Have you taken time to look back on what went well this year? Marking our own successes is a great practice. We’re so good at seeing what went wrong, and not so good at celebrating the good. So take a few minutes to do that—and then look ahead.
It’s time for New Year’s resolutions. What will you do to make 2019 a better year or the year of a better you?
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10 New Years resolutions for teachers in 2019
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Get organized
Tired of being late or trying to cram things in at the last minute? A little planning—and a good way to track what needs to be done—go a long way. Take some time to plan for the month ahead. Then each week get super focused on what needs to get done when. My favorite tool for planning is the Erin Condren Life Planner, but I know planners can be kind of personal. Check out these suggestions for teacher planners.
2. Drink enough water
Most people don’t drink enough water, and I know I often don’t at school. But with hydration important for health and feeling good, it’s a good goal—and not that hard to implement. Start your day with a glass of warm lemon water before your coffee or tea. Sip herbal tea (a good travel mug will keep it hot for you) or carry a water bottle so you have water handy throughout the day.
3. Move more
Gym memberships go up in January. If that’s your thing, go for it, but if getting to the gym for a workout feels tough, commit to moving more. You’re on your feet all day, so try using a Fitbit or other tracker to give yourself credit for all the steps you take. Or bring movement into your classroom with transition time dance parties or add some active brain breaks into the mix.
4. Have a healthy lunch
Pack yourself a healthy lunch every day. I know mornings are hectic trying to get out the door, so try being more organized (see resolution #1) by making a meal plan for lunches. You can even pack most things the night before. Get an insulated lunch bag you love to carry. (This world map lunch bag is cool!) Pack it—and eat!
5. Be prepared
Tired of scrambling to have homework ready every day? Make this the year you are prepared. Get yourself the Fun Phonics Homework to Last the Year bundle—the name says it all. Imagine not having to create phonics homework all year. Want to be prepared for math too? Check out the Bumper Book of Fun Math Games and Activities to help you prepare for math homework or in class activities.
6. Stress less
We could all use less stress. How about a little meditation? Download soothing sounds or even a guided meditation. A few minutes each day can make a difference. Or try some 10-minute mindfulness practices. You can even bring more mindfulness into class as well.
7. Break out of ruts
Ever feel like you are in a rut at home or in school? Try something new. It can be as simple as taking a different route home or having breakfast for dinner and soup for breakfast. If you’re more inspired, take a class to learn something new. Bring a bunch of new resources into your classroom or add some games to liven up lessons. Shake things up this year, whether it’s a bunch of little shifts that move you toward something new or big bold changes. Get out of that rut!
8. Read more
Read to learn or read to relax. Either way, it’s something I want to do more of. Whether you read physical books, do it on a Kindle or phone or listen to audiobooks. It all counts! Set a reading goal for the year. Or just grab a book and enjoy.
9. Declutter
It feels so good to declutter and organize your stuff. Take some time to get rid of things that don’t work or don’t work in your classroom. Then make sure everything has a home. Ready to declutter and up your classroom organization? Here are 10 tips to have a more organized classroom.
10. Better work-life balance
Better work-life balance is a great resolution for almost every teacher I know. Try these ideas for improving teacher work-life balance. With so much to do, it’s a challenge, but it’s possible to get better. Why not go for it in the new year?
What are your resolutions for 2019? Do you have any specifically related to teaching? Share in the comments.
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