Surviving the Holiday "Hump"
Quick Tips
- Prioritize what is expected of you. If you are uncertain or do not know, ask someone (a mentor or building rep).
- Prepare a daily "to-do" list.
Keep a neat desk or work space. This does not mean to be obsessive with your neatness.
- Always act diplomatic and tactful.
- Over the weekend (and on winter break), actually do something relaxing. Get away from it all.
- Invest 10 minutes of exercise three times a week.
- Diversify: Try brisk walks in the halls. Walk the stairs several times. Jog between the lines in the gym. Kick a soccer ball for 10 minutes. Try water aerobics for joint pain.
- Remember that talking about your day is a method of stress reduction, and sharing with someone while exercising is a double bonus.
From NEA Health and Wellness. Check it out at www.nea.org.
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Do you carry the same stack of ungraded papers back and forth to school?
Are you scrambling for time and can't find time to stop…?
Many teachers experience anxiety at this time of year, especially early career teachers. They think, "If I can just make it through to the end of December, I can collapse."
Early career teachers have survived a lot:
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The first week of school
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A slew of discipline problems
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Paperwork
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Learning the intricacies of a new district
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Testing
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Lesson plans that bombed
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Kids who are not learning as fast as you'd hoped (and planned for)
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Parent-teacher conferences
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More paperwork
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Grades
Now it's time to take care of you
Many KNEA members act as mentors or are involved in mentoring programs across the state.
Here is some of their advice for surviving the Holiday Hump.
Know that you are not alone.
Even experienced career teachers are in "survival mode" during this time of the year.
Take a Deep Breath.
You have set aside all external distractions. Good for you. Breathe in deeply one more time. You are almost ready for the day ahead.
Plan Ahead.
Have a plan, stick to the plan. Determine specific goals for when your students kids go home for the break. Where do you want them to be? What absolutely needs to be done? Talk to your mentor or colleague - are these goals realistic? What can "not" be done? A realistic and purposeful conversation is essential.
Prioritize.
Planning ahead means prioritizing. Mentors can help early career teachers understand what events or activities, such as conferences, take priority over things like long-range projects. Experienced teachers and mentors are providing to new teachers pieces of lessons and classroom activities and copying materials for classroom work to reduce planning for the short term. It helps early career teachers complete their priorities.
Continued on page 2
Balance Grading .
Many new teachers are bogged down with mounds of paper. They feel they have to touch and grade every piece of work their student does. Regardless if you teach at the elementary, high school or community college level, find a system. Understand certain pieces are for skill-building and need to be graded. Others pieces are for student practice and experience. It's like a practice versus a musical performance. Don't treat all assignments like a performance. Pay attention to the practice, but grade the performance.
Advice for singletons:Be a self-advocate.
If you are the only second grade teacher in your building, ask the teachers in grade levels on either side (first and third) for advice on goals and grading. Talk to someone about grading and record keeping, preferably before it becomes a real nightmare. If you are the only algebra or math teacher in a junior or high school, go to a veteran in another discipline or a different grade level. Go to a math teacher or someone in a similar content area who understands the content and can give advice. Your building rep or local officer can help. They can utilize their network of colleagues in other school districts to get you help.
End units on a Thursday.
Let Friday be a-breath-of-fresh-air day. Allow learning to settle in. Remember, each unit is one more building block for your class.
Use the Sense of "Smell"
Our sense of smell is very powerful. When we encounter any scent, it goes directly to the brain for fast transmission of information. Research has shown us that certain smells can affect our moods. Using natural scents such as vanilla, apple, and cinnamon will appeal to almost everyone, even students. To assist in keeping yourself relaxed, along with your students, you may add these smells into your classroom by using plug-ins or potpourri. But remember, if you do this, place these items in places that are low traffic areas. Also, be aware of student allergies and that any odor, regardless of how pleasant, can be offensive.
Stretch Tight Muscles
Another way to produce the relaxation response in the classroom is by stretching tight muscles. As we all know, stress causes muscles to become tightened, thus causing you to become more lethargic. Establishing a daily routine that includes taking three big breaths and stretching is an excellent mood setter for the classroom day. It is also a very good life skill to teach your students.
Save some weekend time for yourself
Make time to play on Friday and Saturday and then schedule time on Sunday to be focused back on school. Take the downtime to reconnect with your personal life and family.
Mentors and colleagues
Listen, support, volunteer your lessons, and intervene. Take time to ask the early career teachers how things are going. This is the time of year early career teachers need the most support.
For all school staff: Keep a File of Positives
Identify and celebrate your successes. They are often overlooked in this hectic part of the school year. When a positive note comes in, acknowledge and celebrate it. Remind yourself things are working even though you are struggling. Keep a file of those positive notes and pull them out when you need to feel better.
Have more advice?
Email your advice to kneanews@knea.org. We'll post your advice here on the KNEA Web site.
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