Good morning #hacklearning Starr from NY - this is a great topic after coming off a week of jet lag, personal drama and trying to dig myself out of work deficits...
Good morning #hacklearning! I'm Aubrey, an interim director of fine & performing arts in Colorado (where it slowed last night)! Without even knowing it, my blog post this week was on this very topic: https://t.co/OSYKWZURHk
Good morning #HackLearning ... I want to avoid burnout so I’m ready to learn from all of you!
Sylvia, Writing Coach & Reading Teacher @BrandonHSEagles with awesome admin @SparanoBHS & @Mrs_BWWade ... moderator of the slow chat that all are invited to join
Thanks! The best part of my week was the fact that @conniehamilton was staying with me! Always love to spend time with my co-author and sister from another mother #hacklearning
Morning, #hacklearning. I'm Brian. I teach middle-school students English in Colorado -- where, this morning, the setting is more about deep-freeze than burnout.
A1: This comic showed up over the summer and really nailed it for me. When your job is your hobby and your hobby is your job, it's hard to step back and take a break. #hacklearninghttps://t.co/G1eYVaUK7U
A1 It's a lot of things, but mostly the minutia. The day to day frustrations, not taking time for ourselves, putting other people's needs first and then it all builds up #hacklearning
A1 Loss of focus ... loss of passion ... practices that cause us to get lost in the weeds, losing sight of the reason we were chosen to do what we do well 😍 #HackLearning
A1 Stress, lack of sleep, bad eating habits and growing demands of the classroom or leadership - disagreements about how that all should look can also contribute #hacklearning
#hacklearning A1 - Thinky many burnout because they look for success too high up or two far away. So easy to get caught up in the rat race. Have to focus on your why and that’s kids.
A1: External factors: Too much to do, too little time, the sheer amount of need, lack of support structures.
Internal factors: Many educators have high expectations of themselves, and can't quite ever meet them. #hacklearning
A1: When my grandma was dying, I was forced to let go of doing everything. It taught me that I was actually a better leader when I shared responsibility. AND- it helped me focus on less details. #HackLearning
Some of this is about not knowing who you can ask for help. Teaching is not a DIY profession. Ask for help and most importantly ask your school librarian for help. We are ready and waiting :) #hacklearning
This says it all. And since we are whole people, our plates don't only consist of what is going on at work, but also in our lives, families etc #hacklearning
A1: Burnout comes when you feel like you have run out of resources and don't feel supported with new resources or ways to find new resources. Burnout comes when you feel you want to challenge yourself in diff ways and the opportunities don't present themselves. #HackLearning
And sometimes it does feel like your ‘hobby’ because you enjoy what you do. But when it becomes the majority of you then time to take a step back so you don’t get ‘lost’ in all of it. #hacklearning
Agree, Brian. As leaders - we have to make sure we are clear when we communicate expectations. What's coming off the plate, what is staying. We sometimes forget to revisit and address previous initiatives. #HackLearning
I agree - we also tend to focus on the negative (what we didn't accomplish) when we need to pat ourselves on the back for everything we DID manage to do. #HackLearning
A1: Small, unimportant things that take up your attn & time that wrecks your schedule & then you notice your neck deep in work & your 1st morning coffee has gone cold. #hacklearning
A1: I believe most burnout comes from not taking time for yourself. There has to be a separation of work and life! Also the demands of admin and students! #HackLearning
I agree - we also tend to focus on the negative (what we didn't accomplish) when we need to pat ourselves on the back for everything we DID manage to do. #HackLearning
Yes I so agree with this! If people would understand that I want to help and not take their job or make them feel stupid life would be so much easier for us all! #HackLearning
I struggle with this so much. I love my work and writing and everything about what I'm learning, but this past week I didn't experience the best version of myself #hacklearning
A1: When my grandma was dying, I was forced to let go of doing everything. It taught me that I was actually a better leader when I shared responsibility. AND- it helped me focus on less details. #HackLearning
Those internal factors not to be underrated, Aubrey: Many educators' lofty expectations & habits of critical reflection -- not to mention perfectionist streaks -- can burn ourselves out. #hacklearning
Good morning, #hacklearning. This is Saul from Connecticut. 9th-12th Humanities teacher. Q3: More time for collaborative planning and conversation and, frankly, better pay.
A1 passion grows energy but if we empty our passion baskets daily and don’t have a refill strategy then burnout comes - we also are mostly a yes profession but no is sometimes needed. And we have a lot of people with needs coming at Educators every day - #HackLearning
Powerful! A mentor told me once that if you want to know how indispensable you are, put your hand in a bucket of water... the mark that's left is how indispensable you are. #Perspective#Hacklearning
I had such an interesting conversation about control and power with @3_DLeadership a few weeks ago. Had no idea he was going to impact my perspective so much. Wise man! #HackLearning
Well, I mean, there are different sources of power. We all have it. I would include myself in the concept. My ego gets in the way and causes me burnout too! #hacklearning
That's it, Connie, though I see leaders (who often have their own leaders to whom they're reporting) facing similar churn. Their plates have plates! #hacklearning
Our helpful pages for this #HackLearning chat Teacher Burnout page https://t.co/UDuWwl4zjl also has "Avoiding School Leadership Burnout" Coping Strategies page https://t.co/zDszpRqgh8 Many teaching colleagues said I would burnout. They are cinders and I am still going strong.
I read an article somewhere that described the way teachers martyr themselves for education, for position ... I learned as @conniehamilton did when my father was hospitalized ... family > passion > professionalism > position #HackLearning
In reply to
@dawblack, @conniehamilton, @conniehamilton
So true Sylvia - colleagues become extended family in school communities and functional communities support members who are stressing over work, family, self #HackLearning
A2 I believe we need to focus on ourselves. It is not being selfish. It is like that airplane example: you take your oxygen first before you can help anyone else. #hacklearning
Such an important comment. Ts time to collaborate is so limited that it reinforces this myth that we are by ourselves. Break out of the silos and build the team that will make a difference for you, your colleagues and yes, your students! #HackLearning
A2: this year I’m telling myself I have to separate school life from home life. I’ve got a new baby to love ❤️I get to school an hour early and I stay an hour late. What doesn’t get done in that time is going to have to wait. #hacklearning
I think recognizing that will help you be more aware for the next time. (I find there is ALWAYS a next time) Sometimes we have to remind ourselves to take deep breaths and take a step back. I try to do this - especially on weekends. #hacklearning
#hacklearning A2 - I started being super deliberate with my time. Learned from @BrianCainPeak and @LeeCockerell to schedule my entire day in advance and then follow the plan. What a difference! Went from reacting to being ahead. Stress went way down.
Yes ... agreed! Me too! Love it when we can learn together and reflect honestly because we know that through objective thinking we can get better 😍😎🤩 #HackLearning
The problem comes when folx with legitimate (positional) power don’t recognize the expertise or referent power of the teachers in their schools. When an expert is marginalized because their opinion is minimized- recipe for burnout #hacklearning
A2 Understand the roles of the other staff like the school librarian. I wrote this post last year. Hopefully you will find it useful to read laterhttps://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/blog/why-do-teachers-need-school-librarians-5-questions-to-ask-yourself #hacklearning
A2) Asking for help is the most importantthubg we can do; but to do so, we have to be okay with someone knowing we need help. That’s an ego-check for us. #HackLearning
A2: There will always be more needs. One big thing I use to prioritize is thinking about what is urgent & what is important. Urgent stuff can often be draining, because it takes over your day. Making time for important things is more refilling. #hacklearning
A2 When I "flipped my feedback" (no more giving feedback on the weekends, only in class) my workload decreased & my Ss learned more. Win/win
#HackLearninghttps://t.co/cNQ30RmjkE
A1 find daily time to step away from work / do something that breaks the cycle of inner and outer ed talk / for me it’s been nature photography and find on my screen porch reading #HackLearning
Such an important comment. Ts time to collaborate is so limited that it reinforces this myth that we are by ourselves. Break out of the silos and build the team that will make a difference for you, your colleagues and yes, your students! #HackLearning
A2: If admin is open to listening, share what you’re going through. Sometimes they think we’re okay, but they wouldn’t know if we don’t say anything. If that doesn’t work, find your tribe! #PLN#hacklearning
A2 I firmly believe that changing my grading policy allows me to focus on my passion more than the muck & more of teaching ... standards-based learning vs practice helps me focus on the important part of my work #HackLearning
A2 I find by intentionally taking time for yourself each day. It’s amazing what even 15 minutes can do to help alleviate the stress. I try to have one weekend day (or part of the day) to engage in things not related to work. #hacklearning
A2: Find your marigolds &keep them close @cultofpedadogyhttps://t.co/QehYAIobup & start by changing how u do your work bc we may have little control of what u do. By starting with that, we feel a sense of control & then slowly think @ ways to change what u do.
#hacklearning
A2: I fight teacher burnout by joining in communities of practice. I need people and so do you! If you don’t have support in your school—move beyond your walls! #hacklearning
My personal story of how I fought burnout is here: Burned Out, Beaten Up, Fighting Back: A Call To Action For America’s Public Educators!
Order it on Amazon: https://t.co/BodQc4FTqt#call2action4ed You’ll finish it feeling inspired and recharged. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ #HackLearning
That 4th bullet is what does it for me. Who cares if I have the perfect image at the bottom of the agenda? Nobody - just me.
I get overwhelmed trying to make everything perfect. #HackLearning
Truth ⬇️⬇️⬇️ ... including students with gifts ... when tchrs cover my class, they are often surprised when my sts can teach the class (even when they are struggling readers) b/c they have leadership skills #HackLearning
The problem comes when folx with legitimate (positional) power don’t recognize the expertise or referent power of the teachers in their schools. When an expert is marginalized because their opinion is minimized- recipe for burnout #hacklearning
A2: There will always be more needs. One big thing I use to prioritize is thinking about what is urgent & what is important. Urgent stuff can often be draining, because it takes over your day. Making time for important things is more refilling. #hacklearning
A2 we need to rexamine practices such as homework and testing grading practices that return little learning gain but suck down a lot of time beyond the school day - the body, soul, and brain need break time from work #HackLearning
Q2- Take time out for themselves. Set hours outside of school to work and stick to it. Prioritize the work. If it’s not your “monkey” don’t take it on. #HackLearning
A3 Every school would have access to a #GreatSchoolLibraries with a professional librarian. Great for both teachers and students! You deserve it! #HackLearning
A3: I honestly work in a great building with lots of support. I don't feel any burnout yet, but really feel that teachers need more respect! #hacklearning
A2: Educatirs must remember that they have to take time for themselves! #7Habits Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw. We must breathe, relax, exercise, and enjoy life! Then we can be best for our students. #HackLearning
We need to treat teachers as the professionals they are not as just another kid in the school. Trust them, ask questions, listen to their concerns, validate their voices. #LeadLAP
#hacklearning A2 - Started my own podcast this summer. “5-minutes with the Counselor.” So helpful to know that you’re not alone in this journey. Published 75 episodes so far. Loving it. Look it as my spoken blog.
A2: Educators must remember that they have to take time for themselves! #7Habits Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw. We must breathe, relax, exercise, and enjoy life! Then we can be best for our students. #HackLearning
A2.1: I've tried to find some things to do outside of school that are totally unrelated to music or teaching. Started going to yoga and reading books for fun to take a step or two back. #hacklearning
A3: I honestly work in a great building with lots of support. I don't feel any burnout yet, but really feel that teachers need more respect! #hacklearning
A2: Find your marigolds &keep them close @cultofpedadogyhttps://t.co/QehYAIobup & start by changing how u do your work bc we may have little control of what u do. By starting with that, we feel a sense of control & then slowly think @ ways to change what u do.
#hacklearning
That 4th bullet is what does it for me. Who cares if I have the perfect image at the bottom of the agenda? Nobody - just me.
I get overwhelmed trying to make everything perfect. #HackLearning
A3: More opportunities for Ts to take a year and recharge batteries by writing, speaking, or some other related activity without penalty. #hacklearning
Wouldn't it be great to know what State in the US your followers are from? Something tells me that Texas would have the most educators using Twitter. #HackLearning
A3) Take time for yourself; make connections that go beyond your profession and turn into genuine friendships; share and hear stories (like those in the linked book) . #Hacklearninghttps://t.co/zb31uUUhZ7
It is amazing how much of a difference it does make! I went to an all day event book festival yesterday - today I plan to focus on my house tasks. I prob will do a little a work later but it is refreshing to do other enjoyable things too. #HackLearning
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @mssackstein, @AmyLynnRever
A2 Where there's smoke, there's fire. Time to stop, drop, & roll! Notice early signs of burnout in order to stop contributing factors at least for short time, drop (or delegate) lower-priority tasks, roll with remaining punches -- which often prove to be temporary. #hacklearning
Yes! Our entire secondary began a move to "going gradeless" (which isn't really gradeless but more student self-assessment) & the positive vibe is palpable. Everyone seems happier (Ts & Ss) #HackLearning
A3 Silo Teaching ... let’s share the workload and show students that all learning is connected ... and that practice does not need grades ... sometimes we learn for enjoyment not grades! College admissions would be more focused on having conversations with kids #HackLearning
Connie - we also discover the work doesn’t stop getting done when we need to . How we learn about strengths of those in our team .. we Educators often think we are the only one who can do it but we aren’t #HackLearning
Sounds like a pretty good strategy to me. It’s hard to “do it all”, meet the deadlines, and still remain positive, energized, and innovative as an educator. My A2) Surround yourself with other positive, passionate educators IRL & in your virtual #PLN#hacklearning
A3 Silo Teaching ... let’s share the workload and show students that all learning is connected ... and that practice does not need grades ... sometimes we learn for enjoyment not grades! College admissions would be more focused on having conversations with kids #HackLearning
A2. Set strict times for self-care (yoga, reading for pleasure, therapy, walk, coffee with friend). Make them a priority (and don’t check your work email on your phone!) and do them regularly. #hacklearning
I went to a @socialthinking conference last week and met a teacher that was burned out. It made me sad. I encouraged her to join Twitter Chats and build her #PLN to learn and get refreshed and motivated. The conference was great so I am sure that helped as well. #HackLearning
A3. I’m really interested in how America’s teacher working conditions compare to those in other countries where student performance on PISA is very high. 🤓 it’s quite different from my research. #HackLearning
A3: Support but real honest support , not just cookies at fac meetings. Acknowledging the hard work of teachers, maybe w/ personal notes and conversations are so important. I think @ my success w/ my Ss is bc of the personal touch I have with them & their families. #HackLearning
So since .. my unscientific study believes that teachers from Texas are the most represented group on Twitter .... will their professional growth over the next 5 to 10 years out soar those in other States?
I wonder about lots of things :-) #HackLearning
A3: A more collaborative environment: encourage team teaching & planning, model how it’s done, enough time for team planning, & all that jazz! #Hacklearning
I love this idea ... if I could also give any educator one gift ... I would give the gift of grace ... we all need to know that our work is second to our families and self health. #HackLearning
A3 Just one thing? the word conditions makes me think of the physical environment. Bathroom breaks would be pretty nice for Ts, but A/C in all schools would have a strong impact on student learning during warm and humid days. #hacklearning
I'm with Matt: Educators' caseloads in most schools are more about efficiency than effectiveness. Fiscal & physical constraints call these shots, a working-conditions dynamic worth changing. #hacklearning
A3 time -create schedule time that’s not hurried so teaching, planning, collab can occur in a variety of work spaces- but we have to change the way we think about work ethic in this country - #hacklearning
Join #HackLearning chat Oct 21 at 8:30-9:00am EDT when Steve Matthews @docsmatthews will be guest moderator leading chat on the "hacky" topic of Student Voice.
A3 Provide them with all the supplies they need so they don’t need to buy on their own. Time in day for ‘breaks’ that do not include tasks to complete. Maybe have 30mins at start or end of each day for staff to gather to prepare or debrief the day. #hacklearning
A2.1: I've tried to find some things to do outside of school that are totally unrelated to music or teaching. Started going to yoga and reading books for fun to take a step or two back. #hacklearning
A3: I would do away with “Show and Go” PD and replace it with job-embedded professional development where teachers are given the support they need on a regular basis.
#HackLearning
