TBCS - Helping Each Other Out - Judy-Anne

One of the girls from Room 4 was looking particularly unhappy yesterday so I suggested to Steve she might need some Room 1 time. (Knowing that there has been a big change in their home life lately and Mum is currently sick)
She came down soon after cross country training and stayed on the sidelines a little. Then she was quite happy to come over and make her own Mothers Day card. She went out to break quite happily, stayed with her class during the next session for her times tables work and writing then joined us again after lunch. She did a lovely job of supporting the Room 1 children with their playing and chatted nicely about who she could talk to about what is currently upsetting her. She has already spoken to an outside provider and decided she is quite happy to talk with Steve. Hopefully they have done that today when Steve had some time available.

This is quite a long winded way of saying that we all tend to have an idea of when things are going a bit pear shaped for our students, even when they are not students in our class. No-one ever needs to feel that they have to deal with difficulties by themselves.

Hopefully this increases her well being because she knows more people are there for her but also increases our well being as we know we have others there to support us too.


Standard 4- Learning-focused culture
Manage the learning setting to ensure access to learning for all and to maximise learners’ physical, social, cultural and emotional safety.

• Fostering tuakana/tēina relationships.

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 - Week 3

Having started the year being really pleases with how little work I felt I had to do 'after hours' I ended last week feeling quite overwhelmed by how much I still had to do. While keeping on top of basic planning and marking was attainable the displays, readings, learner support register and meetings with various agencies, BOT and Meet the Teacher expectations were quite stressful.

I am thankful that Steve is a thoughtful principal, considering the wellbeing of his staff. He organised a release day for Craig then suggested that we could use the reliever in both rooms. This gave me a chance to finally meet with Craig to have him comfortable with his reading planning as well as meet with Mel so I could feel more comfortable with my preschool playdate planning.

I realise this is a profession where there is always more which could be done, more to learn or a better way to do things. I am obviously slow to learn but there are some strategies which are helping already and I have more to work on.

• set a time limit for leaving school, in general we are working on leaving by 5pm
• do important stuff first
• do a little often
• ask for time / help
• set a time limit on problem solving- thanks for this idea Rob
• delegate- it was good to look at our staff responsibilities, reassign and redefine for the year. I am good at saying yes and taking responsibility for things that aren't my responsibility
• using the expertise of others- ie ask for help!
• use the repeat function on the calendar- so much quicker than having to cut and paste repeating items. Set and forget or spray and walk away!