What a year 2020 has been! Teaching and learning has undoubtably reached a turning point this year making distance education the norm. When the promise of normality is in the horizon, it’s extremely important to set goals that are realistic and do what you can to achieve them. Read on for more!

Each year is a new opportunity to think ahead about your goals. Never before have we faced such an unpredictable year – and with the promise that it’s only going to get better from here, let’s take a moment to set some new year goals.  

1. Stop Reinventing the Wheel Unless You Really Want To

Some teachers have been teaching for many years but have never taught in the midst of a pandemic, using only digital resources, to students quarantined at home. This year, teachers scavenged for digital resources like no other, some even made their own. If you are one of those who feel guilty for not making your own, know that it’s okay to borrow and adapt resources from others and that it’s okay to borrow them and not even adapt them at all. All teachers’ number one goal for this school year should be to survive. Create resources when you feel inspired, and adapt and use the resources of others when you need to. I know I am.

2. Talk to adults about stuff other than school

When in adult company many teachers are prone to talk about their students. I say let’s not, let’s try to clean the slate when outside of the classroom. Leave things there and come back to them when you return. Yes, I know this is easier said than done, especially if something major has happened. I know from experience though that when you talk to your adult colleagues, or friends about things you are interested in, enjoy, or even about nothing in particular you will feel rejuvenated by that adult company. My goal is to do more of that!

3. Be present wherever I am

When we are at school we should be at at school, when going for a walk or having dinner with the family then our minds should also be there, too, in that moment. As teachers, we will always be taking work home, marking, planning, and it can be hard to let go of all that goes on during the day. My goal in 2020 is that I’m going to try, I think you should too, don’t you. Be in the moment, enjoy the little things and the big things!

4. Get organized … for real this time

Throw away all the things that you have been hoarding. Ditch the review books targeting a test my kids stopped taking in 2013, throw out the ancient worksheet written back in 1999 written in your own handwriting, burn the recent research from 1999; set the cabinet on fire if you have to! It’s time to start the new year actually knowing where things are in my classroom and using true recent resources. Next stop, desktop!

5. Take Care of Yourself

We hear this over and over but it’s true, teaching is stressful. If you want to continue being a great teacher for many years to come, you have to take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water, don’t skip the trip to the gym (once gyms open again). Taking care of yourself is critically important for you and your students. Now, where is that bubble bath? 🛁

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Till next time…

Photo by Moritz Knöringer on Unsplash