Page 86: Establishing a good work life balence
Welcome back for a slightly different post. Still talking about work but not quite education, today I will be discussing how I manage to do it all - a question I often get asked!
Maybe since I am in the profession and grew up with parents in the profession but I believe it is pretty well known that teachers have a lot to do. Contrary to popular belief - we do not work 9-3 strolling in and out and taking an hour for lunch .... There is planning, lesson preparation, marking, assessment, data ... a pretty long list. All things that I love do. These things make as good teachers so we can enjoy our '9-3 ish' teaching but as I am sure you can imagine it is a lot to do in not so much time.
As I am now heading a year and a half into the progression my relationship with work life balence has most definitely approved. Being kicked out most nights at 6pm by the caretaker have mostly come to an end, and I spend much more of my weekends taking time of myself and being with family and friends (over just working). Every week is different and I do not always get it right, however, I have made working changes so here are some things I do to ensure I excel to the best of my ability as a teacher, but also have a life too!
1. Establish a good pre/post work routine
To be most effective in my working hours, I have established firm routines. I am an early riser and would call myself a morning person. I get into work for 7:30 am. This gives me 30 minutes that I can use for extra planning, marking, assessment, data etc, before 8am where I start my classroom and continuous provision set up. This adds up to 2 and a half hours (in some cases eradicating this on the weekend). With busy working mornings and days, after school is time for myself. Most of the time (this isn't always possible but when I can) I stay and do all my work in work so when i'm home it is switch off time. I enjoy exercising and specifically running. I try and ensure at least 3 weekday runs a week dedicating this time for myself. Prioritising some me time supports my work life balence.
2. One early / one late night
I set myself the goal of one early, one late night challenge throughout the week. Monday is the start of the week, I am able to reflect on my first day of teaching, enhance and make any adaptations and I am more energised from the weekend. I class Monday as my late night and allow myself to stay for this (up till 6pm). Resulting from this, on a Friday, I tend to leave a little earlier (around 4). I tidy up, print next weeks planning and head home. This leaves Tuesday-Thursday, where I tend to leave around 5pm. This routine works well for me, it enables me to do little classroom based work at home and allows recovery time so I am well fuelled and rested for the next day.
3. Teamwork
I work in a two form entry school. This means I have a partner teacher. This really helps with workload management and planning. We are able to keep each other motivated, draw on our individual strengths, bounce ideas from one another and spilt the planning and lesson resource preparation. Using and supporting your colleagues is a great tool - you do not always need to reinvent the wheel. Even working in a small one form entry school, the previous teacher of your year will have a wealth of knowledge and resources I am sure they would be more than keen to share.
4. Network
Networking is one of this years educational buzz words. Networks are groups of individuals that come together to share knowledge and expertise. They for from phases, to year groups, ECT's, headteacher's to curriculum subjects etc. Sharing and talking to others (from outside your setting too) is a fantastic took of support.
5. Say no
It is okay to say no (this does not make you any worse at your job) to something extra that is not in your day - day expectation. If your workload and wellbeing is feeling constrained, talk to management, address the problem, do not bury yourself deeper underground.
Leaving it pretty short and sweet, I hope you find these tips useful and be adapted to establishing a work life balence across any profession.
- Miss Yeoman.
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