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Dear Subscriber Name, Happy Monday! Fall is an in-the-middle time; it is all about adjustment and change. Here in Michigan, it is starting to change to fall, but it remains 90 degrees this week. It will stay this warm until mid-September, yet this is how it goes in Michigan each year. Back-to-school and the transition to fall is full of drinking pumpkin spice lattes and driving with the windows down, wearing sweaters in the morning and still reaching for toes-out sandals, falling red leaves and weekend bonfires with s’mores. I am focusing on my giant to-do list this week and embracing the awkwardness of trying to adjust to everything about fall. Last night, I prepared for the week ahead by brain dumping all of the things-big and small-that I needed to get done this week. I’ve named this week, “the week of trying not to be overwhelmed.” Whether you are already back-to-school or if you are preparing for whatever the fall holds, I am sending your to-do list some positivity and patience. This is a week that needs both. My district is doing training online this week, and teachers and staff are preparing for the first day of school with students on Monday, August 31. I find myself caught in between a mix of excitement about learning new things and feeling frozen with the number of tasks that need to get done. I am loving some of the new technology that I am trying for the fall. Some things I am learning now will forever change my teaching. However, I caught myself today not taking a break, sitting down for too long, and getting caught up in trying to “get it all done.” It is so easy to fall back into busy and bad habits. I want to make sure that part of my preparation for the fall, as well as my giant to-do list, is practicing good habits that are about self-care and self-awareness. We’ve got a whole school year to go. What are your favorite ways to prepare for the fall? Here is what I am trying out: Focusing on moving my body first thing in the morning and throughout the day. I think this will help as I begin to feel stiff sitting in front of computer screens. I bought an exercise ball to rotate out with my chair, and movement needs to be part of my morning routine because I know I will fall asleep early next week. Getting excited about trying new things. I am working on a digital notebook syllabus that will include a voiceover recording for families. I am excited that my syllabus won’t be something boring. I am also working on digital composition notebooks, digital reflection binders, and more. Check out SlidesMania for free templates. Checking in with people. I am reaching out to my friends (both teachers and non-teachers) to see how they are doing. I know next week will get busy, and we are all in different stages of shifting to a fall routine. Blocking out my time so I know when I need to stop working. I use bright markers to outline work time in my planner. I am always working at this habit. With the move to online learning, I think it will be all too easy to work for too long.
This week’s journal prompts: “What are my largest tasks I accomplish each week?" "The tasks I dislike doing the most at work are..." "The tasks I like doing the most at work are..." “I am going to take care of myself this week by…” “I am going to look after my family this week by…” “I am going to grow as a professional this week by…”
Brew some coffee or tea, grab a pen or your computer, cozy up with a blanket, and write. Happy reading and writing, Stephanie P.S. You may start noticing that my little blog is getting a redesign with a new logo, new colors, and some new categories. As we move into the fall, keep an eye out for posts about teaching, but also food, family, and finding wellness!
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