There can be very few people who won’t be glad to see the back of 2020. We’ve lived through a pandemic and two national lockdowns, and witnessed far too many heinous acts of violence in the world.
We lost loved ones far too soon, andwejust about made it through one of the most challenging terms ever experienced in our careers.
At this time of year, we are usually filled with optimism and hope, as we see out the old year and welcome in the new.This year, though, we seem to be starting 2021knowing that thereare furtherchallenges ahead- beginning withstaggered starts to the newterm,Ի schools becoming Covid-testing hubs for pupils.
Coronavirus: Five new year’s resolutions for teachers
It has never been more important for us toplan to makepositive changes in our professional lives, so that we can bemoreproductiveat work without burning ourselves out.
Here are five suggestions thatmighthelp ustoprepare for the uncertain times ahead.
1.Remember your why
Never lose sight of what it was that motivated you to enter the teaching profession. Many of us feel driven by giving children the very best start in life, and helping young people to survive and thrive.
As we prepare to return to schools in January, let’s remember that some of the mostvaluablelessonsour children learnwill never feature on our lesson plans. We are helping them toprepare forfuture living,by enabling them tobecomeresponsible and resilient global citizens.
With challenging times aheadin education, it will be more important than everfor teacherstoremember ourwhy: wereally do make a difference, every single day.
2.Work shorter days
Long gone are the days when teacherswere deemedheroes because they werethe last to leave the school building each day. Thankfully, working ourselves into the groundis no longer consideredto beabadge of honour.
It will be important for us to adopt working practices that allowusto spend time with friends and family - and toinvest our knowledge, time, energy,Ի resources effectively, so thatwecan achieveour goals more productivelyand healthilyin 2021.
3.Break some teacher habits
The most demoralising words we can hear as teachers are: “We’ve always done it this way.”
But, if we reflect on our own practice,how much of what we do hasmerely becomea habit?Whether it’s reviewing our assessment and feedback schedules, relaunching our behaviour expectations, or reflecting on diversifying our teaching to meet the needs of our learners, let’s take the time to evaluate our practice in January.
And let’s make positive changestoreduce unnecessary workload,breakingsomeof our teacherhabitsthis year.
5.Reducepresenteeism
If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it is that our health matters.How many times have we forced ourselves into work witha horrid flu we couldn’t shift, because we felt guilty about the impactourabsencewould haveon our pupils and colleagues?
Working when we should be at homein our beds results in further exhaustion and poorer productivity. So,let’s be more confident about taking the time we need to refuel in 2021. After all, an empty tank will get us nowhere.
5.Know your worth
Teachersareincredible: they areresponsible for creating every other profession there is.
Always know the valuable role you play in your classrooms, schools, and in wider society.Make2021the year you realise your potential.
Invest in yourselfnextyear: if you’ve been thinking about studying for another qualification,if you’ve been feelingtemptedto apply for that promotion, orif you’ve been putting off having that conversation about asking to work flexibly, be brave and do all you can to make things happen for you in 2020.
May 2021 bring you happiness and joy, and the strength to navigate whatever challenges may come our way.
In the words of CS Lewis, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”Wishing teachers everywhere a very happyand healthynew year.
Sarah Mullin is a deputy headteacher and doctor of education student. She is the curator of “What They Didn’t Teach Me on My PGCE”, and the founder of #EduTeacherTips, a YouTube channel for teachers, by teachers.She tweets
