The Time Between

The time between holidays is a magical? wonderous? exhausting time. Yep, tiring. The kids have early-onset cabin fever. You've got a gazillion things to accomplish, both in school and out. It can be tough! So here are some tips and resources to get you through until our holiday break.

Keep those Bad Kermits at bay

Stay tuned in - All that stuff we teach our kids about acknowledging emotions and listening to our bodies works for you, too. If you're feeling an unpleasant emotion, take a few minutes to explore why that it. Get to the root of the problem by inviting your inner therapist/coach/good angel/whatever to ask, "Why?" Keep inquiring and answering the questions until you get to the thing that intuitively feels like it's triggering you. Once you diagnose the issue, you can identify a strategy to address it. Here's a cool article about harnessing your internal dialogue, if you'd like to learn more.

Maintain routines - "Belief in one’s ability to exert control over the environment and to produce desired results is essential for an individual’s well being. It has been repeatedly argued that the perception of control is not only desirable, but it is likely a psychological and biological necessity." You've worked hard this semester to implement classroom routines and procedures. You *will* have to revisit these with your kids during this in-between season. It's completely normal and OK to take a day for this! You also need routine in your life. How can you provide yourself order? A weekly class? A regular meditation? Making time for your favorite hobby? Shutting and locking the classroom door between classes so you can get a few minutes to yourself each day? 

Dang, I miss this show!

Accentuate the positive - I know I talk constantly about positive reinforcement, but that's because it works. It works SO WELL. I've personally seen scores of kids turn it around simply because I was a warm demander who acknowledged their efforts. But you don't have to take my word for it. Check out this article or this one. This works for teachers, too. How often do you take time to reflect on the 3 Good Things you've done that day? Or 3 Good Things about working with kids? Or 3 Good Things you notice about your body? 

Make sure your expectations are appropriate - Middle school friends, you will probably not be able to get your squirrelly kids to sit still and be quiet for a whole-group discussion. High school folks, your kids might sit still, but they are likely zoned out. The absolute greatest thing about being a non-profit person in a school is that you can work with it. You don't have state standards. You're not on the big spring tests. Play basketball or soccer! Do teambuilders! Bake cookies (yes, I did this - it was a germ-laden hoot)! Watch a music video! Have a joke contest! Play Kahoot! Be careful to continue holding kids accountable, though. This isn't a free for all and you should be able to get through a few lessons. Like everything else, this applies to you, too. Determine what you can let go of while also maintaining a high level of professionalism.

I never know how to end these things, so goodnight and good luck.