Developing as a Professional Educator
Developing as a Professional Educator
Prior to becoming an educator I worked in immigration rights and advocacy for 5 years. As soon as I became a teacher, I worked closely with EL and LTEL students at the high school level, then went on to teach ESL. The cumulation of my experiences has made it clear that my next professional goal is to earn my CLAD Certification so that I may better support my future students and schools. I plan to enroll in the CLAD/CTEL Certificate program through UCR Extension.
It's true what they say; the first year is the hardest. The following years don't necessarily get easier, but you get stronger and wiser. All you can do is try your best, and don't beat yourself up when you fail. Take it as an opportunity to try something new, even if it sounds "too crazy" to work. Give your students (and yourself) the chance to surprise you!
Sustaining your physical, mental, and emotional health are not just goals: they are necessities. This looks different for everyone; for me I personally use daily walks outside, playing with my kids, baking, reading, and the occasional hike with my husband to keep myself grounded, centered, and healthy. However, what should not look different for everyone is creating and maintaining clear boundaries between professional and personal lives. This can be difficult given the intensely personal nature of being an educator, but this is an absolute necessity in preventing burnout.