In this article, Vicky Davis the Cool Cat Teacher puts forth some important advice as all of us sneak up on the upcoming school year. I think this advice is helpful whether one is in the classroom or just taking classes and juggling life.
She suggests to make lists, plan ahead and most importantly, take care of oneself. That final bit of advice is probably last on most people's lists. It certainly was for me until two heart surgeries early this summer made me rethink what was most important. It is most important that we are here. So I tell myself that I need to make choices, doing it all is not a choice. So for all the super ideas and tools I have been given, I must choose which ones will benefit the class and will be realistic for me to create and manage.
I think Cool Cat Teacher said it best: "There comes a point at which all you can do is all you can do." (8/1/2011). I might only add, so make it your best!
Original article can be found at: http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2011/08/beginning-school-year-well-starts-with.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CoolCatTeacherBlog+%28Cool+Cat+Teacher+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
I agree that we have learned a lot in the last year of effective and fun ways to integrate technology in the classroom, but in order to not burden ourselves and our families we must choose what we thin will provide the greatest impact and work from there.
ReplyDeleteI know that starting the year off well means pacing, doing what is important at the time, and placing things on the back burner. Thanks for the reminder!
Yes, Ann, you have to take care of yourself because if you don't take care of yourself you won't be here to take care of others.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of a quote from Tony Blair that says "The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes." Often I think we continue to say "oh yes, I can do that" even though we know we already have enough on our plates. So, we keep pushing ourselves and not taking the time to just breathe.
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ReplyDelete"Care, but not that much". This is what a good friend once told me and I must say, it really helped me put things in perspective. Taking care of ourselves and taking care of our family are the two most important jobs that we have.
ReplyDeleteNice post Anne.