Get Past the Sunday Blues

Sunday Blues

Okay, it’s Sunday again, and if you are like me, you are beginning to feel that push. You know the one where you start getting ready for Monday. You are rushing to eat Sunday dinner so you can start grading papers and posting grades. And, if you are honest, Sunday has become a regular school day for you. It is not only sad. It is depressing. As teachers, we tend to be workaholics. Well, to survive this profession, you almost have to be. But, there is hope.

I read an article today by Christi Wilson on avoiding teacher burnout. It is located at www.educationworld.com. It listed some great strategies on how to deal with the stresses of teaching. One of the strategies she suggested was to leave schoolwork at school over the weekend. Wilson suggests doing all you need to do on Friday BEFORE you leave for the weekend. If that isn’t possible, use some of the plans from you substitute folder. Wow! Sounds awesome. After reading this article, I made a pledge to do just that and stop working on schoolwork on my Sunday.

Here are somethings that I suggest:

Hire Help: Okay…okay. I know you don’t make a lot of money. However, I have found over the years that I am so much more effective when I don’t have to waste valuable time do mundane tasks like grading simple multiple choice papers. I hired an assistant who helps with grading my papers and organizing me classroom. The angels began to sing the first day that I did this, and they have continued to sing. This frees up more of my time for my family and other activities like Teachers Pay Teachers.

 

Give Up a Few Moments of Sleep: It has been proven that most of us do our best work during the earliest part of the day. So, why not get a few minutes earlier and complete those activities that you couldn’t finish earlier.

It also helps to start prepping for school early in the year. I mean like in the summer. I like to create substitute teacher folders, bell ringers, and etc. during the summer.

Be Realistic: Let reality set in. Stop dragging those same papers home and back to school. I know a teacher who gets to school early. She stays late. She lugs a bag full of papers in each day and the same bag of papers back home again each day. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about her because I have been guilty of the same type of behavior. However, there comes a point when reality has to set in. There is only so much that we can accomplish in a day.

So, now finish grading those papers. And, promise yourself that this is the last Sunday that you drag all those papers home.

Surviving the Days before the Holiday

Surviving the Days before the Holidays

Part 1

Yep. It’s that time of the year. It is almost Thanksgiving, and some of you may or may not have had a Fall Break. (My school does not have one. Bummer!) Whether you have had a break are not, chances are good that you are plum wore out at this point. As teachers, we tend to let school become our center focus. We put our own families and lives on the backburner. We have too many things to do, too many papers to file out, and not enough time in the day. And, some of us sell products on TpT. Some of us have a second job. So, what can you do?  This is my first installment of teacher survival tips.

Just Walk Away

So, they want you to be the PTO secretary or they need you to help run the school newspaper on top of everything else you have to do. And, you hate to say “no”. Teachers are often guilty of trying to do too much. After teaching for 8 hours, we often come home and continue to work. Instead of spending this time with our families, we spend it doing lesson plans and grading papers. However, if we are to survive…if we are to be successful at our jobs and at being a “person” outside of work, we are going to have to learn how to just say “no”. That’s it. Just say “no” and walk away. Don’t feel guilty. Don’t wonder who they found to replace you. Don’t worry, and don’t wonder. You deserve to have some time to yourself.

I once had a principal who told me that he and his wife made it a rule to never bring work home. They don’t bring papers home. They don’t talk about unruly students. They don’t discuss school work at all. Their time at home is designated for time for their family.

Sounds it possible doesn’t it? But, it is doable. You just have to make a conscious effort to leave work at work.

Go to bed on time

Next, go to bed. That’s right. Go to bed, and go on time. A lack of sleep can make you feel both physically and mental exhausted. It can lower your immune system and lead to colds and other illnesses. Remember most people need 7-8 hours of sleep each night in order to perform at their best. So, no, those quick catnaps you take on the couch of 2-4 hours doesn’t count. Put those papers down, and go to sleep.

Teaching is a demanding job. In order to stay on top of your game, you have to take time for yourself. Stop taking piles of papers home. Stop taking on extra work. Go to bed on time.