The school year—however it is structured for your school—is well under way. It is important to remember that kids are going through a lot—COVID-19 and its aftermath, yes, but also a divided country and systemic inequalities that have been further exposed and deepened by the pandemic. This is not a business-as-usual kind of school year. While some kids might not be carrying physical backpacks to a physical space like a classroom, you can be sure that many of them are carrying the weightiness of what they have endured or are still enduring.
As teachers, we are in the business of looking out for kids’ well-being—not just their academic achievement. So this year, in particular, be mindful of the human beings in front of you.
Here are some simple reminders:
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Keep Your Own Humanity in Mind
Friends, there is not one shred of evidence that shows a positive correlation between the hours that you work and student success. And, when all this is over, there will be no prize for who worked the hardest. We just might be gearing up for a marathon, not a sprint. So, if you haven't already, start now to develop some self-care routines, some solid boundaries, and some positive practices in your own life. These aren’t just nice ideas or selfish behaviors. If we, as teachers, let ourselves become depleted and joyless, school might become a joyless experience for kids. We owe it to ourselves and the kids we serve.
Here are just a few things to consider:
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Kelly Boswell has many years of experience as a classroom teacher, staff developer, literacy coach, and district literacy specialist. She is the author of many books, including several nonfiction children’s books. Kelly works with schools and districts around the country to support educational leaders, coaches, and teachers. Her emphasis is on developing literacy practices that help students become joyful and passionate readers and writers. Follow her on Twitter @KellyMBoswell.