TBCS - Teacher Wellbeing - Judy-Anne

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/teachers-mental-health-anxiety-panic-attacks-insomnia-education-a8592551.html

So once again we got to the end of the first day of term and all realised we were behind already.

I recall an ERO visit when I was at a previous school where the Deputy Principal  commented as we took our paperwork over to their office space that this was the first time she had been up to date with her paperwork in 30 years!

Why do we do this to ourselves? How do we stop?

Some people seem to have developed a good system for themselves, working set hours and not taking work home except around report time. But others are posting on facebook, whether it be showing what they have been doing or asking for help with some curriculum area or behavioural issue,  at all hours of the day and night,  "non contact- holidays" or not.

I liked the idea discussed at a recent NZSTA training where one board is looking after the well being of their teachers as they realise that that ultimately affects the well being of their children.

I have tried many different ideas over the years so maybe it is time to write some down and post some results so I know what works best for me.


Ideas:
. Set hours for work - tricky when we are carpooling and I want to take chances to spend time with Danni when it is available. Maybe it just means putting a limit on hours worked in a week.
. Massage - love this one so need to try and find somebody I like and ensure money is put aside for this
. Craft
. Reading
. Gardening
. Coffee- not relaxing for me, but maybe make time for an alternative eg hot chocolate, iced coffee, at someplace nice
. Follow relaxation tips from the relaxation/ massage therapist we visited in Wellington.
. Accept that some things won't get done
. Make a 'done' list instead of a to do list
.Set realistic expectations, both for myself and others
. Delegate
. Do the less desirable tasks first


Teacher Inquiry:

How can I spark more energy and joy?

Start with registereing for Outdoor classroom day November 1 2018?


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Reflection - Judy-Anne - Time management

As the term ticks by I once again feel I am getting further behind. Am I doing something wrong in terms of prioritising my work or are the expectations too high? Maybe it is a mixture of both. It definitely does become the tyranny of the urgent! How much paperwork is necessary- do I need to put info about reading only in the reading plans for instance or should it go in the planner as well? Can I use Teacher Aide support more effectively?

Action plan:
 Trial having planner open on desk each day and write notes directly in. This might also help me note changes to the timetable! Because we have such a routine I don't tend to note the changes on paper, just in my head.


Action plan:
Use release days to prioritise setting up systems which take time to organise but will save me time once they are set up! eg ensure Andrea and Mel can access learner support information and their reports can be filed there and our discussions can be more effective, get IEPs set up in conjunction with learner support register and set reminders for when these need updating. Does the calendar need another colour for Learner Support stuff?

We had a fantastic preschool playdate on Friday with Oasis Motueka. They were a great bunch of children and teachers/ parents and coped really well in the school environment. One girl even climbed our fort even though she has never played on the smaller one at preschool. Her teacher was delighted.
This afternoon we worked on an abstract self portrait following videoed instructions. I joined in with the children doing my designing and colouring at the same time.
Both of these things helped to remind me that sometimes it is more important for us to stop, join in and talk than it is to be constantly teaching the next thing. The taking time bit is when our relationships are strengthened and we find all sorts of odd things out about our families.

It is also very Biblical to rest and to develop relationships.

Action step:
Join in with the kids play. Encourage their play. Continue to look into play based learning- what can we do more effectively?