Mindful Monday: It's a Marathon, Not a Race

As educators, we tend to power through and do what needs to be done. Often we stay late, take work home, and work on the weekends. I would fancy a guess that many of us feel like we must do it all. And let's face it, there is ALWAYS something to be done. As soon as we may feel like we are semi-caught up, a new week starts and the to-do list begins again.

We're only 8 days in, and it feels like it's been a month! 

Please, please remember that this is a marathon, not a race. It's still early in the school year. Be kind to yourself, and set up boundaries now. Literally schedule time to recharge. Set aside time to rest and relax. I would argue that ensuring you are getting enough sleep each night trumps grading papers or staying up late to search pinterest for that perfect lesson idea. I mean it. Set reminders on your phone to do something that's important to you like reading, taking a walk, listening to a podcast, or writing in your gratitude journal. Block out time on your calendar, and honor it. It's easy for school to take over your life if you let it. So be sure to make yourself a priority this year. If you don't, who will? 

When thinking about what self care may look like for you this year, consider the 7 different types of rest we all need. It is only when you are at your best that you can bring the best version of yourself for the students we serve. 

Mindful Monday: Your Best is Enough!

There is no tired like teacher tired!

Not sure about you, but I'm exhausted! Like down to my bones type tired. All the while, my heart is so full! The first week of school is always the best. There is so much excitement in the air, all the newness, the endless possibilities, the idea that this year can be anything we want it to be. 

And as exciting as the idea that this may very well be our best year yet, it can be a little daunting. However, it doesn't need to be. Your best is all we ask. Not better than the teacher down the hall. Not better than the teacher who seems to have it all together (and I assure you- they don't). Simply... YOUR BEST! 

And guess what? That doesn't mean perfection. It doesn't mean that you'll never make mistakes or have bad days. It does NOT mean working 12 hour days or every weekend. In fact, it's quite the opposite. 

Your best is not giving up when it gets hard. Your best is owning up to a mistake. It's coming back the next day when the day before was tough. Your best is knowing that you don't have to do it all and asking for help when needed. It's finding ways to pour into yourself so that you can be the best version of yourself. It's loving our students day after day through their ups and downs.  Giving your best is not easy, but our students are worth our best each and every day. 

If you take anything away from today's message, I hope you know your best is enough because you are enough! 

Mindful Monday: What's Normal Anyways?

I am starting the year with mixed emotions, and I'd imagine that many of you may be as well.

I am absolutely excited for the new school year. I am beyond stoked that most of our students will be back in person. But at the same time, I am having some serious PTSD. Infection rates are on the rise. Masks aren't going away any time soon, and social distancing doesn't seem to be as far in the past like we might have hoped it would be by now.

I'm not going to lie, when we left at the end of May, I totally expected this year to be "back to normal", at least for the most part. And the fact that the phrase "this is our new normal" has become the mantra, is completely disheartening. 

What's "normal" anyways? 

While I may be emotionally over masks, fist bumps and the overuse of hand sanitizer, I assure you, there are some things that have not changed. There are some things that are not new. There are some parts of our "old" normal that will continue to be a part of our "new" normal.

With the first day of school just days away, some of my favorite things are just around the corner. Things like, the sound of kids laughing in the hallways, the nervous excitement of students meeting their teachers and seeing their friends again, and all the proud parents watching their child walk into the building only to realize they are literally witnessing their child grow up before their eyes. 

Regardless if this year is "normal" or not, some things will never change. You will continue to be the constant for our students. Your encouragement, your support, your second and third chances will be invaluable for our students.  Your acknowledgements, your patience, and your smile (even behind the mask) makes all the difference. 

Here's to an AMAZING first day and to rocking this year! Here's to a year where our students feel loved, safe and rise to the occasion ...all because of YOU!