5 Back-to-School Reminders for Educators

  • Jill Rockwell
  • Aug 12 2019
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Although August has a sneaky way of suddenly showing up, I’m sure you don’t need any reminders that it’s almost time to go back to school. However, hopefully these five friendly reminders will help you start 2019/20 on a positive note.
 

Reminder #1: “You can do anything, but not everything.” -David Allen

Last fall I had the honor of interviewing Mary Jo Tein, a school psychologist in Minnesota with valuable, firsthand knowledge to help educators navigate the beginning of the new school year. Here is her advice for teachers who feel anxious about returning to school (you can read the full interview here):

Teachers need to be cognizant of the stressors placed on them – and be gentle with themselves. Just like with the students, there are emotional demands associated with a new schedule and new faces – students and parents. Try to go with the flow and do something fun away from school (go to the Minnesota State Fair!). Exercise or do whatever works best to release stress. Things will get better soon as the new routine is established. Teachers often want to do it all and get everything done. We all must let things go - and that is okay.

Reminder #2: YOU are appreciated!

Many people appreciate educators (even if it doesn’t always seem that way). According to an ING Foundation Survey, 88% of people say a teacher has had a “significant, positive impact” on their life. Below hear from a few famous people who have, indeed, been significantly and positively impacted by teachers:

  • “For every one of us that succeeds, it’s because there’s somebody there to show you the way out. The light doesn’t always necessarily have to be in your family; for me it was teachers and school.” -Oprah Winfrey
  • “Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.” -Bill Gates
  • “They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even when you don’t know it.” -Nicholas Sparks

Reminder #3: “…I am human. And that’s what us humans do. We make mistakes.”
Whole Hearted School Counseling created this visual as an important reminder about how to handle the inevitable mistakes we make as we transition back into school mode. (It’s also a great resource to share with students to foster a growth mindset in the classroom.)

Reminder #4: “The trick to having happy students is to, first, be happy yourself.” – Unknown
This school year, don’t forget to take care of yourself and make time to do what makes you happy. This article published by Psychology Today, provides 23 practices to boost your happiness, according to science.

Reminder #5: You are making the world a better place.
Be inspired by this 3-minute video, Because of a Teacher. Feel proud about all you do - from providing a safe refuge for children to inspiring students to become scientists, teachers truly change the world!

Best wishes for a positive start to the 2019/20 school year, educators!

Here are a few classes related to this topic:

TCL Logo Strategies to Improve Schoolwide Health and Wellness

TCL Logo Mindfulness in the 21st Century Classroom

TCL Logo 21st-Century Learners: Reaching and Teaching the iGeneration

Jill Rockwell
Jill has over 13 years of experience as a licensed teacher in the areas of Special Education, Reading Education, and Health Education. She embraces diversity and has worked with students in grades K-12 in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California. Jill completed her Master of Science degree at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls while teaching full time. She fully understands the soaring demands of today’s teachers. Her courses are designed to maximize the time of all educators by providing engaging, meaningful, and applicable activities which can be used to enhance teaching practices. She focuses on research-based best practices and technology integration throughout her own instructional practices. Together with her husband and two young boys, Jill enjoys traveling, biking and the changing seasons of the great outdoors in Wisconsin. 

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