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Teacher Table Talk: Finding Balance

Like many careers, the teaching profession has its pros and cons. There’s rewarding and purposeful work, the opportunity to inspire and change the lives of students, and you’re always learning something new. I have yet to meet an educator who has “mastered” the field. Many of the ones I’ve met have let me know how much they’re continually learning something new about the work they do. Then there are the challenges. Things like adjusting to in-person and virtual learning while trying to navigate living and learning during a global pandemic, overcoming communication barriers with parents, ensuring students are socially, emotionally, and academically set, and making sure that as an educator, I’m prioritizing my well-being while juggling a career that involves a lot of planning, structure, and time management. 

As a first-year educator, I’m still finding my rhythm and learning the importance of having balance. I’m fully aware of what’s expected of me on a professional level, and I’m genuinely excited and passionate about the work I get to do. However, I know how important it is to make sure I’m properly managing my time and boundaries between work and my personal life. One morning during a staff meeting one of my administrators told everyone, “I want you all to get into the habit of shutting work off at the end of the day.” And though I heard her, I also understood that there would be times and seasons when I needed to be flexible. There have already been different evenings and weekends when I’ve brought work home with me and mornings when I’ve shown up to work early to make sure I have things set for my day and week to flow more efficiently. It can be so tempting to respond to work emails after hours, or incoming text and phone calls from other staff members, attending non-mandatory after work meetings and events, and to become so immersed in lesson planning and more, that you can easily lose track of time and feel like you never actually left work for the day, which can be stressful. I know leaving work at work will look different for everyone, but I believe it’s an important thing to do. During my first few months of teaching, I noticed some teachers who were quickly heading out and heading home at the end of the workday, others who stayed after hours, and some who felt that they should stay late for appearances sake, but overall, I believe balance is key. If you’re an educator, I hope you’re taking good care of yourself, prioritizing your time and well-being, and finding a balance that works best for you. 

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