Here’s a great article on the Phases of First Year Teachers, however, I went through these phases as an experienced teacher and still now as a principal. The difference is that I know to expect these different phases of the year, and that I will make it through each one. I don’t know about you, but I don’t even need to look at this image below to know that we’re at the “survival” point of the school year.

The key to the survival phase is to make sure that you are taking care of yourself, because you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first. I appreciate the thoughtful time you are putting into preparing for report cards & Parent/Teacher Conferences and that you will have great conversations with your students’ parents to inform and involve them in their child’s learning. I realize this means you have many late nights ahead of you in the weeks ahead, so please make sure to make time for yourselves to relax or do whatever it is that you do to rejuvenate!

Some other great tips to avoid teacher burnout include:
-Ask for help
-Don’t sweat the small stuff
-Don’t play the teacher at home
-Take time for yourself
-Remember why you teach

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, November 4th
Vision & Hearing Exams
Buddy Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (Room 109)
Parent Teacher Collaboration Committee Meeting @ 6:00pm (Art Studio)

Tuesday, November 5th
Celebrations Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 104)
Mentor Meeting @ 3:45pm (LMS)
Community Forum @ 6:00pm (LMS)

Wednesday, November 6th
Vision & Hearing Exams
PATS/PreK Thanksgiving Feast in cafeteria (2:00pm-3:30pm)
Report Card Common Plan Time

Thursday, November 7th
Vision & Hearing Exams
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, November 8th
Vision & Hearing Exams
Union Breakfast in teacher’s lounge
Parent/Teacher Conference Schedules due to the office!
Dress Rehearsal (2nd & 3rd grade only) for Veterans’ Day Performance (@ LMS)
AM PreK to Washington School for Buddies Activity @ 9:10am