Tips on Creating a Balanced Life: It Begins with You!

Here are some daily routines I have done over the years that have helped me create a more balanced teaching life. In general, I make it a habit to do things that bring me pleasure WITHOUT feeling guilty.

FUN ACTIVITIES
I spend 30 minutes daily meditating. I listen to the BLUE Room meditation and it works wonders!
I schedule at least an hour of family time every weekday. I do NOT compromise on this! This means eating together as a family, reading stories together, taking walks in the park.
I read for pleasure before bed for at least 20 minutes a few times a week.
I work out at the gym and/or do yoga.
I make the weekends a time to take care of the soul. I work in the garden pulling weeds or catching up with old friends.

How many fun activities do you do? Before you begin your work week, schedule some time off wher eyou can catch up with yourself and your thoughts.

2. Nurture Social Interaction

I have a few great mentors – My mentor at school is my librarian friend because we love to talk about children’s books since we are both children’s writers and she is also a great listener! Another mentor is my colleague because she has great insights on teaching and has a great sense of humor.

3. Collaborate!
I believe in sharing ideas as a quick way to collaborate. You can find many of my teaching ideas and tips I’ve shared with other professionals in my ebooklet: “Yes! You Can Teach K-12 English Language Learners Successfully” or in my ebook “Tips and Tricks on Surviving and Thriving: Practical Activities Made Easy”

If I’m starting to bond with another teacher, I’ll approach a teacher with a lesson plan or idea and ask: “What do you think of this idea? I’d like to get your feedback on it. Let me know what you think.” I’ll also share a worksheet or an activity that went well which is great for relationship-building.

In strengthening that bond, we use our collaboration as a channel for intervention and support. For example, we meet in grade level teams during a planning period once a week. Every week, we look at the subject and the group and plan joint lessons for our struggling English language learners.We try and ask: What do we need to do with this group by way of incorporating support and literacy in the lessons?

Working with Conflicts
In cases where I don’t get along with a co-teacher, I first keep a distance but still offer help and support as needed. I keep reminding myself that this person has some good qualities too and has helped me in certain situations. I try not to get too bogged down with personal conflict (i.e. blaming) and details as this is especially draining and interferes with teaching; Rather I focus on the students and our collaboration.

If the problem continues to severely affect our collaboration and work, I’ll initiate a private talk. I try to avoid defending myself and/or attacking the person. I try and do this as discretely as possible – usually over the phone, in an email or in a quiet corner of the school.

I actually learned that the best way to deal with anybody who has a conflict with me is to avoid taking myself too seriously. I try and listen as best as I can to what they have to say.

What tips do you use to create a balanced teaching life? Did I leave anything out? Leave a comment. I’ll respond to it. I’m curious to read your answers.