Life as a teacher can be hectic on any level of the educational ladder, whether you are a teacher in Jamaica or somewhere else in the world. This is especially true for teachers who serve in other capacities at school, at home and even in their communities. Even without much added responsibility, the tasks of a teacher can keep you on your toes – way past school hours! So, how can Jamaican teachers reclaim their ‘me-time’ and strike that ever elusive balance between school and ‘work-to-rule’?
Teachers, Talk to Teachers!
That was a command, if I dare say. Truly, when you speak to other teachers about having a full plate or not yet being able to clearly demarcate your time from school time, a lot of ideas and hacks may surface that you haven’t thought of before.
This is especially true when you talk to teachers who may be more seasoned in the system than you are. Or, perhaps new teachers who are also seeking out that balance and have come up with ideas on their own.
Either way, you might be pleasantly surprised that a time consuming task you’ve been wrestling with for a while – becomes less time consuming because you got some tips on making it less so.
Related Post: Must-Have Outfits for Teachers in Jamaica All Year Round
A Teacher told me so
Take for example this teacher tip I got some time ago. Since schools have long passed the age of paper and pen ONLY, the classic attendance register has also shifted to online databases.
For the first few weeks of teaching and updating the online attendance register, I would click individually on the codes that correspond with the students’ attendance status for the day – then individually update each students’ status.
Man oh man, that was time consuming! At least, not after a teacher told me that I can select a particular option for the codes to be uploaded all at once!
Imagine saving 5 minutes every day for the entire school term! That adds up to time for a quick water break, some time to check in with a loved one, or simply, no overtime and take home work, so – more me-time!
Besides, when teachers talk to other teachers, they quickly realize that many of the challenges they have are common and relatable. This realization can quickly turn anxiety and feelings of inadequacy into feelings of competence and relief.
Teachers, Don’t Re-invent the Wheel!
So, you’ve gone home AGAIN to bury yourself in work that you have painfully started from scratch…
But why? Are there no resources in your department or your network of teacher colleagues? Is there also no prospect of finding templates or even resources online?
So why then are you blurring your time with school time in an effort to re-invent the wheel?
Recommended Post: Guide to Being a New Teacher in Jamaica
Reclaim your time and ask for templates and existing resources. Besides, if you really want to create something from scratch, don’t play hero all night and all weekend!
Pace yourself. Use the time during work hours to put a little work in. Your home is your retreat from the bustle of the day. Don’t turn it into a school office, especially now that the pandemic is over and face-to-face interactions have resumed.
Ignore this bit of advise, and pretty soon its not the wheel that will need re-inventing… it will be you.
Teacher, Establish your Boundaries and Maintain Them
It is unfortunate that some Jamaicans don’t see teachers as professionals, in the sense that they mean ‘business’.
But why is this so? Plenty factors can be cited here but let’s stick to two.
When business places close for the day. They stay closed – so you’d better catch them tomorrow when they are open. Some teachers have parents calling them at odd hours in the evening and into the night! For what! Certainly not your sanity!
Establish your boundary and guard the lines. Explain to your students’ parents that office hours are allocated on your timetable and they should make use of it.
Also, avoid questionable conversations and actions with the students. Sure, your students can like you and be at ease talking to you – but it should NEVER be on the premise that they get too familiar, jeopardizing the professionalism that you ought to bring to the table.
When those two things are avoided, your mind will be at ease. Your character will remain unquestionable. As such, when you get home in the evenings, your boundaries will remain in tact and those professional lines will remain in place. That’s more comfort and me-time for you!
Teachers in Jamaica Should Be Deliberate about Self Care
That’s precisely why this article is highly recommended. It shares some relaxing things to do after an evening of work.
Avoid being so caught up with the marking of papers and the writing of lesson plans that you live sunrise to sunset, Sundays to Sundays buried in your work.
Take time to schedule self care. It is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Read the article above for ideas.
Pace Yourself
This might be easier said than done. Especially when there are plenty class assignments and exam scripts to get through. Have you been tempted to take them all home? You tell yourself you’ll take care of them tonight. Only to tale them back to school in the morning untouched!
That’s not a good way to start your day at all. Try pacing yourself instead.
Perhaps you can commit to marking 5 scripts each day before you go home. Be so serious about it that you actually mark them. Before long, you’ll be almost through. All it takes is some discipline… so pace yourself.
Use the Time at Work – For Work
Its tempting to scroll through your phone, listen music and even snack away in those non contact hours (‘free’ slots on your timetable). However, you’ll find that if you use every inch of your time wisely you’ll get more done, and you’ll be able to maximize on your me-time.
Once you use up the time at work for work, you’ll feel as though you have EARNED the time away from work. On the contrary, if you squander the time during work hours, you may feel compelled and somewhat obligated to ‘make up’ for it by taking home the work – thus, cutting into your me-time.
On the topic of time…
Aim to be punctual. Being early for work and also your classes puts you in charge of your day and shows you take your time seriously too.
The minute you are tardy for work and even classes, you may guilt trip yourself into feeling you need to extend more time on work, whether to catch up or quiet the thoughts that you may have cheated students of their time.
Final Thoughts on how Jamaican Teachers can reclaim their ‘me-time’
Teacher burnout is a real thing. Before I experienced this first hand, perhaps I was never convinced of the fact before.
When each term is done and over with, reflection shows ample possibilities of how things could have been done differently.
Take heed, These tips are life saving tips. Save this article for future reference.
Remember, talk to other teachers to get insights, Don’t reinvent the wheel. There are more than enough materials and even templates that you can utilize to work smarter. Indeed, establish and maintain your boundaries so as to avoid the contempt that familiarity breeds. Always make time for selfcare, its the last thing teachers think of sometimes. It should be the first! Pace yourself, a little effort each day will get the job done. Use your time wisely at work. As a result, you will relish more in yourme time.
Post a Comment: