School, already …

Photo By – Ron Lach

“Rest when you are weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then go back to work.”

Ralph Marston

The summer holidays are streaking through January. The days are moving through the stars of Capricorn and Aquarius.

Where did the holidays go?

Did you find time to refresh and renew yourself? It is easier to write and speak of how to refresh and renew. There are a variety of self-help books to read to smooth and guide mediative practices, retreats, and holiday packages – all seemingly accessible, attractive, and appropriate for every soul. That is in the moments shared between family, friends, and community celebrations. Are your summer days drifting away or are your summer dreams ripped at the seam?

Shoo bop bop, shoo bop bop.
Shoo bop bop, shoo bop bop.
Shoo bop bop, yeah!
But ah! Oh, the summer nights…

If you are singing along shuffle next to ‘Greased Lightning’

Numerous studies have identified that teachers spend 20-25% of holiday time working. This is not news to any teacher or school leader. This is a sharp reminder that the workload of teachers is more than increasing release time, reducing paperwork or a pay increase.

How many days did it take for you to relax after school finished?

It is important not to conflate the busy family celebrations across December and into January.

It is important to try and identify the moments you captured to refresh and renew yourself.

Teaching is a tough job. Leading and managing a school is a tough job.

Starting at a new school brings excitement, trepidation, and professional challenges. This is attractive for some while others are content, perhaps resigned to rolling up for another year into a comfortable and known routine.

It is around this time of year that the gutter media launch into their annual teacher bashing about all the holiday time that teachers get. I often wonder who writes that sort of jibber and garbage or whose purpose it serves.

I don’t know of a teacher or school leader who finishes the school year in December and then not thinks about, reflects upon, or starts to prepare for school until January 27!

Perhaps now is the time to think about planning for your professional growth in 2024.

Now is the time to plan the strategies that you can apply during Term 1 to grow a healthy work/life balance.

You deserve it!