I think this might be one of the least discussed, possibly most important, aspects of teacher preparation: learning to pace yourself on the job.
Student teachers study curriculum, classroom management, and other basics but how much time is dedicated to helping future teachers manage time and manage themselves? We know burnout in the profession is high; working on your feet all day, keeping up with students, planning for lessons, handling the pressures of paperwork, parents, school district and school-level policies and bureaucracy, test scores; just reading the list can be exhausting.
Whenever I work with student teachers in their final semester, I always have a heart-to-heart talk with them about learning to pace themselves. This is the right time since, in the program where I serve as a supervisor, the student teachers are required to spend five day a week teaching under the mentorship of an experienced teacher. They quickly see the need to discuss managing time and their own health and well-being.
During this conversation, I touch on the following:
Pacing yourself, in essence, is about finding a schedule and work style that personally works for you and your teaching position. It’s not about trying to work longer hours and keep up with colleagues. It’s also about taking care of yourself, staying rested and healthy, so that you are fresher and brighter for your students each day.
|
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and receive
top education news, lesson ideas, teaching tips and more!
No thanks, I don't need to stay current on what works in education!
COPYRIGHT 1996-2016 BY EDUCATION WORLD, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
COPYRIGHT 1996 - 2024 BY EDUCATION WORLD, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.