Finding Balance and Organization in Work As An Educator
As I enter my sixth year of teaching, I step into a space of reflection, love, care, and responsibility for my well-being.
Being an educator, especially at Detroit Prep, is such a gift. Being an educator also carries a profound responsibility. A responsibility to student well-being, academic growth, and ongoing partnership with families. A responsibility to students’ socio-emotional development, data management and collection, planning, and adjusting your planning along the way.
Due to this grave responsibility, it is pivotal to maintain balance and sustainability within this profession to be able to show up for your best self for your students, and also yourself.
Two ways that have sustained me personally and professionally are organizational systems and healthy habits/boundaries.
Organizational Systems:
Weekly Professional Organizational System
One way I’ve found support and sustainability within the teaching profession is through a weekly organization toolkit. Once I am settled into my routine, I create a weekly organizational checklist that supports me in maintaining focus on daily tasks and focusing my energy on high priority items daily! I create space in this organizational system to house anything that comes to mind.
Strong Classroom Organizational Systems/Routines
Another way I’ve found support and sustainability within the teaching profession is through strong systems and routines within my classroom space. Thanks to my amazing coaching and development at Detroit Prep, I’ve learned the importance of strong classroom management systems not only for student safety and wellbeing but also the educators. Creating a classroom culture, space, and environment of shared responsibility, ownership, and management is key. Students taking the lead on managing our classroom community is essential to ensuring balance and a sense of ease weekly!
Healthy Habits & Boundaries:
Another way I’ve been able to find balance within the teaching profession is through healthy habits & boundaries.
Habit/Boundary: Movement and exercise have been essential to my well-being as a teacher! Implementing a routine of movement before work (ideally) daily has supported my mental health.
Habit/Boundary: Clearing my inbox daily has supported in any mental clutter and has allowed me to ensure that I feel organized and sustained! Implementing a boundary within email or professional communication has also supported my well-being. I do my best to check or respond to emails between the hours of 7:45-5pm and work technology is away so I can connect with my community and family!
I recognize as I share this reflection and the tools that have supported my sustainability and balance as an educator, that these are my experience and mine alone and other educators and people within the work have also found ways to sustain themselves in this work. I’m grateful for my mentors and peers that have supported (and continue to support) me along the way to ensure I am grounded in joy, purpose, and balance.