This post has not been around long enough that I can really justify re-posting, from any sort of blogger strategy perspective.
But, I think teachers deserve motivation and encouragement. Always … and especially this year when the news can seem dystopian, and many of us are *starting* the school year feeling more than a little worn down.
And, when, many of us are living and working and teaching largely through our devices, I could use some positivity in my inbox.
And, for me, making things is self care.
So, self-justification accomplished: I made a new resource for not-quite old post: a free one page guide to send your future self some love.
Originally published Dec 2019, updated and re-posted Fall 2020.
There are many paths to positive teacher energy.
Breaks are good, so is breathing and mindfulness, and chocolate, or tea. Good colleagues help (a lot).
Usually, not email.
Except… My favorite hack for this year: gmail schedule send + student notes.
Every term I have my students write notes about what they want me to remember. (update: new digital version) They’re awesome and inspiring and give me such a boost.
This year, I thought, I want to *actually* remember this. Not just now in the shiny, exciting start of the term, but later. Like say, the week before winter break when it’s always dark out and everyone is tired and very ready for break and there is So. Much. To. Do.
So September-me scanned my students’ notes, and to say I wrote myself an email would be exaggerating. I typed in my own email address, attached one inspiring note’s scan, and hit “schedule send” for a random Monday some time in the future.
And now, on random Mondays. I get sweet notes from my students full of hope and goals and fresh September energy.
The rest of my inbox is still the rest of my inbox. But, I read them, and remember the shiny new year feeling, and feel much better about email than I do on most random Mondays.
And then, I hit ‘reply’ and schedule send it back to myself for another boost on some future random Monday.
Resources
My schedule send tips guide on TPT
Or, sign up for my newsletter and access all of my subscriber resources
“Dear Teacher…” Notes forms PDF OR Digital
And, for all the other non-email teacher-care strategies:
Resilient Educator Toolkit (Concordia University)
How to Practice Habits of Self-Care When you Have No Time (Angela Watson/Truth for Teacher <– who has been doing lots of good thinking about teacher balance lately)
And, I started a board on pinterest to save even more