivating information.

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We've probably all experienced that feeling of burnout at one point or another in our teaching career. Regardless of how long you've been in the profession, the feeling of frustration and overwhelm can take its toll on you. Hopefully, you will find these tips from Stephanie helpful so that you can get yourself back up and motivated once more! ~EMP
During my years teaching, learned that burn out can happen fast, especially if you don't have supports in place. Whether you're an educator feeling this impending burnout or are just curious what you can do to keep yourself getting there, here are 10 things I do to keep myself motivated:
#1 Be supportive
Learn your student's interests, dreams, and hopes. Know what's happening in their lives, and share some of your own stories with them. Encourage and support them in whatever they aim to achieve. Each individual you teach is truly unique!

Get your own FREE copy of a student reflection sheet where students can write down their interests, talents and challenges.
#2 Have a fresh outlook
Teaching offers you the opportunity to start fresh every day. Even if you had a bad day, perhaps a lesson went badly or your students misbehaved, you can still start with a fresh outlook. Act friendly, greet your students at the door, smile, start your morning with a joke, and at times make light, supportive gestures to your students. Every day is truly a new day.
#3 Don't give up
Be positive and encourage a growth mindset. Do not underestimate the effect of motivational and inspirational quotes to your students. Most successful teachers are motivated teachers, so set intentions every day and embrace things that inspire you.
#4 Set intentions
Have a plan or purpose in mind every day. Set what you want to achieve each day and include your students in your plans. Your intentions should be clear and make sure you do what you had planned to do. Setting intentions is a great way to motivate yourself every day you walk in the classroom.
#5 Try out something new or different
Normal routines can get boring, so to avoid this, try introducing something new to your students. Start every lesson familiarizing with your students and motivating them. Trying a different schedule, or breaking the routine to learn a new skill will keep you motivated and keep your students interested in what you introduce next. Check out The Inspired Classroom's collection of posts containing new ideas and lessons.
#6 Manage your workspace
Teachers are able to control their workspace and make it more comfortable for them. Because of this, try to surround yourself with things that make you happy. This can include inspirational messages, special decorations or your family pictures. Try to create an environment that motivates you.
#7 Display your talents
Teachers can stay motivated by showing people what they are good at. Try showcasing your brilliant classroom ideas and crafts that you worked very hard to come up with the Inspiring Teachers online community.

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Connect and reconnect with old students, coworkers or new teachers and mentor them. All of these things are effective in motivating you to feel more confident in yourself, and in turn, make a difference in your student's lives.
#8 Relax
Each day, try to relax after you get home from work. Spend a few hours doing something you enjoy and try to forget about any type of school work. Relaxation will relieve the stress you built up during the day, making you more enthusiastic for the next.
#9 Don't overwork yourself
Teaching more does not mean your students will learn more. Remember students often do not care about how fast you get things done. So, don't burden yourself grading their tests overnight or spending your weekend planning lessons. Try doing things differently by setting a work schedule that does not interfere with your normal life.
#10 Learn to say no
One quick way to burn out is by overstretching yourself, especially if you are a new teacher. Teachers will ask you to assist them in their work, while your students will ask you to sponsor their clubs or come to their games. It is really important to learn to say no without feeling guilty or bad, but you have to do some practice to really get good at it.
#11 Bonus Attend Teacher-Centered PD
Having the opportunity to feed yourself personally as well as professionally is truly a gift. Consider attending a workshop where you will learn something new and get inspired so that you can be inspiring to your students. A Teacher Art Retreat might be just what you're looking for!

If you're not careful and kind to yourself, burnout is going to happen or it will be felt sooner or later.

Let's talk more about Teacher Self-Care. And if you attend this event LIVE, you can earn PD hours! Click the image to get more info. 🙂
This was a guest post written by Stephanie Lynch, a former teacher who now freelance writes from home. You can find most of her work at Howmuchisit.org.

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Feeling Drained? How Teachers Can Motivate Themselves to Keep Going - The Inspired Classroom

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We've probably all experienced that feeling of burnout at one point or another in our teaching career. Regardless of how long you've been in the profession, the feeling of frustration and overwhelm can take its toll on you. Hopefully, you will find these tips from Stephanie helpful so that you can get yourself back up and motivated once more!

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Truth for Teachers Podcast is awesome!

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I love the idea of having students write a letter to themselves outlining one fantastic thing they have achieved this year and one thing they would like to work on for next year. This is what I do myself each year and it is extremely helpful when trying to gather insight for what you need to work on. I also think it is important for teachers, new or seasoned, to pick one thing to improve on each year. When you first start out as a teacher, it is kind of like trying to take a sip of water out of a fire hose; everything is coming at you all at once. Sure, we strive to become all-around excellent teachers, but focusing on just one thing give you a place to start without overwhelming yourself.

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Ah, the end of the year. Everyone's tired and losing focus. Some tests are behind you (state tests, AP exams), some may be ahead of you, and probably no one - you or your students - is really at their best. So what's a teacher to do? Choose a goal to make the last month of school an effective one. Here are some time-honored end-of-the-year activities.

Goal: Review What We've Learned

Let the kids teach the class.

Split the class into groups and assign each a specific topic you studied this year. Give them time to go over their topic and invent a good review activity, which they have to grade. You assess them on whether they get their facts straight and how effective their review activity is.

Have students write a children's book.

When writing for younger children, your students will have to really simplify and emphasize the key elements of your course. This can serve as a great review and a fun way to integrate art into the curriculum. Students might write the children's version of a Shakespeare play, a young readers' version of the history of Ancient Egypt, or a picture book that illustrates the cycle of life.

Host a talk show or "expert" symposium.

Imagine an Oprah-style show on bullying or school violence as a way to discuss The Chocolate War. Or a discussion on "Great 20 th-Century Achievements in Science," featuring Albert Einstein, Neil Armstrong, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Stephen Hawking - all portrayed by students. Put students in groups and have them research their topic, write a script on it, and present their show to the class.

End-of-the-Year Activities: Reflect on the Year's Experience

Create a class scrapbook.

Let each student make a page. Offer some prompts (My favorite book we read.../The best experiment we did in chemistry.../One thing I learned about myself...) and encourage students to include favorite class memories. Supplement with photos of students, the classroom, or class activities. Make a copy of the scrapbook for every student, or make a digital scrapbook students can access online.

Have students write letters to themselves.

Ask your students to write themselves a letter, reviewing the year and making "resolutions" for the next school year. Give them some prompts to write about: one thing they are proud of from this year, one thing they would like to do differently next year, one thing they want to remember, and so on. You can either mail these letters to your students just before the start of the next school year, or make arrangements with their next teachers to distribute the letters at the start of school.

Ask students to write letters to your future students.

Have your current students write letters of advice for the new students you will teach next year. What advice would they give on how to "survive" or do well in your classroom? What are the hardest parts of the course? If you have any special traditions or "surprise" activities you don't want students to spoil, make sure to tell them ahead of time.

Create a portfolio or profile for each student.

Work together with your students to develop an individual profile that highlights their work from this year. Depending on the level of your students, this may include samples of work, a self-evaluation, and a written teacher evaluation. If possible, make two copies - one for students to show their parents and a second copy for the student's next teacher. Keep in mind: this activity works best when it relies on student work and self-assessment more than teacher comments. You can also have them create a digital portfolio.

Invite students to evaluate the course.

For older students, evaluating the course can be valuable on many levels. They may surprise you with their assessments of their own contributions and may have some good suggestions for ways to revise the course. Even better, you're providing a good model for them, showing everyone can benefit from constructive feedback and all of us have things to learn.

Goal: Do Something Educational But Not Too Stressful

Teach that fun unit you never have time for.

Most teachers have fun units or activities they can never find time for. Why not do it now? Food math, logic puzzles, Mythbuster-style experiments, or lessons on advertising or political cartoons - these are legitimate educational activities with a high "fun factor" that will make it easier to maintain student engagement and motivation.

Go outside.

As the weather warms up, find a way to teach outside. Students can explore nature using math or science skills or write a poem about the weather. Got an activity that is messy or noisy? Doing it on the field is a great way to enjoy spring.

Put a new twist on skill drills.

Every teacher has skills or content they want students to practice - reading, writing, learning the Periodic Table, or memorizing the Pythagorean Theorem. Choose a specific skill and make it the focus of your lessons. Have a reading fair, declare Grammar Week, or hold a math theorem memorization contest.

Find a fun way to practice these skills - if your students need to improve their reading skills, can you allow them to read Sports Illustrated or X-Box: the Magazine? If they need more time on writing, have them write profiles of their favorite TV stars or even write their own autobiographies. Practice is easier than learning new material but still a valid way to spend class time.

Do some good for the world.

Take this time to get involved with a cause that is meaningful to you or your students. Students can write letters to government leaders, organize fundraisers, or create pamphlets or flyers addressing a particular issue. You can build off world events, tackle an issue you read about during the year, or just ask students what issues matter to them.

Unsure of what your students can do? Why not have them research ways that people their age can make a difference? Create a binder or website that lists volunteer activities or causes that welcome the support of younger people. It can be a resource the entire community can benefit from.

It can be hard to keep yourself - and your students - motivated, but with a little effort and planning, the last month could be the most fun, most effective time of the school year!

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Top 12 Effective End-of-the-Year Activities - TeachHUB

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Ah, the end of the year. Everyone's tired and losing focus. Some tests are behind you (state tests, AP exams), some may be ahead of you, and probably no one - you or your students - is really at their best. So what's a teacher to do?

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I feel it is important, not just for new teachers, but all to reflect on the school year as it comes to a close.  I know sometimes we are just happy to finish, but looking at what was successful, what needs to be improved, and what needs to be tossed is important.  If we wait until after summer, we forget the little things that made lessons successful or flop.  We can set goals early, and use them to help accomplish what is most important.  And we can look at what we need to change and/or let go of.  Then I think it is easier to use the summer to recharge and then regroup at the beginning of the new school year.
https://teachingmadepractical.com/teacher-reflection-and-goal-setting/

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If you're anything like most teachers, then you are in constant catch-up mode. A teacher's work is never done - there is always more to do. And never enough time to do it all. That's why taking the time to ask yourself revealing teacher reflection questions is often overlooked.

But putting aside a little time to reflect on past school years so that you can adjust and make changes in the future can be a lifesaver.

That's why I created this Teacher Reflection and and Goal Setting for a Less Stressful School Year Resource. It walks you through a process to help you identify what's taking up time and causing you stress. Then, it helps you create a plan and goals that will minimize your frustrations and help you use your time more wisely.

You don't need this resource to ask yourself to ask yourself these teacher reflection questions, though! Walk through the questions and steps below to think about changes you might like to make in your classroom.

Teacher Reflection Questions

Read through the questions below, and then use them to help you do a "brain dump" - write down everything that comes to mind about this past school year.

Don't be too practical during this time - just let out all of your emotions, both the good and the bad. Sometimes simply writing down your frustrations can be cathartic.

What are you most proud of from last school year?

What are you most embarrassed by?

What made you laugh?

What made you cry?

What drained you and weighed you down?

What did spend too much time on?

What did you spend too little time on?

What classroom procedures were a constant annoyance to you?

What time of day was the most frustrating to you?

What annoyed you most about your students or your school day?

How did teaching affect your home life?

What happened during your favorite day of the school year?

What happened on your least favorite day of the school year?

What was constantly in the back of your mind, bugging you?

What area of your classroom caused the most problems with students?

Reflection Questions Geared Towards Goal Setting

Now that you've let out all your frustrations, it's time to think about the things you want to change.

You can't change everything, so focus on the things that really weighed you down, frustrated you, or annoyed you last year.

However, a new plan shouldn't make your life more complicated! As you think about making changes for next year, consider these questions:

Will this be easy to maintain?

Will setting up a teacher morning routine or leaving the classroom routine help with this?

Can I get a parent or student to help me with this?

What procedures or systems can I set in place to help out with this?

Will this make me happier or more stressed out?

If I spend time on this, what other task will I have to let go of?

Is this really that important?

Who does this really well that might be able to help or offer advice?

Will this have a big impact, or should I focus on something else?

Is there an easy change I can make to solve this frustration?

After considering these questions, take the time to write out 2 or 3 things you would like to change. Be specific - what will you change? What steps will you need to take? Write it all out.

Just taking the time to answer some of these teacher reflection questions should help you come up with goals for a less stressful school year. However, walking through this more in depth process with my Teacher Reflection and Goal Setting for a Less Stressful School Year Resource will offer a lot more clarity and help you prioritize what is most important.

Never Stress Over Sub Plans Again!
Make copies, find a fiction book, and you'll be ready for any emergency that comes your way!

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25 Teacher Reflection Questions for a Better Year

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If you're anything like most teachers, then you are in constant catch-up mode. A teacher's work is never done - there is always more to do. And never enough time to do it all. That's why taking the time to ask yourself revealing teacher reflection questions is often overlooked.

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An excellent video that gives some great points to reflect on. As summer is approaching, I look forward to diving deeper into my subject (American Government) in order to better serve my students. The video states that great teachers learn.

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What makes a good teacher great? | Azul Terronez | TEDxSantoDomingo

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At the end of the year I give my students a survey. The survey asks what activities/projects they enjoyed the most/least. Do they think I should keep or get rid of activities/projects that we did, etc. It is always so interesting to see how their opinions of the activities and mine differ or are the same.

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At a time when stress is at an all-time high, it's so important to be a sounding board for new teachers and to let them know that veteran teachers are feeling many of the same things, and they are not alone or failing in some way. In addition to this, I feel that laughter really is the best medicine, so we will often send each other humorous teacher videos or watch them together at lunch just to increase the endorphins and relax a bit.  One of my favorites is @honestteachervibes and a podcast called "Teachers Off Duty", where they discuss various stories and experiences in the classroom.  The teacher hosts range from TK-12, so you hear a variety of relatable, and often humorous, stories about their day-to-day happenings.

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I have a candidate who taught their first year over distance learning and now in their second year doing live instruction has proved overwhelming.  With so much to do, from instruction to, PBIS, to social emotional activities, to credential activities, and not to mention developing his ILP.  Most of his free time comes during the vacation days and off-time we have.  He's asked me to help him develop his classroom management skills and student engagement.  Here is an article I found using the tool kit to help him with developing classroom management and student engagement.  12 Must-Teach Classroom Procedures and Routines.  Having routines can help alleviate much of the issues you have with off-task behavior so that you can focus on student engagement.  

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I have a candidate who taught their first year over distance learning and now in their second year doing live instruction has proved overwhelming.  With so much to do, from instruction to, PBIS, to social emotional activities, to credential activities, and not to mention developing his ILP.  Most of his free time comes during the vacation days and off-time we have.  He's asked me to help him develop his classroom management skills and student engagement.  Here is an article I found using the tool kit to help him with developing classroom management and student engagement.  12 Must-Teach Classroom Procedures and Routines.  Having routines can help alleviate much of the issues you have with off-task behavior so that you can focus on student engagement.  

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This is one of our favorite classroom procedures because it's easy and cuts back on a big problem. "The no-name papers will disappear," says Kristin B.W.

Learn more: Free Highlight Your Name Poster at Teachers Pay Teachers

12. Greet every student at the door

"They behave better when they feel cared about," says Debra M. Don't we all?

13. Use a visual timer

A Time Timer or visual timer shows how much time is left in an activity, letting students answer the "how much time do we have" question on their own.

Buy it: Visual Timer at Amazon

14. Streamline hall passes

Having a hall pass that works for your class will make your day infinitely easier as students will know if they can leave your class, and other teachers will know the students are permitted to move around the school.

Learn more: Paintbrush Hall Pass/Create Art With Me and Hall Pass Ideas

15. Stamp your feedback

Get a set of self-inking stamps that you can use to give feedback on student work. Or for students who are working on completing work independently or improving behavior, use rubber stamps that address common concerns as well as data tracking for students with IEPs.

Buy it: Rubber Stamps at Mrs. D's Corner

16. Get their attention

Having a selection of attention-getters that you can alternate, depending on your and your students' moods, will help you direct students throughout the day.

17. Set up a cell phone charging station

It's important to establish classroom procedures for cell phones from the beginning. Having a cell phone charging station solves the problem of students checking their phones during instruction. Set up the expectation that students store phones in the station so there's no back-and-forth about how much charge they have (their phones charging is not the point).

Learn more: Tips and Tricks for Managing Cell Phones in Class

18. Prep task boxes to keep kids busy

Having a set of boxes with coloring sheets, worksheets, extra practice, and games that students can play quietly or independently gives students a way to stay busy and learning while other students are finishing work.

Learn more: Swoop Into Kindergarten

19. Assign classroom jobs

Assign class jobs so that every aspect of the day is taken care of, and so students have ownership over what happens in your room during the day. Set up a way to rotate the jobs each week, and once students have their preferred jobs, keep tabs on who is doing what so it feels fair.

Learn more: Big List of Classroom Jobs

20. Have students apply for class jobs

Once students know what the class jobs are, have them apply for a job to have for the semester or year. You'll have consistency from week to week, and students will get the experience of applying and managing their responsibilities.

Learn more: Free Student Job Application at Teachers Pay Teachers

21. Communicate with cups

Provide students with a set of green, yellow, and red cups. As they work, they start with the green cup on top. If they feel like they need help, they switch the cup to yellow. And if they are totally stuck, they put the red cup on top. You can respond to the red cups first.

Learn more: Ingenious Ways To Use Solo Cups/K Teacher Tiff

22. Make bulletin boards work for you

Interactive bulletin boards can help you collect exit tickets, give you information about what students think about a question, and provide a fun procedure for students to complete each day.

Learn more: Our Favorite Interactive Bulletin Boards

23. Tighten your exit ticket procedures

Create a predictable way to collect exit tickets so students can spend their time showing what they know instead of figuring out how to pass it in.

Learn more: Exit Ticket Ideas

24. Be strategic with seating

A Double E, Pairs, Four Square-these are all ways to arrange your classroom. Your classroom routines and procedures will go much smoother if the class is set up to facilitate everything from passing papers in and out to lining up and finding groups and partners to work with.

Learn more: Student Desk Arrangement Ideas/Lucky Little Learners

25. Organize classroom procedures around a theme

Who says your theme can't incorporate procedures? Choose a classroom theme and get creative. If your theme is "Under the Sea," have seashells on the wall where students can post exit tickets, an octopus cell phone charging station, and a paper return tray decorated like a coral reef.

Learn more: Our Favorite Classroom Theme Ideas

26. Sort students into groups creatively

If students are going to be working together at all, you'll save time by having a quick procedure to move them from whole group to pairs or teams. One idea: Use pairs of cards to have students match up with their partner. Another idea: While students are seated, place a colored button (one color per group) on each desk. Then, have students stand and find the people who have the same-color button. After they're finished, have students return the buttons to a jar up front. You can use buttons or any other materials (colored sticks, tiles, etc).

Learn more: Clever Ways To Put Students Into Groups

27. Simplify grading

For informal assessments, let students know if they did or did not meet the assignment expectations. This is easier on you and gives students a quick update that they don't have to calculate (7/10) or respond to (letter grades).

Learn more: Creative Ways To Check for Understanding

28. Make transitions magical

As students move from place to place in the room, use a "magic" wand and turn them all into snowflakes, unicorns, or yetis. Get silly with it, and as students get more familiar with this procedure, put them in charge of the magic wand.

Buy it: Magic Wand at Amazon

29. Post a visual schedule

A visual schedule outlining your classroom procedures is a great way to help students know what's coming next. And for students who process visual information easier than auditory, it's helpful to be able to see the schedule and refer to it throughout the day. An individual visual schedule for a student with autism or processing needs can help them move throughout the day as well.

Learn more: Free Visual Schedule Templates

30. Bring nonverbal reminders wherever you go

Hang nonverbal reminders around your neck/lanyard and use them to prompt students to follow procedures, anywhere you go.

Buy it: Pictoral Communication Cards at Twinkl

31. Buzz in answers

Once students are in groups, have them use answer buzzers to chime in. It reduces noise and calling out.

Buy it: Light and Sound Buzzers at Amazon

For more teacher tips, tricks, and ideas, be sure to sign up for our free newsletters to find out when they're posted!

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31 Must-Teach Classroom Procedures and Routines

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These seriously cut your stress. We've compiled the best classroom procedures and routine ideas from our community and around the web.

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I believe reflection is necessary in order to learn and improve. It can be as simple and looking back at a lesson and seeing what went right, wrong, challenges, etc; and seeing what to change or keep. By reflecting on actions and student behaviors, teachers can improve over time and also be more ready for different situations that occur in the classroom.

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The Truth for Teachers Podcast has been amazing. Listening to someone with knowledge of the classroom that can articulate issues and solutions has been helpful on the commute to/from school.

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Welcome!

ANGELA WATSON

Founder/Editor-in-Chief

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Welcome!

ANGELA WATSON

Founder/Editor-in-Chief

Join over 92,000 teachers who receive our Sunday night emails, and get inspired + informed for the week ahead. Sign up here:

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We actively look for solutions that make teaching more effective, efficient, enjoyable, and equitable. We seek to help teachers find a sustainable approach to their work in order to maintain their enthusiasm and creativity. We support them in identifying practices that make the best use of class time and help meet the needs of all students, without burning out.

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Truth for Teachers: Real talk from K-12 educators

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Check out our growing collection of articles, podcast episodes, online courses, books, and curriculum resources designed to help educators live a more purpose and conscious life.

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I shared with my candidate how I attend the gym 2-3 times a week to alleviate stress. She decided to take walks during the week to help her with her stress.

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A teacher podcast that has help both my candidate and me is The Autism Helper Podcast. A podcast from a BCBA that gives different strategies to work with students with autism and with other behavior issues.

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This is a great resource to guide teachers in preparing students for the future. The article list strategies on the use of technology, teaching students how to plan and think, as well as stressing the importance of teachers and students being life long learners.

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I shared my workout program with both of my candidates. Workout buddies are the best!!!

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I shared my workout program with both of my candidates. Workout buddies are the best!!!

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Reflecting on our own thoughts and practices as well as those of others is a great way to make improvements. We can learn from ourselves just as much as we can from others and sometimes we can take away something even more valuable.

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Reflection is a very important part of teaching. I shared with my candidate how helpful reflection can be in order to make improvements for students, curriculum, behavior, and even self care. This can be done each day at the end of the day to help improve things the next day. It could also be done in more depth at the end of the year to make changes to the following year. Overall, this is an important skill to learn and do often in the teaching world. It could really benefical for all.

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As a coach, I've often had conversations with my candidates where it seems they simply need "permission" to take some risks or try something that may be outside perceived expectations.  This article offers several suggestions that a veteran teacher would probably see as obvious choices for end of the year activities, but the newbie might not.

https://www.teachhub.com/classroom-activities/2013/05/top-12-effective-end-of-the-year-activities/

Two suggestions from the article that my teammate and I literally started planning this week embrace the following:
"Teach that fun unit you never have time for." and "Go outside."

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Ah, the end of the year. Everyone's tired and losing focus. Some tests are behind you (state tests, AP exams), some may be ahead of you, and probably no one - you or your students - is really at their best. So what's a teacher to do? Choose a goal to make the last month of school an effective one. Here are some time-honored end-of-the-year activities.

Goal: Review What We've Learned

Let the kids teach the class.

Split the class into groups and assign each a specific topic you studied this year. Give them time to go over their topic and invent a good review activity, which they have to grade. You assess them on whether they get their facts straight and how effective their review activity is.

Have students write a children's book.

When writing for younger children, your students will have to really simplify and emphasize the key elements of your course. This can serve as a great review and a fun way to integrate art into the curriculum. Students might write the children's version of a Shakespeare play, a young readers' version of the history of Ancient Egypt, or a picture book that illustrates the cycle of life.

Host a talk show or "expert" symposium.

Imagine an Oprah-style show on bullying or school violence as a way to discuss The Chocolate War. Or a discussion on "Great 20 th-Century Achievements in Science," featuring Albert Einstein, Neil Armstrong, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Stephen Hawking - all portrayed by students. Put students in groups and have them research their topic, write a script on it, and present their show to the class.

End-of-the-Year Activities: Reflect on the Year's Experience

Create a class scrapbook.

Let each student make a page. Offer some prompts (My favorite book we read.../The best experiment we did in chemistry.../One thing I learned about myself...) and encourage students to include favorite class memories. Supplement with photos of students, the classroom, or class activities. Make a copy of the scrapbook for every student, or make a digital scrapbook students can access online.

Have students write letters to themselves.

Ask your students to write themselves a letter, reviewing the year and making "resolutions" for the next school year. Give them some prompts to write about: one thing they are proud of from this year, one thing they would like to do differently next year, one thing they want to remember, and so on. You can either mail these letters to your students just before the start of the next school year, or make arrangements with their next teachers to distribute the letters at the start of school.

Ask students to write letters to your future students.

Have your current students write letters of advice for the new students you will teach next year. What advice would they give on how to "survive" or do well in your classroom? What are the hardest parts of the course? If you have any special traditions or "surprise" activities you don't want students to spoil, make sure to tell them ahead of time.

Create a portfolio or profile for each student.

Work together with your students to develop an individual profile that highlights their work from this year. Depending on the level of your students, this may include samples of work, a self-evaluation, and a written teacher evaluation. If possible, make two copies - one for students to show their parents and a second copy for the student's next teacher. Keep in mind: this activity works best when it relies on student work and self-assessment more than teacher comments. You can also have them create a digital portfolio.

Invite students to evaluate the course.

For older students, evaluating the course can be valuable on many levels. They may surprise you with their assessments of their own contributions and may have some good suggestions for ways to revise the course. Even better, you're providing a good model for them, showing everyone can benefit from constructive feedback and all of us have things to learn.

Goal: Do Something Educational But Not Too Stressful

Teach that fun unit you never have time for.

Most teachers have fun units or activities they can never find time for. Why not do it now? Food math, logic puzzles, Mythbuster-style experiments, or lessons on advertising or political cartoons - these are legitimate educational activities with a high "fun factor" that will make it easier to maintain student engagement and motivation.

Go outside.

As the weather warms up, find a way to teach outside. Students can explore nature using math or science skills or write a poem about the weather. Got an activity that is messy or noisy? Doing it on the field is a great way to enjoy spring.

Put a new twist on skill drills.

Every teacher has skills or content they want students to practice - reading, writing, learning the Periodic Table, or memorizing the Pythagorean Theorem. Choose a specific skill and make it the focus of your lessons. Have a reading fair, declare Grammar Week, or hold a math theorem memorization contest.

Find a fun way to practice these skills - if your students need to improve their reading skills, can you allow them to read Sports Illustrated or X-Box: the Magazine? If they need more time on writing, have them write profiles of their favorite TV stars or even write their own autobiographies. Practice is easier than learning new material but still a valid way to spend class time.

Do some good for the world.

Take this time to get involved with a cause that is meaningful to you or your students. Students can write letters to government leaders, organize fundraisers, or create pamphlets or flyers addressing a particular issue. You can build off world events, tackle an issue you read about during the year, or just ask students what issues matter to them.

Unsure of what your students can do? Why not have them research ways that people their age can make a difference? Create a binder or website that lists volunteer activities or causes that welcome the support of younger people. It can be a resource the entire community can benefit from.

It can be hard to keep yourself - and your students - motivated, but with a little effort and planning, the last month could be the most fun, most effective time of the school year!

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Top 12 Effective End-of-the-Year Activities - TeachHUB

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Ah, the end of the year. Everyone's tired and losing focus. Some tests are behind you (state tests, AP exams), some may be ahead of you, and probably no one - you or your students - is really at their best. So what's a teacher to do?

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I had my candidate work with a veteran kindergarten teacher to solve some of her most troublesome classroom management issues.  I have worked in kinder but I have been teaching upper grade for several years.  The veteran teacher was happy to help and her suggestions really helped my candidate.  

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I had my candidate work with a veteran kindergarten teacher to solve some of her most troublesome classroom management issues.  I have worked in kinder but I have been teaching upper grade for several years.  The veteran teacher was happy to help and her suggestions really helped my candidate.  

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Find things that feed your soul and make you happy. Daily devotionals can be very helpful and inspiring.

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https://positivepsychology.com/burnout-prevention/

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Burnout is recognized as a break between what people are and what they have to do, and it is typically experienced as emotional exhaustion or depersonalization (Olson et al., 2019; Kolomitro, Kenny, & Sheffield, 2019).

Its impact is considerable.

Indeed, burnout among physicians, which is twice that of the general public, leads to emotional and physical withdrawal from work and can negatively impact safe, high-quality healthcare for patients (Olson et al., 2019).

The effect of burnout is widespread. The impact of increasing workload, a perceived lack of control, and job insecurity lead to high turnover, reduced productivity, and poor mental health (Kolomitro et al., 2019).

This article explores the warning signs of burnout in the workplace and what we can do to prevent it.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Stress & Burnout Prevention Exercises (PDF) for free. These science-based exercises will equip you and those you work with, with tools to manage stress better and find a healthier balance in your life.

14 Warning Signs of Workplace Burnout

In increasingly busy, high-pressure working environments, employees often become the shock absorbers, taking organizational strain and working longer, more frantic hours (Kolomitro et al., 2019).

The long-term impact is burnout, identified by "lower psychological and physical wellbeing, as well as dissatisfaction, and employee turnover" (Kolomitro et al., 2019).

"Burnout occurs when an individual experiences too much stress for a prolonged period," writes researcher Susan Bruce (2009). The employee is left feeling mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. Not only that, they are less productive at work, show reduced concern for others, and are more likely to miss work (Bruce, 2009).

Its effects are not only felt by the individual. In education, for example, burned-out teachers can negatively impact their students' education (Bruce, 2009).

Organizations with burned-out staff experience low productivity, lost working days, lower profits, reduced talent, and even damage to their corporate reputation (Bruce, 2009).
So how do we recognize the warning signs of burnout?
Once we can spot early predictors and signs of burnout, we can take action.

Writing for the Harvard Business Review, Elizabeth Grace Saunders (2021) describes how, without realizing and on the verge of burnout, she was "perpetually exhausted, annoyed, and feeling unaccomplished and unappreciated."

There are many early predictors, indicators, and manifestations of stress that contribute to burnout.

The following factors are recognized as early predictors of burnout (Maslach & Leiter, 2008):

Job demands that exceed human limits.

Role conflict leading to a perceived lack of control; being under pressure from several, often incompatible, demands that compete with one another.

Insufficient reward and lack of recognition for the work performed, devaluing both the work and the worker.

Lack of support from the manager or team, consistently associated with exhaustion.

Work perceived as unfair or inequitable, caused by an effort-reward imbalance.

Relationship between the individual and the environment leading to feelings of imbalance or a bad fit. Such incongruity connects with excessive job demands and unfairness at work.

The following feelings, physical complaints, and thought patterns accompany stress and manifest in the workplace (Bruce, 2009):

Feelings:
Tired, irritable, distracted, inadequate, and incompetent.

Physical:
Muscular aches and body pain, headaches, increased or reduced appetite, weight change, and nausea.

Emotional:
Feeling trapped, hopeless, and depressed.

Mental:
Poor concentration, muddled thinking, and indecisiveness.

Stress in the workplace can manifest as:

Regularly arriving late to work

Absenteeism

Reduced goals, aspirations, and commitment

Increased cynicism and apathy

Poor treatment of others

Relationship difficulties

Increase in smoking and alcohol consumption

Making careless mistakes

Obstructive and uncooperative behavior

Overspending

While burnout is unique for every individual, it can be spotted and avoided.

8 Strategies to Prevent Employee Burnout

Research into burnout in the workplace recognizes employee wellbeing through four dimensions (Hyett & Parker, 2015):

Work satisfaction

Organizational respect

Employer care

Work-life integration

Balancing all four factors is essential to overall employee wellbeing and reduces the likelihood of long-term and ultimately overwhelming pressure.

The following strategies can help find that balance and protect against burnout (Saunders, 2021; Boyes, 2021).

Workload

When workload and capacity are in balance, it is possible to get work done and find time for professional growth, development, rest, and work recovery.

Assess how you are doing in each of the following activities:

Saying no.
Sayingno is necessary when you have too much work or someone else could perform it.

Letting go of perfectionism.
Sometimes producing a perfect piece of work is not required; sometimes,good enough is all that is needed.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of burnout, try to focus on each of the above actions. Proactive effort to reduce workload can be highly effective at removing some stressors impacting burnout.

Control

Feeling out of control, a lack of autonomy, and inadequate resources impact your ability to succeed at what you are doing and contribute to burnout.
Do you get calls from your boss or answer emails late into the night or over the weekend?
Consider how you can regain control. Agree on a timetable for when you are available and what resources you need to do your job well. Gaining a sense of control over your environment can increase your sense of autonomy.

Community

Community is essential to feeling supported. While you may not be able to choose who you work with, you can invest time and energy in strengthening the bonds you share with your coworkers and boss.

Positive group morale, where you can rely on one other, can make the team more robust and reduce the likelihood of burnout.

Fairness

A sense of fairness at work can be helped by feeling valued and recognized for the contributions you make.

Let it be known that you would like to be mentioned as a contributor or become involved in presenting some of the team's successes.

Value mismatch

"Burnout isn't simply about being tired," writes Saunders (2021). When your values cannot align with those of your organization, you may need to consider whether it is time to look for new opportunities.

Determine if you can find compatibility in your current position or whether another organization might be better suited to your values.

Task balancing

After delivering something highly demanding (cognitively, emotionally, or physically), it may be beneficial to switch to a less complex task.

Swapping between tasks of varying difficulty on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis can be an excellent way to regain balance and give yourself a break.

After putting together a complex report, presentation, or analysis, why not plan the rest of your week for organizing emails into folders?

Mental breaks

We sometimes feel unable to stop. We check emails while in line for a coffee and type up notes on the flight back from a business meeting. While it can seem essential when you are busy to keep pushing ahead, it is vital to take breaks. Use spare time to read a book, listen to music, talk to a friend, or run through breathing exercises.

Taking time out for yourself is crucial to your wellbeing and will ultimately benefit your performance.

Physical breaks

Stress and tension take their toll physically. You may notice tight shoulders or headaches. Learning to recognize times when you are most stressed or anxious can help. When you do, find a moment to take some slow breaths or go for a walk.

Mindfulness techniques can be incredibly helpful in hitting reset and regaining focus.

6 Programs & Initiatives for HR Professionals

While burnout is damaging to the employee, it is also expensive for the business. In the U.S. alone, the cost of absenteeism is $300 billion a year in insurance, reduced productivity, and staff turnover (Peart, 2021).

HR professionals have an essential role to play in reducing the effect and likelihood of burnout within the working environment (Castanheira & Chambel, 2010).

Putting in effective workplace wellness practices can help. For them to be effective, they must be at an organizational level, reducing stress at work, fostering employee wellbeing, and upping employee engagement (Peart, 2021; Chamorro-Premuzic, 2021).

According to clinical psychologist and leadership consultant Natalia Peart (2021), it is possible to create a working environment that reduces stress. To do this, we must build positive, stress-reducing environments that integrate with day-to-day working habits.

Increase psychological safety

Staff must see work as nonthreatening, allowing them to work and collaborate effectively. We can help perceptions of psychological safety by:

Giving staff clear goals

Making sure they feel heard by management

Making work challenging yet nonthreatening

Create a culture where it is okay to fail. Recognize and encourage people who think outside the box.

Regular workday breaks

Our attention and ability to focus are limited. After two hours (or less), our concentration reduces significantly (Peart, 2021), which could make us more likely to make mistakes, become less creative, and lose the ability to solve complex problems.

Staff must be encouraged to take breaks without feeling guilty. It is vital that they take time away from their desk regularly and as needed.

Placing entries in the calendar can help by setting aside time. And leading by example can help reduce stress and create an environment conducive to consistent performance.

Private spaces

While open offices are commonplace, they can be a cause of ongoing distraction.

Create spaces where staff can work uninterrupted and encourage them to turn off email and other messaging services at predefined times.

Set work boundaries

There will be times when working outside core hours may be necessary, but there is still a need to agree on typical workday expectations. Regularly answering emails late in the evening or over the weekend can increase employee anxiety and the sense of never leaving work.

Setting boundaries, flexible working, and providing additional time off can restore work-life balance.

Increase employee engagement

Improving the connection staff feel with their workplace and coworkers can heighten job satisfaction while reducing stress (Peart, 2021).

Engagement can be promoted through a culture of:

Transparency
It is vital to understand how work aligns with corporate goals.

Using strengths and talents
When people use their strengths, they feel more competent and engaged.

Autonomy
Staff are "43% less likely to experience high levels of burnout" when they decide on how and when they complete their work (Peart, 2021).

Recognition
Supporting and recognizing good work reduces stress while promoting a sense of belonging.

Sense of purpose
Feeling a sense of purpose in what we do adds meaning to otherwise tedious tasks. Share the company's goals and communicate their positive effect on the community.

Hire better bosses

Good leaders must be hired or created, shielding employees from stress. However, rather than being seen as a source of calm and inspiration, managers often become the cause of stress. This is especially the case when managers make poor decisions, are abusive, or alienate their staff.

Hiring teams must take more time scrutinizing candidates who apply for leadership roles, identifying their empathy, emotional intelligence, and ability to perform under pressure.

Preventing Burnout When Working From Home

Flexibility in working location brings enormous benefits.

While working from home removes commuting times and can allow us to take our children to school, it may be overshadowed by long working hours and a sense that we never leave work.

"The risk of burnout when working from home is substantial" write Laura Giurge and Vanessa Bohns (2021).

In an environment where the line between work and home life can quickly become blurred, it is crucial to our mental health that we agree upon and implement boundaries.

Even a non-urgent email sent after hours can create a sense of urgency or leave us with the weight of the action on our mind until we log on the next day. Working from home can also cause staff to feel indebted to their employer and mistakenly believe they need to work more intensely for more hours each day.

There are ways to create boundaries when working from home and reduce loneliness and burnout (Giurge & Bohns, 2021; Moss, 2021):

Maintain temporal boundaries.
Create a work schedule that fits your needs and your organization's, such as taking the children to school and stopping for lunch. Respect your own time and that of your colleagues. They may have different schedules for their commitments.

Reducing loneliness.
While working from home can be incredibly beneficial or even necessary, it may become a source of loneliness. Scheduling an in-office day once a month (as long as a time can be agreed upon and works for all remote workers) where staff can get together and have a catch-up can improve bonds between workers while creating a sense of shared goals.

PositivePsychology.com's Relevant Resources

We have many resources that can help with managing stress, overcoming obstacles, and dealing with difficult situations.

17 Stress & Burnout Prevention Exercises
If you're looking for more science-based ways to help others manage stress without spending hours on research and session prep, this collection contains17 validated stress management tools for practitioners. Use them to help others identify signs of burnout and create more balance in their lives.

A Take-Home Message

Humans are curious.

We need a degree of stress to prevent boredom and frustration.

However, too much can lead to poor decision making and ineffective communication, negatively impact mental health, and ultimately cause burnout (Bruce, 2009).

Stress not only takes a toll on our physical and mental wellbeing, but also narrows our outlook, making long-term strategic thinking more difficult (Peart, 2021).

"Burnout is experienced as emotional exhaustion or depersonalization" (Olson et al., 2019) and is the ultimate destination for long-term stress. It can harm physical health, psychological wellbeing, and performance at work (Olson et al., 2019; Maslach & Leiter, 2008).

While unpleasant for the individual, it can also damage the organization, leading to failing performance, absenteeism, and disengagement.

Spotting the early warning signs, positive leadership, and protective and proactive policies can avoid or reduce burnout. A balanced work culture promotes a positive work environment and a growth mindset.

There is a proven link between job satisfaction and mental health, so finding a good balance for stress is vital. Low job satisfaction at work can predict depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety (Bruce, 2009).

Use this article's guidance to recognize dangers or early warning signs in yourself, colleagues, or clients. Then take some steps discussed to help reduce or prevent damaging environments and invest in employees' wellbeing and performance.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don't forget to download our three Stress & Burnout Prevention Exercises (PDF) for free.

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How to Prevent Burnout in the Workplace: 20 Strategies

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Burnout is recognized as a break between what people are and what they have to do, and it is typically experienced as emotional exhaustion or depersonalization (Olson et al., 2019; Kolomitro, Kenny, & Sheffield, 2019). Its impact is considerable.

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Take time out for yourself to unplug!

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This is a daily five minute mindfulness meditation video that I play each time we transition back into the classroom. It is a great Tier 1 intervention / behavior modification strategy, that works for my upper grade students. Enjoy!

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Be the Pond | Mindfulness for Kids | Cosmic Kids Zen Den

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I have recommended this resource to teachers because it makes different expectations amongst various classroom activities clear for students; it's not a panacea, but it removes the ambiguity.

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Streamline procedures, rules, and routines with the C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management plan.

C.H.A.M.P.S ( Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation, S uccess) is a classroom management program that aims to improve student behavior plus strengthen learner engagement through a strategic system of clearly defined expectations.

It supports the idea that learners need to see and practice certain behaviors so that they are active participants in successfully managing their own behaviors.

Consequently, the program frames procedures, routines, and rules in a way that is digestible for students, empowering them to make good behavioral choices.

This article shares 4 great examples of the C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management plan in action.

C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management

Think of C.H.A.M.P.S as a rubric consisting of criteria with descriptors.

The C.H.A.M.P.S acronym represents the criteria, and the descriptors reflect the expectations that you've set within each criteria.

While the criteria doesn't change, the descriptors vary based on the task and/or the location of the activity.

In a sense, you're creating a type of "lesson plan" for each activity, with clearly defined guidelines that learners should follow in order to produce a successful outcome.
Criteria for C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management
C = Conversation (How will students engage with each other during the activity?)

H = Help (What's the process for seeking assistance or support?)

A = Activity (What type of learning structure or format is it?)

M = Movement (Are learners permitted to move about the classroom?)

P = Participation (Which behaviors demonstrate active learning?)

S = Success (Are students successful with their behavior for this task?)
Descriptors for C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management
The number and type of descriptors you decide to use depend on the activity or task. Examples follow.

C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management Examples

See ideas for running your classroom like a well-oiled machine.

Example 1: Literacy Centers

C = Conversation - Speak with your partner if needed.

H = Help - Seek help from your partner or group.

A = Activity - You may work independently or with a partner.

M = Movement - Remain seated in your designated "Centers" area.

P = Participation - You should be reading, writing, and on-task.

S = Success - Yes! Let's reach success!

Example 2: Transitioning from One Activity to Another

C = Conversation - Silence

H = Help - Help Sign or Signal

A = Activity - Transition

M = Movement - Light Movement

P = Participation - On-task

S = Success - Yes! Let's reach success!

Example 3: Attending a School Assembly

C = Conversation - Remain silent unless you're prompted to engage.

H = Help - Seek the teacher if you need assistance.

A = Activity - Whole Group

M = Movement - Stay seated, but show hand signal for assistance if needed

P = Participation - Listen attentively and/or show active engagement.

S = Success - Yes! Let's reach success!

Example 4: Conducting Science Experiment

C = Conversation - Group Discussion

H = Help - Ask 3 peers in your group before seeking teacher for help.

A = Activity - Small Group

M = Movement - Light movement required to retrieve/return supplies

P = Participation - Discuss important science-related matters with group, take notes, and stay on-task.

S = Success - Yes! Let's reach success!

To view detailed examples of C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management for various routines and procedures, check out these lesson plan samples.

CHAMPS Classroom Management Printables & Templates

Create C.H.A.M.P.S posters or a bulletin board that you can refer to when describing guidelines for each activity or task. Post information in a visual place.

See C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management Pinterest board for ideas on presenting information visually to students.

C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management Frequently Asked Questions
For Which Routines/Procedures Should I Use C.H.A.M.P.S?
Use C.H.A.M.P.S classroom management for most classroom and school routines plus procedures.

Suggestions...

Collaborating with a group

Managing supplies in desks, backpacks, or cubbies

Requesting/going to bathroom

Sharing in class party festivities

Transitions between classes and activities

Using playground equipment

Waiting in after-school dismissal areas (e.g. carpool, bus, etc.)
When Do I Start?
Ideally, begin implementing the C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management system at the beginning of the school year.

Make it part of your first day of school checklist. If for some reason you're not able to begin during back-to-school time, start when you're able.
What Consequences Do I Give?
What happens when learners don't follow through with expectations?

The key is to be proactive with a set of positive reinforcements such as agreeable eye contact, a compliment, a smile, a reassuring nod, etc.

For consequences, the types you use depend on your school's expectations plus the needs of students. Be sure consequences...

Refrain from physical contact.

Correlate with the misbehavior.

Maintain a student's dignity.

Remain mild instead of harsh.

Wrapping Up: C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management System

The C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management program promotes positive behaviors using clear and direct communication.

Whether you teach first grade or beyond, implementing a system of CHAMPS classroom expectations works.

It's a great complement to any behavior framework.

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4 Excellent C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management Examples

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Streamline procedures, rules, and routines with the C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management plan. C.H.A.M.P.S ( Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation, S uccess) is a classroom management program that aims to improve student behavior plus strengthen learner engagement through a strategic system of clearly defined expectations.

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Creating a time and space to decompress is extremely helpful in needing rejuvenation. I shared the Breathwrk app with my candidates. This app gives guided visuals while you do a breathing practice. Breathwrk is amazing, especially when you are on a schedule. You can do breathing exercises as short as one minute!

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From my first year in a self-contained classroom, I started my "Next Year Won't Be Crazy" list. I'll be honest, it's never made the next year not crazy, but it has given me a peace and springboard to prepare for the upcoming year. Having a plan, even when the plan falls apart, has helped me to feel both empowered and at peace when the craziness comes.

When we went to distance learning, I transitioned my list from pencil/paper to a digital Jamboard so I could share it with my grade-level team. Please feel free to make a copy and make it your own!

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Students will get an end of the year survey where they can give me feedback about my teaching and how I can do better for next year. I also have the students reflect how much mathematical growth they have done from the beginning of year to now.

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This a great article reminding us not to be so hard on ourselves. Enjoy the practice and embrace change, failures, authenticity, developing relationships, flexibility and adjusting our lesson plans because all students are unique and different.

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Dear Brand-New Teacher: A Letter to Rookies - We Are Teachers

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Nothing about teaching is one-size fits all. Every student different. Every teacher is different. Every school is different. Each grade level is different.

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As the end of the year approaches, it is important to reflect on what worked in the classroom and what practices/curriculum needs improvement. My advice to my mentee would be to highlight a practice they implemented well and a practice they want to improve upon. While there might be a quite a few things they want to "fix" or "try", just focus on 1 or 2 practices/items.

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Whatever the status, coach or candidate, rumble with honesty. Does curiosity lead you to consider a profession outside of the classroom, outside of education? There are no superheroes and no martyrs. Give space to your truth, your context, and your why.

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One thing I often repeat to my candidates is "You have to remember that they are doing 'this behavior', but they are not doing it TO you. The students who are acting out are just acting out. They are not acting out because of you or towards you in particular. If they are not doing their work, it is not to spite you. They are just not doing the work. Once you remove the emotion, you can some up with a solution for the problem."

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I wrote this blog post a few years ago, and I revisit it, because I am STILL working on reflecting on successes. I want to encourage all new teachers to stop and see how far they have come and not the seemingly endless miles ahead. Celebrate your victories. I promise they exist, even in the most challenging circumstances.

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I want to give a gratitude shout out for Wellness Wednesdays! Self-care and mindfulness is so important to educators so that they can recharge and be energized for the students, parents, community, and lessons they interact with daily. I didn't realize how much I needed it as well as my Candidates until after the first Wellness presentation. Quite the blessing!

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Cult of Pedagogy is a great podcast, especially for secondary teachers wanting to try new curriculum, approach teaching through a new lens, or just to hear what other teachers are doing and talking about.

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Both my candidates used data to reflect on their teaching strategies. This has helped us in our work and we have a great visual in how  we are conveing the information we want to teach. Because of the data gathered this year, we can adapt our teaching strategies to make better lesson plans.

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I love to have the students complete a survey or reflective piece giving feedback for activities and learning opportunities throughout the year.  I also have them write a letter to the incoming students giving them advice and welcoming them with any tips or tricks.

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This is a resource for fun math activities that answer the question "how am I going to use this". Useful for finding ways to break up the monotony of direct instruction.

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Self-Care strategies can help us get us out of the feeling of stagnation/emptiness. This article discusses how "languishing" is a characteristic of disillusionment. Although the article focuses on the health care sector, there are many strategies applicable to educators. In many regards, health care providers and educators have many areas of overlap. Enjoy!

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University of Pennsylvania The heavy mist seems to cling to everything. Walking through the haze makes any forward motion feel like a fruitless effort.
Any of this sound familiar? It may be because you're languishing-a feeling of stagnation or emptiness. And naming it is a first important step, Penn's Adam Grant, a professor of Management with the Wharton School, explained in a New York Times article. Once you can identify languishing, it can help bring clarity to one's experiences.

Furthermore, charting our collective response to a disaster such as a global pandemic allows us to recognize where we are and how we can move forward. The American Psychiatric Association has identified emotional phases of disasters to understand how communities of people react over time.

A disaster event is followed by the heroic phase, where people come together-that lasts for a short time during the honeymoon period. This is followed shortly by disillusionment when reality sets in over what is actually happening and what it will take to recover. Languishing can occur during this period of disillusionment and recovery. Over time, recovery and reconstruction occur.

"When we talk about the amount of people who are languishing, we are talking about people who are not reaching their full potential," said Lisa Bellini, MD, MACP, senior vice dean for Academic Affairs and a professor of Medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Particularly for those who work in health care, how does one move out of the fog and keep the momentum going? Bellini believes that self-care-something that you can control-is one of the keys to de-fogging. Giving people adequate time and space to focus on themselves is also necessary.
Giving labels a makeover
Turning the tables on the way we reference and phrase things will also help you take a more positive spin on things. Words have great power in telling us how to feel. If the phrase "burnout" makes you feel even more burnt out, it's time for an overhaul.

"Some organizations are beginning to rethink the meaning of paid time off to be more inclusive of wellness needs. "Taking the time to get your annual wellness checkup, teeth cleaning, a support session, or just enjoying a walk in the park in the middle of the day will do wonders for your mental health."

Bellini believes that the secret sauce to move beyond a languishing phase is engagement. Especially for those in health care, she says it's critical that people know that organizations are investing in them as people. For example, career development gives people an opportunity to engage in a meaningful way, Bellini explained.

"Encouraging people to develop or enhance their skills and giving them the tools and time to grow professionally will make a significant difference."

Specifically at Penn Medicine, there are a bevy of tools, programs, and offerings that have been customized for a variety of audiences at every level of the organization to engage staff. The key to engagement is helping people make the connections to the exact content they need.

One Penn Medicine program that gained traction over the last few years is Lunch with Leaders, a recurring live, virtual program with leaders across the organization that taps into topical issues and current trends related to leadership development, talent management, and key priorities for the health system.

"Lunch with Leaders was born out of a need to have people connect in a real and meaningful way during the early days of the pandemic," said Cindy Morgan, vice president of Organization Development and Learning. "It's been a real touchstone in providing a sense of community and belonging, allowing the audience to interact with the guest speakers, sourcing best practices from their peers, and having a little fun along the way."

A recent Lunch with Leaders explored the topic of "authentic resilience" and featured Michael D. Feldman, MD, Ph.D., vice chair of Pathology, Clinical Services, and Gretchen Schmelzer, Ph.D., an executive coach and consultant with Teleos Leadership Institute, who engaged with Morgan in an honest conversation about exhaustion and the reset and repair that's necessary for self-care and collective wellbeing.

Once you can identify languishing, it can help bring clarity to one's experiences. Image is in the public domain

Flipping the script on how COVID-19 has made an impact, Feldman explained that the pandemic has enabled those in health care to stretch in different ways. For example, it has pushed Penn Medicine to rethink what the future looks like-opening opportunities for consistency, creating pathways for innovation, and taking a more holistic approach to advance patient care, education, and research.

Schmelzer took a similar position and recommended we turn our attention to "look for what's growing." Growth can be an incremental progress in just about any aspect of life. Focusing on those things can provide encouragement and motivation to take that next step.

One initiative focused on professional growth that took off during the pandemic is the Penn Medicine Book Club. Hosted by University of Pennsylvania Health System CEO Kevin B. Mahoney, the book club is open to the Penn Medicine community and features in-depth discussions with Penn professors about topics related to their recent books. In fact, Wharton's Adam Grant was a recent book club guest who generated a lot of enthusiasm about his book "Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know."
Reignite your drive to thrive
The phrase "hope springs eternal" is more poignant than ever as we emerge from the omicron surge and the seasons are about to begin another transition. "The shift from winter to spring is going to be a welcome change," said Bellini. "Longer and warmer days and more sunlight will help clear some of that fog."

As the fog lifts, Bellini advised setting small, realistic goals to make things more manageable. In a professional setting, collaborating with colleagues and nurturing those relationships will yield a more productive work environment and successful outcomes.

"There's tremendous cohesion in working together to navigate the way forward safely and productively," said Bellini.

About this psychology research news

Author: Press Office
Source: University of Pennsylvania
Contact: Press Office - University of Pennsylvania
Image: The image is in the public domain

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Feeling Foggy? Your Head Is in the Clouds for a Reason - Neuroscience News

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University of Pennsylvania The heavy mist seems to cling to everything. Walking through the haze makes any forward motion feel like a fruitless effort. Any of this sound familiar? It may be because you're languishing-a feeling of stagnation or emptiness.

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I find it very valuable to look back at the year and highlight the positives and think about what could have gone better. A teacher grows a lot after the first year, and there should be a lot of adjustments in teaching style, structure, management, procedures, interaction with students, expectations, and so on. This is a perfect time to think about the year before going into summer break.

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End of Year Reflection for Teachers - Teaching with Jennifer Findley

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End of year reflection for teachers is key for making changes and celebrating the positives. This post shares ideas for reflecting on the end of the year.

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This is a resource I shared with my candidate to help with ideas when working with individual students.

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PBIS World | A Complete Tier 1 Through Tier 3 Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports System

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PBIS World is in no way affiliated, associated, or connected with any other website, entity, organization, or federal, state, local, or other government agency, department, program, policy, organization, or initiative.

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I think it is important to talk about this with new teachers so they are ready for it. THey are not doing anything wrong.. everyone goes through this.. I loved the TED LASSO article.. it resonated with me and found it to be very motivating!

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I always find that linking up with a core group of peers to vent and relax is helpful. Its easier to get through the frustrations and feel rejuvenated when they already understand the setting and players in the stories. Rejuvenating together is key!

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Monthly Suggestions for Supporting New Teachers:

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Monthly Suggestions for Supporting New Teachers:

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The Heart of a Teacher: 6 Ways to Refresh, Refocus and Rejuvenate

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The Heart of a Teacher: 6 Ways to Refresh, Refocus and Rejuvenate

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Refocus on your purpose: My candidates have displayed signs of distress in multiple entities - teacher evaluations, IEP meetings & Paperwork, and testing. by proving them with this resource, I can work together to find refocus and engage in their best qualities. I too need to focus on this area so it will be a great stepping stone to finish the year strong!

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Setting boundaries for your time is so important. I wish I had learned this earlier in my career as a teacher. You can't be everything to everyone all the time. Saying no to some things and not answering emails or parent messages after a certain time or on weekends is something new teachers need to be supported on.

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This is an excellent resource...Something for everyone and most challenges.

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Unlock hundreds of mood-boosting meditations, relaxing sleep exercises, focus music, and more with our biggest offer of the year.

It's the healthiest, happiest deal you'll find this Black Friday, and it won't last long.

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Meditation and Sleep Made Simple - Headspace

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Live a healthier, happier, more well-rested life in just a few minutes a day with the Headspace app.

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I focus on granting grace to myself and others for survival in these trying times. Never assume that people are coming from a negative space. I have found that focusing on giving people grace has improved my attitude towards everything over the past few years. The second step in this is extending it to yourself which is much more difficult. Finally - being able to ask for grace for yourself from other people is super powerful once you are bold enough to voice your needs.

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We're all going through it: students, teachers, admin.

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48 Pieces of Advice From Educators on How to Survive This Challenging Time (Published 2021)

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“You’re not OK. I’m not OK. But that’s OK.”

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Loved the article "Work-life Balance Tips for Teachers" They had some very simple solutions to go by when we get stressed and frazzled in life! Definitely need to find a balance!

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sometimes rejuvenation is the ability to say NO!  I was never taught that as a new teacher, and I paid dearly with my health.  One of the things I stress to may teachers is the art of making sure you do not take too much on, and to strike a balance.  

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sometimes rejuvenation is the ability to say NO!  I was never taught that as a new teacher, and I paid dearly with my health.  One of the things I stress to may teachers is the art of making sure you do not take too much on, and to strike a balance.  

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The article Why Teacher Reflection is an Educator's End-of-Year Secret Weapon? has great reflective questions that help a teacher look at where they started with their students and themselves and where a teacher and students are now.

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Self care is important.   Educators give so much to their students and not enough time to themselves.  A calm relaxed educator can provide a productive learning environment for students.

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I found the artilce "A simple tool to Help Teachers Regulate their Emotions" to be a great suggestion for helping my candidate who is struggling with students who are showing him disrespect. I will use the suggested chart to help him discuss his emotions and work on his reactions towards his students.

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The article included activities we have done in the past and some new ones; however, with the year coaches have had subbing instead of coaching I might postpone or adapt some of these reflective questions.

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I really like this list of questions for teachers to reflect on to get ready for their next year. I also like how it helps you set goals for the next year as well.

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If you're anything like most teachers, then you are in constant catch-up mode. A teacher's work is never done - there is always more to do. And never enough time to do it all. That's why taking the time to ask yourself revealing teacher reflection questions is often overlooked.

But putting aside a little time to reflect on past school years so that you can adjust and make changes in the future can be a lifesaver.

That's why I created this Teacher Reflection and and Goal Setting for a Less Stressful School Year Resource. It walks you through a process to help you identify what's taking up time and causing you stress. Then, it helps you create a plan and goals that will minimize your frustrations and help you use your time more wisely.

You don't need this resource to ask yourself to ask yourself these teacher reflection questions, though! Walk through the questions and steps below to think about changes you might like to make in your classroom.

Teacher Reflection Questions

Read through the questions below, and then use them to help you do a "brain dump" - write down everything that comes to mind about this past school year.

Don't be too practical during this time - just let out all of your emotions, both the good and the bad. Sometimes simply writing down your frustrations can be cathartic.

What are you most proud of from last school year?

What are you most embarrassed by?

What made you laugh?

What made you cry?

What drained you and weighed you down?

What did spend too much time on?

What did you spend too little time on?

What classroom procedures were a constant annoyance to you?

What time of day was the most frustrating to you?

What annoyed you most about your students or your school day?

How did teaching affect your home life?

What happened during your favorite day of the school year?

What happened on your least favorite day of the school year?

What was constantly in the back of your mind, bugging you?

What area of your classroom caused the most problems with students?

Reflection Questions Geared Towards Goal Setting

Now that you've let out all your frustrations, it's time to think about the things you want to change.

You can't change everything, so focus on the things that really weighed you down, frustrated you, or annoyed you last year.

However, a new plan shouldn't make your life more complicated! As you think about making changes for next year, consider these questions:

Will this be easy to maintain?

Will setting up a teacher morning routine or leaving the classroom routine help with this?

Can I get a parent or student to help me with this?

What procedures or systems can I set in place to help out with this?

Will this make me happier or more stressed out?

If I spend time on this, what other task will I have to let go of?

Is this really that important?

Who does this really well that might be able to help or offer advice?

Will this have a big impact, or should I focus on something else?

Is there an easy change I can make to solve this frustration?

After considering these questions, take the time to write out 2 or 3 things you would like to change. Be specific - what will you change? What steps will you need to take? Write it all out.

Just taking the time to answer some of these teacher reflection questions should help you come up with goals for a less stressful school year. However, walking through this more in depth process with my Teacher Reflection and Goal Setting for a Less Stressful School Year Resource will offer a lot more clarity and help you prioritize what is most important.

Never Stress Over Sub Plans Again!
Make copies, find a fiction book, and you'll be ready for any emergency that comes your way!

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25 Teacher Reflection Questions for a Better Year

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If you're anything like most teachers, then you are in constant catch-up mode. A teacher's work is never done - there is always more to do. And never enough time to do it all. That's why taking the time to ask yourself revealing teacher reflection questions is often overlooked.

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It's easy to get bogged down and overwhelmed in the everyday hassles and problems. When I step back and look at the big picture of my year, I can recognize the progress and small successes my students have made. It's always more than I thought it would be!

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This past year we have worked so hard to implement SEL checkin activities for our scholars to make sure they are doing ok which is unbelievably important. But I think it is equally important for our teachers (especially new teachers) to label and understand their own emotions. Teaching can be a very emotional profession so being able to control your own emotions can be very helpful.

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Yoga For Complete Beginners - 20 Minute Home Yoga Workout!

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Yoga To Feel Your Best  |  Yoga With Adriene

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Forest is an app helping you stay away from your smartphone and stay focused on your work.

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I am working with candidates who are still doing distance learning. One problem with online teaching is that the teacher feels alone...this can result in the teacher just talking the entire time to avoid the discomfort of silence. I have invited my candidates to adopt the see, say, do strategy. While doing so, I encourage them to embrace the awkward silence. Wait time is important.

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I think under so much stress piled with daily life, we often forget that we as teachers also need to have a growth mindset just as we teach our students.

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Developing a Growth Mindset in Teachers and Staff

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Developing a Growth Mindset in Teachers and Staff

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I found the wheel of emotions very interesting. It was enlightening to see the balance and counter emotions. I would like to present this to my candidate and do an exploration activity.

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Balancing work and Personal Well - Being

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Balancing work and Personal Well - Being

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My candidates have all expressed feeling overwhelmed and not taking the time to do the things outside of work that bring them joy. It is so important to remember to find balance in your life, no matter how much you love your calling as an educator, you will become a better one by stepping away for the other things in your life.

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Taking some time to reconnect with self by taking a day for self-care to ensure my candidate feels a sense of rejuvenation.