Five Important Habits for Teachers

There are so many tasks to accomplish as a teacher - important issues, small duties,  and everything in between, but there is never enough time to accomplish them all. Then there are those important habits to develop, even when we don't feel like it. The world doesn’t stop if you do not do them, but they may help teachers more than they might think. Here are 5 habits that can really make a difference for you as a teacher:

1. Finish your lesson plans on Friday. Up till a year ago, Sunday was my lesson plan day. Four to five hours of writing and planning my lessons for the week. This year I wanted things to be different. I wanted to spend more time on Sunday with my family and I did not want to spend Sunday just planning.  So against all odds, I finish my lesson plans on Friday and I have all my copies made for the week. I have stayed after school so I don’t take over the copy machines for the sake of my co-workers, but it is well worth it and I feel prepared and so much better when I do not have worry about planning or copying. Try it one week, you will be surprised how it frees you.

2. Go to the Homecoming Football game. There is a reason why it is called “homecoming.” Former students will come home to watch a game and they will surround you with more love and support than you will ever realize. They were a reminder of why I do what I do. I felt valued, and we all know how much we need to feel appreciated. Our current students may not appreciate us or they won’t tell us, but our former students do and will. Go to the game, even if it is just after half time.Our babies are only little once, then it is gone forever. Take off a day and watch your child shine for once. Click To Tweet

3. Take off work and go to your own child’s event. We put our lives on hold for other people’s children. It is part of the job and our choice. It is hard to take off work, but one day off will not hurt and think how much your child will love you for it. We miss parent teacher conferences because we have our own. We miss plays because we have to teach Macbeth this week and our students just won’t understand it without us. Our babies are only little once, then it is gone forever. Take off a day and watch your child shine for once.

4. Teach your colleagues. I am extremely shy. I know, I’m a teacher and I am shy, go figure. It is one thing for me to make a fool of myself for my kids and another for me to mess up in front of my peers, but I was forced to teach when I became a Teacher Leader. Though I still get nervous, it built my confidence as a teacher and it carried over into my classroom. You have knowledge you need to share with your coworkers. Whether it is a new lesson, a cool strategy, a website, a technology tool, or an idea, your ideas are valued and you will gain respect from your colleagues and more importantly, gave respect for yourself. Give yourself an opportunity to be great. Click To Tweet

5. Go to Professional Development. I know not all professional development days are created equal. Sometimes it is just one meeting after another about everything we are doing wrong, but sometimes I feel inspired after going. I love finding new ways to teach and it keeps my lessons “fresh.” I don’t always want to go, but once I do I feel better. I feel happier to be with people who are passionate about their job and I exchange numbers with other people and we share ideas and lessons.

As I said, these things do not have to be done. Nothing will happen if you don’t do them, but something might happen if you do. Click To Tweet You may have more time, you may feel appreciated, you may discover something about your child, or even yourself.