You Do Not Have To Be Everyone's Anchor

Have you ever heard that doctors make the worst patients?  Or that preacher's kids are the worst behaving kids to be found?  How about people that give advice are the worst at taking that same advice?

The advice I am sharing with you is something I would like all of you to take and I am going to take it as well.  You can't take care of your students if you don't take care of yourself.  You need to put on your oxygen mask first.  Dr. Candy Caine shared mindfulness with you at the beginning of the year and some of us listened and began practicing these skills from that day forward.  I, on the other hand, started strong but stopped around November and the stress has been building.  

Vivian Shih for NPR

So much that the physical affects of stress are beginning to take a toll and if this continues I am no good at school nor at home.  And I see that in some of you.  

Here are some strategies I borrowed from Scholasticthat might come in handy:

• Break down whatever you have to do into smaller tasks. If you have to tackle a beast, carve it into nibble-sized hors d'oeuvres.
   
• Think of things that make teaching fun for you - and do them!
   
• Deal openly with a colleague who has bothered or upset you before the situation festers.
   
• Try not to take things personally because often comments aren't meant to be digs.
   
• Stay in close touch with nature. Talk to classroom pets, take a class outdoors if weather and school policy permit it, open the windows at snack time, find a way to incorporate the change of seasons and nature walks into your curriculum.
   
• Make time during the school year for your hobbies. Don't wait for summer vacation.
   
• Apologize when you're wrong.
   
• Put a cartoon or photo that makes you laugh in you plan book or desk drawer and look at it when you need a boost.
   
• Take a walk during lunch, a planning period, or after school. During your walk, don't think about the things you have to do.
   
• Steer clear of the coffee pot in the faculty room. Too much caffeine can make you nervous and irritable.
   
• Keep in mind that no matter what colleagues, your principal, students, or parents think or say, you're basically a good teacher who can't please all the people all the time.
   
• Don't listen to the rumors that fly around the school.
   
• Give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing for five minutes a day — and not feel guilty about it.
   
• Just say no. Politely refuse to take on more projects than you can handle, even if a colleague, your principal, or a parent asks you to.
   
• Be grateful to have a meaningful job.

Another Strategy is to take a vacation and here is one courtesy of me. Enjoy!

Have an amazing Sunday! Take time for yourself and I'll see you tomorrow!

-Angela

Week of May 21, 2017

Monday, May 22

• iReady Testing: Lee and Griggs
• Food Drive Begins (See flyer that was in your box last week)
• PD Scheduled for Cafe at 3:30 has been cancelled

Tuesday, May 23

• iReady Testing: Russ and Pearsall
• PLC (RtI Focus)
• 8:30-9:30 5th,6th,7th
• 10-11 Kindergarten
• 12-1 1st/2nd
• 1-2 3rd/4th
• Challenge Island EOG Event 3:30-5:15 Grades 3rd-7th

Wednesday, May 24

• TCEA Buy One, Get One Free Bookfair Begins 
• Open 7:30-7:50 and 3:00-4:00
• Admin Meeting 9:00-10:00
• iReady Testing: Magan/ Hagler and DeNoble (Bowermaster)
• School Leaders Meeting at 3:30 in Cafe 

Thursday, May 25

• iReady Catch Up Day
• Dr. Holmes Visit: My former assistant superintendent will be doing walk through in some classrooms to guide leadership planning for the coming year.  Please continue teaching if we visit your space.  Let me know if you have any questions.
• Book IT EOY Reward for 2nd-5th at 2:00 in cafe (List of qualify students will be sent to you via email on 5/21/17 and a letter to their parents tomorrow)

Friday, May 26

• Field Day at Festival Park (K-3= 12:30-2:00 and 4-7= 10:00-12:00)
• Please read all emails from Mr. Thomas to be informed
• No Arts nor Elective Classes
• Boot Camp Ends!