Leisure
Start the new school year right
By PreSha Barnes
I
t’s the start of a new school year.
Usually at the start of a new
school year, many educators feel
a bit anxious. Some of us allow
ourselves to become overwhelmed
by constantly wondering about what
to expect and what new tasks will be
required of us. This is especially true for
teachers who are new to the country
and the region. The following are a few
ideas that you can keep in mind, so as
to stay healthy and alert at the start of
the new school year.
Get Rest/Relax
The first few weeks of school are
often the most hectic. Not only are
you setting up your classrooms and
meeting new students and colleagues,
but for many, you are also setting up
life in a whole new country. Prepare for
your potentially busy week by ensuring
that you get adequate rest prior to
the start of school. Make the time to
relax, especially when you have down
time. As educators, our minds go
into overdrive when the new school
year begins. We begin to think and
overthink everything. Taking the time
to rest and relax will help you to focus
on your priorities. It will also give you
the energy that you need in order to
be alert to function at your best.
Plan Ahead
Having a (S.M.A.R.T) goal in place will
allow us to have a Plan B for our Plan A,
especially when mapping out a school
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year. Your goals should be specific
towards your grade level and content
area. They should be measurable,
and aligned with the curriculum
timeline and the school improvement
plan. They should be attainable and
realistic. Instead of only planning for
the first weeks of school, gather with
team members and plan out the entire
trimester. This saves time in the weeks
ahead. All the goals should be on a
timeframe, so you can monitor your
progress. When you plan (S.M.A.R.T.),
you are better prepared to execute
your lessons with ease. You will reap
the rewards of engaging your students
more thoroughly and you can easily
focus in other important areas.
Just Go with It!
Professional development, meetings,
planning sessions and so on, are all
important to our ability to do our jobs
effectively. Look at each CPD session
as an opportunity to either learn or
share something new and helpful. In
some cases, you may have already
been familiar with the topic. It helps
to be reminded. Oftentimes, a new
perspective on a familiar topic can
make a difference. Use the meetings
as a mechanism to grow professionally.
Always be courteous during these
meetings. Keep in mind that in the
same way that we plan for the school
year, your administration has worked
diligently to prepare and give vital
information and material to us. The
After The Bell
more we know, the more we can grow!
Network
Network with other professionals
who are in your field of expertise.
Networking allows you to have a pool
of human resource that you can rely on
and share with in order to grow more in
your profession. Don’t merely collect
numbers and emails to only use when
you need a favour. Develop meaningful
relationships with the people in your
network and be prepared to share
your knowledge and expertise too!
Be a Team Player
Connect with your work colleagues.
Build relationships. It takes an entire
team to make the school year a
successful one. Becoming part of the
team calls for volunteering and being
up for the challenge. Follow through on
tasks that you are responsible for and
encourage your team members to be
equally responsible. Everything works
better, when we all work together!
Pace yourself, network, plan ahead
and relax. The academic year can
be one that you cruise through with
ease. However, you have to invest in
your health, your colleagues, your
administration, the students, parents
and the school community, to have
a strong, successful and supportive
experience. With a bit of enthusiasm
and effort the results will be most
rewarding!