Posts in Management
24 Helpful Resources for Promoting Teacher Self Care

As a teacher, it is easy to become overwhelmed by all there is to do at school at home. Without intentionally creating boundaries, the responsibilities of teaching can easily consume you.

This school year, let’s make a commitment to change. Let’s commit to caring for ourselves and creating a better work life balance.

Here are 24 self care resources that include tips for getting started with self care, self care strategies for the classroom, and mindfulness books for teachers.

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How to Create Better Work Life Balance as a Teacher

With the start of the school year, it’s difficult to let go of the carefree days of summer for the busyness that going back to school brings. While finding a balance between work and life is difficult for many, it’s particularly difficult for teachers, whose work is not over when the final bell rings.

What should overworked teachers do to help balance the demands of the classroom with the demands of home, and hopefully manage to find some “me” time in between? Here are just a few tips to begin mastering home and school life balance.


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Seven Simple Ways to Practice Self Care This Year

Teacher self care is simply the intentional practice of caring for yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Teachers often find themselves guilty of trying to do it all while neglecting their own care. This is especially true during hectic periods such as back to school, before and after breaks, and at the end of the school year.

Taking time to protect your own well-being benefits not only you, but everyone around you. That includes your students. This year, make it a goal to prioritize self care. Here are seven simple ways to get started.

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7 Simple Ways to Connect with Difficult Students

Teachers love their students. It’s how we’re made. We have hearts built for teaching with room inside for all kinds of students. Yes, even the difficult ones. We love all of our students and want the best for them.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy to connect with all of our students.

Connecting with difficult students, those who challenge us in many ways, isn’t easy. But it is essential. When you succeed in building connections with your difficult students, the reward is huge.

Over the years, I’ve taught my share of difficult students. Just like you. I tried new ways to be proactive and avoid meltdowns or disruptions before they happened, Just like you. I worked hard at creating a positive and supportive environment for those students and sought out support for both the students and myself. Just like I hope you do.

We all need support. We also need proven strategies and methods to help us reach even the most difficult students.

Today, I’m sharing seven simple but effective things I’ve done to build connections with those students who challenged me the most.

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Here’s How to Boost Virtual Student Engagement

In order for learning to happen, students must be engaged. Engaging students during instruction can be a challenge, even for the best teacher. This is especially true during virtual learning. But there are ways to engage students during distance learning. Megan, a 15-year veteran, is here to share four ways she’s found to keep her students motivated and excited about their learning even while learning virtually.

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How to Improve Virtual Student Accountability

Holding students accountable for assigned work can be difficult, especially during distance learning. Virtual teachers spend a great deal of time every week tracking down students who miss class meetings, fail to turn in assignments, or submit incomplete work.

Sarah Huler is a virtual 4th grade teacher in North Carolina. After being frustrated with students’ lack of accountability during distance learning, she decided to create her own solution. Because so many of you are experiencing the same frustration, I’ve asked her to share her solution with you today.

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How to Support Your ELLs in Distance Learning

Do you have English Language Learners in your classroom? Are you looking for ways to support ELLs while teaching virtually? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

I’ve asked ShaQuina Stanley, who is an ELL Case Manager, to share her best tips for supporting ELLs during distance learning. And she did not disappoint. Get ready to learn all about how to incorporate ELL accommodations, instructional strategies for ELLs, breaking misconceptions about ESLs, and ways to build connections with ELLs and ESLs.

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Do You Need Help with Virtual Behavior Management?

Just like in a brick and mortar classroom, all teachers need to set behavior expectations for students while teaching virtually. This might seem overwhelming at first, but several teachers have found ways to manage the transition from face-to-face instruction to distance learning.

Kayla, a third grade teacher from North Carolina, has found one system that works well for both in person instruction and virtual learning. Today she’s sharing with you her best tip for online classroom management

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How to Engage Families in Distance Learning

Engaging students’ families during distance learning can be a challenge. Various work schedules, learning systems, and means of communication can make it difficult to connect with parents and guardians. However, there are a few simple ways to encourage family involvement even while teaching virtually.

I’ve invited Emily Levine, a third grade teacher, to share her ways of boosting parent involvement during distance learning. As always, I encourage you to choose one that works best for you and your particular students.

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Three Easy Ways to Improve Virtual Teaching

After several months of distance learning, teachers have found ways of making virtual teaching easier. Implementing systems such as simple morning starters and efficient grading can make your job easier and reduce your overall workload.

I’ve invited Monica, an Upper Elementary teacher from Los Angeles, to share the tips she’s learned for making virtual teaching easier.

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How to Convert PDFs to Digital Resources Easily

If you’re like me, you love using the “classic” paper and pencil work in the classroom. I don’t mean worksheets, per se, but having students write on paper for assignments. I like digital materials too, but for me I have always liked having students work on paper.

Unfortunately, the pandemic and our new world of virtual teaching has made that nearly impossible. Now, everything is digital, from math tests to writing prompts.

What if we don’t have those materials readily available?

Guess what? You do!

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Three Simple Ways to Improve Communication with Families

Three Simple Ways to Improve Communication with Families | One of the best ways to improve relationships with your students is to build strong connections with their families. With all there is to do, this can be difficult to do. Here are three simple ways to make it work. | everythingjustso.org #parentcommunication #classroommanagement #upperelementary

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Support Struggling Students with Powerful Mentor Meetings

Building personal connections is one of the most important components of being a successful teacher. When students know you care, they are more apt to listen to and learn from you. This is especially true for students who are struggling. Mentor Meetings is one classroom management strategy that really works. Partnering students with adults who care is a great way to encourage, build trust, and extend a student’s community. | everythingjustso.org

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How to Improve Student Relationships Through Simple Writing

How to Improve Student Relationships Through Simple Writing | Communication, like in any relationship, is key to building a positive classroom community. Although we know it’s important, finding the time to talk authentically with students can be difficult. However, there are a few strategies that build relationships with students and make a big impact in classroom behavior. These three classroom management strategies (and free writing resources) are simple and are sure to improve behavior management in any classroom. | everythingjustso.org

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The Ultimate Way to Paint with Absolutely Zero Mess

Do you love painting projects, but hate the mess? Finally! A way to keep arts and crafts in the classroom without the mess! Learn about the best way to paint with zero mess.

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