Welcome To The 2020-2021 School Year

Welcome Back Educators

Welcome to an exciting school year with the DeKalb County School District. We are excited to be trailblazing alternative learning for our students as we support them through a global pandemic. Although I know that you all have been working hard and are excited to share your time and talents with your students, please be sure to take time to unplug, meditate, and prepare yourself for a positive start to the school year on Monday. Please consider reviewing the tips below to reminded of healthy mental health practices. 

Mindfulness and Self-Care for Teachers During Remote Learning

Develop Beginning-Of-Day and End-Of-Day Routines

In the morning, this could mean turning on all the lamps, opening the blinds, and making a cup of coffee. When the day is over, reverse the routine: Close the blinds and turn off the lamps. You may find that the physical act of closing your laptop or moving it onto a shelf, into a drawer, or back into its bag is a signal to end the working day. If you have a home office with a door, close the door and walk away.

Check Email and Notifications at Designated Times

The first week of school will be filled with massive amounts of emails and notifications. It is important to establish an end of the time day to reply to emails and silence notifications. Making these times known to others helps to diminish miscommunication.

Focus on the Task in Front of You

Mute notifications on other devices, email accounts, etc. while you work on specific assignments or tasks so that you can focus. Set a timer for how long you plan to work on each task and move on to the next task. Be flexible with yourself and adjust your schedule to fit your needs. 

Add Screen-Free Breaks Throughout the Day

Giving yourself a break from screens--both work related and news related--can be refreshing. Schedule a walk outside or playtime with a pet. It is also highly encouraged that you have a screen free lunch daily. 

Find Space For Something That You Love

Carve out time to listen to music, Facetime a friend, exercise, complete a puzzle, or work on a piece of art. If you Stay in contact with family and friends by using video conference tools like Zoom, Google Hangout, Skype, WhatsApp, and FaceTime. Video meetings are better than a phone call—when you have a good connection—because you can see the people. Communication is more than voice—it benefits from facial expressions and other visual cues.

If Your Mental Health Will Improve; Schedule One Day to Work Late

Perhaps planning on Monday evenings will help you prepare for the week, or maybe working later on Fridays would clear your mind to enjoy the weekend. Negotiate with yourself, if needed: I’ll work later on Monday and spend all of Tuesday after 4pm playing backyard games with my family.

Incorporate Mindful Practices Into Your Routine

Using a mindfulness app may help signal to your brain that it’s time to reset. Even five minutes of mindful breathing can work like a Zamboni for the brain, clearing out clutter and allowing thoughts to resettle. Most mindful apps have both guided meditations and timers to help, and there are plenty of free options, such as Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer.

Recognize That Being A Robot Does Not Make You The Best Version of Yourself 

Taking breaks and setting boundaries for work hours and non-work hours will breathe more life into your teaching practice. Many teachers are parents or spouses, and, just as the teacher-student relationship needs attention, those relationships deserve care, too.

Many teachers report feeling guilty while working from home, whether because they can’t help students as much as they could previously, don’t feel they’re fully investing in their own children, or don’t have patience for others because their fuses are short. The best we can do right now is to give ourselves grace and reflect that grace onto others. Part of that requires clear communication: Ask for what you need from others (including administration), help others when you can, and remember that needs differ from person to person. Setting boundaries is one form of resilience that will help long into the future.