Self-Care

Five weeks in. My advice: Take eye breaks. I downloaded audiobooks and podcasts so I don't use screens during my "off" times.

So be patient with yourself, laugh at yourself, live and learn every day.

Be strict with times you close your computer. It will eat up 12 hours a day easily if you let it.

Be able to laugh at yourself.

Have a plan for your down time, free moments in between when you are just waiting for questions or submissions for students. My first week, for my non-live classes that I prep & release online for them to work through, the during-class time when I'm required to be available for student questions was torture (even though I'd set a some interactive discussions). Times since then have been better when I was ready with a plan for what I'd do (organizing files, marking things, editing photos, etc.) anything I could easily stop & come back to in between dealing with student questions/concerns.

Look after your wellbeing - posture, exercise, sleep, getting away from emails / notifications / the devices. Don't underestimate how much extra time, energy, and attention this experience will require of you.

Breathe, keep yourself in one piece and embrace the experience.... one day at a time.....

We are in week 6 now. I just asked my teachers this question last week. One clear theme was based around teacher wellness: set a schedule for yourself of when you will work and when you will turn off. Stick to it. Another theme was one task at a time. Finish that task before moving to the next. I know this sounds really simple but it’s easy to get distracted with all the emails and texts coming in from students and teachers. It can be 24 hours if you allow it.

Our school was clear with parents about when we would be available to return emails and answer WeChat messages. If you haven’t started teaching online yet, make sure that parents know when you will be available. And more important, when you will NOT be available.

As a teacher, set boundaries for lesson creating. Try to engage in a new task, project, or hobby to fill your heart and give you something to look forward to outside of planning/teacher times. Allow yourself grace to adjust each week as you manage online learning and observe your students. The novelty of online learning will wear off. Emotional issues like stress, anxiety or depression can threaten student engagement. Keep things as light as possible, in your communication with students and give parents a chance to share successes and proud moments with the teacher.