As elementary school teachers, we have the opportunity to celebrate the new year at least twice a year. The first happens in September with the start of a new school year and the second, in January, with the mark of the beginning of a new solar calendar year. As we approach the latter event, I take this moment to reflect on some of the things that I wish to continue to embrace as I move forward – some renewed new year’s resolutions of sorts.
1. Have fun. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Teaching is the best job on earth. Enjoy the opportunity to the fullest.
2. Make time to connect with your colleagues. Whether it be in the staff room at lunch or in the hall as you pass by, invests in professional relationships with your colleagues. You are on the same team and teamwork doesn’t simply happen by working in the same building.
3. Be okay with not knowing. In the spirit of inquiry, be willing to embrace the learning in the process as well as the learning at the end of it.
4. Focus on 1-2 professional learning goals at a time. There will always be new initiatives and ideas to grapple with. Be sure to feel comfortable with one new thing a year and you will not feel overwhelmed by trying to grapple with them all.
5. Enjoy recess duty. While ensuring the safety of your scholars, it is also a great opportunity to connect with them as well.
6. Know that things will get done. Every school night doesn’t have to be a late one.
7. Work smarter (not harder). You do not have to reinvent the wheel. Make effective use of the resources around you in order to accomplish what you are set out to do.
8. Be good to you. Find the time to engage in the things that (re)energize you.
9. Give yourself permission to not be the perfect teacher. The perfect teacher doesn’t exist. And if he/she did, who would want to walk around with all that pressure? Be the best version of yourself where you are at, while embracing opportunities to grow.
10. Be. Just be. Be grateful, loving, respectful, courageous…
