Handling stress without a system can be an insurmountable task. For me, however, family keeps me grounded. For many helping the kids with some random task may not seem like ‘me time’ but to me it is a pleasant relief. Relief of what you may ask? The answer is simple, a generally eclectic and hectic work life. Now I am not saying that daily life is not hectic at times either; it is just that it is different. For example, taking my daughter to gymnastics (although a rush some days) is not a penalty, it’s a priority and a pleasure. Giving my family time a higher priority is appropriate and it proves very rewarding; I get to be with them.
Add to this the fact I live on a small plot of land in a beautiful part of the world right by one of British Columbia’s best salmon rivers, it is not hard to get a slice of the outdoors, to undertake a project on my property or simply tend to the chickens and the sheep. Each of these things can simply provide a little bit of down time; they are grounding.
Like many, when I began teaching I received the proverbial ‘dogs breakfast’ of a time table. It was not until I was about 8 years into teaching that I finally got a schedule that didn’t have 4 preps one semester and three the next. Maintaining order with hectic schedules made me realize the need for good systems. At work this takes the form of time management and collegial support. Collegial support provides the most relief because, as colleagues, we can share resources and more importantly an ear to which idea can be bounced off. It also made me acutely aware that multi-tasking simply doesn’t work, or at least for me.
I am not saying I still don’t multi-task, the list of things to do is simply too long, but I do look to set and complete tasks independently of each other. Part of this also includes scheduling time during the day for me. This, as you can imagine, is lunch time. It doesn’t mean that I am unavailable at lunchtime, but students quickly adapt to reasonable schedules and are very much aware that I get in early and stay after school; access to me is not difficult. I also build into class time ample opportunity for students to ask questions, sit missed test or simply deal with their daily needs and concerns.
Lunch time has now become a time to relax. I lunch with colleagues and we talk about the many light hearted things that have happened in our day and provide each other with ideas and support.
Together my home life and work life incorporate seemingly simple systems to alleviate the stresses of life. Regardless of the simplicity, they work well for me. As a teacher we always have another thing coming up on the calendar needing out attention. The light at the end of the tunnel is always there though; summer. For me that is just another opportunity to spend time with my family.
Add to this the fact I live on a small plot of land in a beautiful part of the world right by one of British Columbia’s best salmon rivers, it is not hard to get a slice of the outdoors, to undertake a project on my property or simply tend to the chickens and the sheep. Each of these things can simply provide a little bit of down time; they are grounding.
Like many, when I began teaching I received the proverbial ‘dogs breakfast’ of a time table. It was not until I was about 8 years into teaching that I finally got a schedule that didn’t have 4 preps one semester and three the next. Maintaining order with hectic schedules made me realize the need for good systems. At work this takes the form of time management and collegial support. Collegial support provides the most relief because, as colleagues, we can share resources and more importantly an ear to which idea can be bounced off. It also made me acutely aware that multi-tasking simply doesn’t work, or at least for me.
I am not saying I still don’t multi-task, the list of things to do is simply too long, but I do look to set and complete tasks independently of each other. Part of this also includes scheduling time during the day for me. This, as you can imagine, is lunch time. It doesn’t mean that I am unavailable at lunchtime, but students quickly adapt to reasonable schedules and are very much aware that I get in early and stay after school; access to me is not difficult. I also build into class time ample opportunity for students to ask questions, sit missed test or simply deal with their daily needs and concerns.
Lunch time has now become a time to relax. I lunch with colleagues and we talk about the many light hearted things that have happened in our day and provide each other with ideas and support.
Together my home life and work life incorporate seemingly simple systems to alleviate the stresses of life. Regardless of the simplicity, they work well for me. As a teacher we always have another thing coming up on the calendar needing out attention. The light at the end of the tunnel is always there though; summer. For me that is just another opportunity to spend time with my family.