Reaching the summer holidays in one piece
Some teachers see the final summer term as the downward slope of the school year. It's getting a bit easier with exam classes now absent, and student residentials and trips to look forward to.
On the other hand, it's the hump in the way of the summer holidays; one final hurdle before the sunny jewel of the school year arrives.
Either way you look at it, this term is a fantastic opportunity to practise some of the teacher boundaries you may have been struggling to implement in the past.
Here are a couple of ideas to get you going:
Put yourself in the diary
Plan events into your diary so you have things to look forward to. This could be a trip to the theatre, a gig, or a yoga class, whatever fills your cup!
Crucially, putting activities or events into your calendar holds you accountable. It will make you have a life outside of school!
Pace yourself
It's always tempting after a break to throw yourself into school. Yet, you can often reach the end of the first couple of days and feel like you have never been away.
Remember that the term is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires periods of rest and a realistic expectation of what you can achieve. Which means something else too…
Be kind to yourself
Educators are terrific at being kind. As a collective, they are people pleasers, wanting the best for everyone.
Yet, how infrequently teachers practise self-kindness.
Kindness isn’t letting yourself off the hook and doing absolutely nothing.
Kindness isn’t giving up.
Kindness is certainly not weakness.
Kindness is showing yourself some compassion, acknowledging that you are doing your best and that this is enough.
Here’s a prompt to help:
What advice would you give your best friend if they were facing a 7 or 8 week long term? Then act on this.
(NB: if your response if run away and quit teaching, let me know. I can help you to gain clarity in your thinking. Get in touch here.)
Do these three things and notice the difference it makes to your wellbeing.