Teacher work life balance seems like a unicorn — and maybe it is. But there are steps to take to help yourself find that balance.
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It takes a special kind of person to be a teacher. Nine times out ten, that person is someone who will put others first and try to go above and beyond with any and all tasks.
These qualities make a great teacher, but can also make a very drained, burned out teacher. They can make a teacher who works late into the night, early in the morning, and all weekend. Teacher work life balance is hard to strike, but is important to seek to avoid frustration, burn out, and to simply keep that self care in check.
I’m nearing the end of my fifth year in the classroom and have finally (finally!) started to figure out a process that works for me. While I still think about school all the time and fall asleep at night thinking about my students well-being or the next day’s tasks, I’m at a point in which I’m not bringing work home every night and I’ve never been happier. Finding that work-life balance is unique to everyone, especially as a teacher, but these tips are working for me!
Teacher Work Life Balance Tips
ONE // Utilize your planning period
This is a tip I’ve given a number of times, but that’s because it will always be number one! While there will NEVER be enough planning time, using what you do have in the right way is important.
There are times when I will step out during my conference time to run a quick errand, especially if it will save me time after school, but most days I dedicate school time to school things. Grading and planning at school ensures I don’t spend time grading and planning at home.
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TWO // Set a time to stop working
Whether working at home or at school, setting boundaries helps keep you accountable. Each day, I have a “Go Home Alarm” set that reminds me to begin wrapping things up and heading home. As mentioned, there’s never enough planning time, so having a clear boundary reminds me that sometimes working to 98 percent is just as effective as 100 percent!
THREE // Preserve your weekends and time outside of school
With a school day that ends at 4 p.m. and errands to run later, it means the family time that comes afterward is precious. By trying my best to adhere to tips one and two, I’m able to preserve my time outside of school and step away from the teacher persona. I don’t mind checking email a few times outside of school, but I generally will not respond until the next day or Monday if it’s the weekend.
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FOUR // Set a schedule and try to stick to it
It can seem somewhat counterintuitive to plan to find balance, but I’ve realized I have to be intentional about seeking that balance when my teacher life gets to be overwhelming. Setting a schedule and trying my best to stick to it makes a huge difference.
At the beginning of the school year I will look over my weekly schedule and find those pockets that allow me to maximize my time. I try to do all of my lesson planning and prep one day a week and use the other four for grading and any day-to-day tasks that need to be addressed. Recently, I’ve started making a daily to-do list before I leave each day that helps me stay on track with this schedule even more. Sometimes a task gets pushed to the next day, but when that “Go Home Alarm” sounds, I don’t let it bother me.
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FIVE // Find the right school
This last tip is a hard one to address because in many ways, it’s out of my (or your or anyone’s) control. As hard as it is, it’s necessary. I have been in a school where I loved the work, but I was always working. I’ve been in a school where I was so miserable I dreaded each day, but still found myself working constantly. I’m now in a school where I love the environment, the work to be done, and the students, while not breaking my back day in and day out and still not be caught up.
Surrounding yourself with people who support your well-being makes a huge difference in work-life balance, regardless of industry. If you find yourself in an environment that doesn’t support taking time for your family or yourself, it could be an opportunity to start searching for an environment that does. I know that life isn’t always that easy, but if finding a semblance of work-life balance is important to you, it might mean making some hard decisions.
What are your best Teacher Work Life Balance tips?
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