Wow! So much has happened in our world over the last few weeks! In just the last few days my province, Alberta, has seen school closures due to the Coronavirus (COVID19) and many other provinces are or have closed their schools. Teachers are needing support and wellness more than ever, as they transition to working remotely with the expectation of still delivering some kind of curriculum through distance/online learning.
Several of my former colleagues have been hustling to pull together what that will look like, and for many there are steep learning curves as they must now learn about educational technology and tools they can use to aide the delivery of their lessons.
As educators who are going online settle into their "new normal", they will find that their own wellness will become paramount, as they begin to see how lonely it can be on a day-to-day basis without that personal connection. One of the best things about teaching is being with the kids in the classroom and the banter, laughter, joking and learning that takes place. I offer a few tips about wellness for teachers new to this style of work.
1. Do you believe in the idea that looking good = feeling good? There is absolutely something to be said for that, but don't stress about it if you want a few extra winks of sleep one morning. Sometimes you can allow yourself to be in pajama bottoms - just don't stand up in the middle of your video conferencing with students, and don't do it all the time.
2. Have a bottle of water always! Remember to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated! Enjoy your morning coffee too, but don't forget to eat - coffee is not breakfast/lunch/dinner. Nourish your body as well as your soul in these tough times.
3. Get up from your computer and take breaks. If you aren't giving instruction and are there for kids to ask questions when they have them, shut down your video and mute yourself. As long as you can hear when one of your students pipes up, take a break, get up and give yourself a brain break.
4. Listen to music when you can.
5. Set your times - it is way too easy to work, and work, and work. Set a time to be done and walk away. Close your office door, shut your computer down, walk away.
Stay well, an stay safe out there. Most of all, #BeWellEDU.
Several of my former colleagues have been hustling to pull together what that will look like, and for many there are steep learning curves as they must now learn about educational technology and tools they can use to aide the delivery of their lessons.
As educators who are going online settle into their "new normal", they will find that their own wellness will become paramount, as they begin to see how lonely it can be on a day-to-day basis without that personal connection. One of the best things about teaching is being with the kids in the classroom and the banter, laughter, joking and learning that takes place. I offer a few tips about wellness for teachers new to this style of work.
1. Do you believe in the idea that looking good = feeling good? There is absolutely something to be said for that, but don't stress about it if you want a few extra winks of sleep one morning. Sometimes you can allow yourself to be in pajama bottoms - just don't stand up in the middle of your video conferencing with students, and don't do it all the time.
2. Have a bottle of water always! Remember to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated! Enjoy your morning coffee too, but don't forget to eat - coffee is not breakfast/lunch/dinner. Nourish your body as well as your soul in these tough times.
3. Get up from your computer and take breaks. If you aren't giving instruction and are there for kids to ask questions when they have them, shut down your video and mute yourself. As long as you can hear when one of your students pipes up, take a break, get up and give yourself a brain break.
4. Listen to music when you can.
5. Set your times - it is way too easy to work, and work, and work. Set a time to be done and walk away. Close your office door, shut your computer down, walk away.
Stay well, an stay safe out there. Most of all, #BeWellEDU.
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