Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Top 9 New Year's Resolutions for Teachers

It's time for that yearly tradition of reflection and resolutions for the upcoming school year.  Here are a few to consider...

1.  Stay Positive

Coming off a much-needed break, it’s time to figure out how to make your classroom a happy place for you and your students in the long stretch to summer. 

2.  Spice Up Your Classroom Routine

Try one new technology or instructional technique each month to keep things new and challenging for you and your students. Making a list and assigning one new thing to each month will help you actually stick to this resolution.

3.  Build Fitness into Your Curriculum

It wouldn’t be a resolution list without some mention of better health. Make it a classroom priority to include movement into your day-to-day activities and to encourage your students to take care of your bodies.  Brain breaks are a great tool - see Sue or Julia for some ideas!

4.  Get Your Work/Life Balance in Order

As best you can, keep school work at school and enjoy your time at home. Making yourself happy will be better for you AND your students.

5.  Give Individual Time & Attention to Students

It doesn’t have to be formal one-on-ones, tutoring or meetings, but try to integrate a rotating classroom job in which your students help you do something. You can check in with him/her individually and see how everything is going.

6.  Get Organized – Work Smarter, Not Harder

With the fresh start, it’s a great opportunity to get your classroom organization back on track and your school life back in order.

7.  Set Goals 

Set your own personal classroom goals. What is one or two things you think are important but forget as soon as the flurry of the teaching gets in the way? Write one achievable goal a month on your calendar and make it a priority.

8.  Get Students Involved/Empowered

By giving students more control over their assignments and activities, they will hopefully take ownership of their education and use their talents and interests in a positive way.

9.  Make Better Use of Planning Time

Resolve to bust it out during your planning time so you can take less work home with you. It will feel great to leave at the end of the day prepared to be at your best the next day.