10 New Year Resolutions Teachers Should Make is all about trying to make yourself into a better you, to focus on an area to improve upon. Teachers are masters of multitasking and honestly, they usually take on too many tasks and work on too many things. So how can we teachers resolve to improve? What kind of resolutions should we make to improve our overall lives? Here is a list of 10 New Year Resolutions Teachers Should Make.
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Make a list of priorities and stick to them.
The first item on our 10 New Year Resolutions Teachers Should Make you remember that… You can not do it all. No one can. Instead of feeling guilty, make a list of priorities and then stick to it. Your faith, your family, your health, your job… and everything else on your priority list. Do you need to set aside devotional time each day? Try to set a timer on your phone to leave school every day to be around your family more. Set aside date nights with your spouse. Did you read the part about your health? I struggle in that area as well, but don’t forget about keeping YOU healthy!
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Don’t Strive for Pinterest Perfect
I have a secret to share… my classroom isn’t Pinterest Perfect. I am also a horrible chart maker and I never share those images online. My classroom is loud, messy, and sometimes unorganized. Those moments are not Pinterest Perfect. But those moments are real and meaningful to my students. And guess who doesn’t care if your room is Pinterest Perfect? Your students. They would rather your room be full of fun and engaging activities.
Pinterest is great for ideas and inspiration, but let’s not strive for constant perfection. You do things your way and how it works for you! You might end up happier and with happier students as well.
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Don’t try to “get it all done”
Let’s keep it real. You are never going to finish everything on your list. Everything is never going to get done. You will only end up stressed out and unhappy. An important trick I learned years ago was to make a to-do list of those things you have to get done by a certain time. These items include assessments, paperwork, meetings, and more. Next, create a working list of things you would like to do. These are tasks that you want to do but may not have time to complete. If time allows, you can start to work on this list. These items include redoing your word wall, reorganizing your classroom library, and perhaps sorting math manipulatives. Yes, your classroom would be better with these items done, BUT you don’t have to do them this instant.
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Say no to tasks that take away from your top priorities.
Next on the 10 New Year Resolutions Teachers Should Make, we have the power of “no.” It can be flattering to be asked to take on extra tasks and responsibilities at school but don’t forget the power of the word no. Sometimes we have solid time-consuming reasons to step down from additional responsibilities such as health reasons, an extra demanding class, or even graduate-level classes. Other times we just need to step back because we need to step back. Make sure you can take care of your top priorities and if these new tasks take away from them, kindly and politely decline the offer. Try rotating elaborate tasks year to year between grade-level members as well.
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Call in sick when you are sick.
Why do we feel guilty when we call in sick when we are actually really sick? Stop doing this to yourself. (And yes, I am speaking to myself here as well.) I know it is a lot of work to call out sick, but if you are sick… please do it. Your team members should be willing and able to step up and help you out, just like you would help them. In truth, staying home and taking care of yourself will most likely result in you feeling better soon and you not spreading germs to everyone else.
- Read a professional development book in an area YOU are interested in. Many times teachers get professional development opportunities in areas their district or their school feels the need to grow in. This isn’t a bad thing at all. Sometimes YOU have to desire to learn about another area to make yourself a better teacher. Take the time to continue your education in what areas you need and desire because YOU are worth it.
Some digital professional development to help you evolve as a teacher, I highly suggest is Kindergarten Boot Camp.
You can read more about this video PD series here.
I recommend checking out these PD books:
Purposeful Play (on Amazon here)
Daily 5 (on Amazon here)
Teach Like a Pirate (on Amazon here)
Kids Deserve it (on Amazon here)
Conscious Discipline (on Amazon here)Technology is the way we are going, so jump on board! Don’t be scared. Pick a techie element you find cool and work at it until you learn it. Ask for help when you need it, use Google to troubleshoot, and keep trying. You can do it! Not sure where to start? Here are some of my technology ideas you can try!
8. Show others you value them.
Here is a very important element for the 10 New Year Resolutions Teachers Should Make. One of the pitfalls of our career choice is the cycle of feeling unappreciated. Stress gets to us and the demands of our jobs feel like a heavyweight. Stop the cycle by finding little ways to show others that YOU value them. In return, you will feel better and so will they. We all want to work in an environment that is uplifting and full of praise and affirmations. Be the spark that lights the fire. You will never regret the time and effort this takes.
Why are so quick to brush off a compliment but then take a negative comment so hard? It simply doesn’t make sense. We need to improve our mindset to stop engaging in the negatives. Period. Acknowledge the negative so you can hear it, and possibly help it, but also know when you just need to move on.
10. Find people who inspire you and motivate you.
Surround yourself with people who understand you and inspire you as a whole person. Let them motivate you to become a better you. They are the people who understand your flaws and don’t judge. These people help, encourage, motivate, and perhaps even share the workload. They can live close to you or far away. They can be across the hall or across the internet. If you are looking for more inspiration and motivation, try connecting with us. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for exclusive freebies, our Instagram account for picture-rich fun, and Sharing Kindergarten’s Facebook Page for ideas, articles, and more.
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