Rejuvenation
Welcome to a new year and the New Teacher Phase of Rejuvenation! As we return from Winter Break, it is likely that we are feeling a bit more relaxed than when we left in December. We might also be feeling that our energy has been renewed, we've had some time to reflect on the first half of the year, and we're ready to take on the second half. These are all a natural part of the new teacher cycle and will likely carry us into February.
During this time of rejuvenation, it is vital that you work to intentionally reconnect with your students, families, and peers. We have all taken on and made it through so many obstacles, and that deserves to be celebrated by everyone! But we still have a long and uncertain road ahead of us. By feeding and fueling our feelings of hope, optimism, and energy, we are adding to our resilience reserves so we can pull from them in the months to come.
And it's important to remember that although these are the teaching phases that MANY new teachers go through, everyone does not experience them at the same time or in the same way. If you're not feeling a sense of renewal, know that this is normal, too. What's important to note is that if we can anticipate something, we can plan for it. Plan for ups and downs as we continue through the next months and lean into your support network and your own resilience reserves.
As you work through this period, consider the following suggestions to help you better navigate the Rejuvenation Phase of the school year.
Managing Your Time
The Beginning Teacher's Field Guide
Pull this bad boy out and set aside some time so that you can read Chapter 4 (pages 69-80). In part of this chapter, Tina Boogren sheds light on four classroom strategies that support rejuvenating your students. We want to strongly advocate that YOU need to follow these very same strategies in order to keep yourself pumped up and ready to teach and lead in your classrooms and at your sites. Happy teacher, happy students, right?
Strategy 1: Demonstrate Intensity and Enthusiasm (pg. 72)
Strategy 2: Utilize Physical Movement (pg. 73-74)
What's good for the goose, is good for the gander! If you're asking your kids to move to improve learning and mood, then make sure you're doing the same for yourself! You'll be feeding your resilience and modeling for your students all at the same time!
