Describe a professional goal you have for yourself beyond induction. Why have you identified this as a need or interest?
A goal I have for myself after induction is working on creating a better work-life balance. For the last 4 years of my teaching career, I have neglected my needs countless of times in order to meet unrealistic demands made in the workplace. Over the years, I have been trying my best to be more continuous about how I manage my time during work hours in order to be the most efficient. While I still have a lot of room for growth in this area, I've noticed that I've been taking less of my work home by using any time possible during the workplace to get it done. When I am not able to get everything done, I do end up taking work home, however I do voice that demands being made might not be realistic due to not having time during contracted hours to get it done. While I understand that I will probably always take work home, it is important to keep it at a minimum so I am able to rest and recharge in order to perform my best.
What actions will you take? How will you measure goal attainment?
Some actions I can take to remain a connected educator would be to take care of myself. As cliche as it may sounds, it is extremely important to take take care of yourself first before you are able to take care of others. Taking care of myself includes physically, mentally, and spiritually, so taking care of myself may look different at times. Some specific actions may include being out in nature, eating nourishing meals, as well as reading and learning new things.
What can you do personally and professionally, to sustain the energy it takes to be passionate about students, teaching, and learning?
To sustain the energy that is needed to be an effective teacher, I will work on my time management skills in order to be more mindful in making space to take care of myself. In the past, I have not been the best at carving out time to focus on my own needs and I've noticed that it's lead to me feeling burnt out. In the future, I would like to have designated time everyday to focus on meeting my own needs.
What advice do you have for new teachers entering the profession?
My main advice for new teachers is to take care of themselves first and to also use their time efficiently so that they are not taking work home. While sacrifices are often necessary to ensure that all responsibilities are taken care of, it is also important to fuel the body and soul in order to sustainably engage in everything that one is asked to participate in as an educator. Teaching requires a lot of planning and energy, so it is important to take care of ourselves in order to keep energy high for effective lessons and to be as effictive as we possibly can.