Hi all! @nico1e here, tweeting with the BC Early Career Teachers’ Association. We are a professional association dedicated to supporting a culture of care for new K-12 teachers in BC. Our executive members reach into the North, Interior, and Island communities. #BCedchat
Hi BC - it’s my first #bcedchat and I’m jumping in from Saskatchewan! My name is Elliott and I teach Grade 2 in a small K-12 school. Excited to chat about work life balance (SUCH an important part of teaching!!)
Love right back at you, Christine. #bcedchat (oh, another time, I’d like to bend your ear about PhD stuff....not necessarily during a chat on work/life balance).
A1: Balance means a combination of me time, family time, & work time. Sometimes that means lots of work time so that I'm freeon weekends for family & me time #bcedchat
A1: Work-life balance is knowing that stepping away to take adequate breaks for personal life & wellness is *absolutely crucial* in order to be able to ‘show up’ and be ‘on’ while actually in our complex work. Without balance, both life and work become unhealthy. #BCedchat
A1: Work/life balance is about understanding that work is important to us, but irrelevant if we don’t have carve out time for our families/friends. #BCEdChat
A1: work life balance to me is carefully considering my energy levels and stopping before I get overworked. It means intentionally setting time aside for family, exercise, and down time. #bcedchat
Love right back at you, Christine. #bcedchat (oh, another time, I’d like to bend your ear about PhD stuff....not necessarily during a chat on work/life balance).
A1: I considered balance once. Then I read an article on having purpose & how work/life can be intertwined. I still think we need priorities. #bcedchat
A1: it means saying no to some things in order to properly say yes to others. It enables us to do less, but better. Being mindful & reflective is key. Stop doing what is ineffective and ask for help to find better ways. #bcedchat
A1: Balance means a combination of me time, family time, & work time. Sometimes that means lots of work time so that I'm freeon weekends for family & me time #bcedchat
A1: It means I can have a life separate from teaching (which is sometimes hard in the very small community where I grew up and now teach). But I need to be able to leave work at work so I can be there for my family on evenings and weekend. #bcedchat
A1: Work-life balance is knowing that stepping away to take adequate breaks for personal life & wellness is *absolutely crucial* in order to be able to ‘show up’ and be ‘on’ while actually in our complex work. Without balance, both life and work become unhealthy. #BCedchat
We have all been in situations where we have felt frustrated or disappointed by our inability to feel or perform well. Step back. Look for the reasons why. Change accordingly. Forgive yourself for being human, and take care of basic human needs. #MaslowbeforeBloom#BCedchat
A1: Work-life balance is knowing that stepping away to take adequate breaks for personal life & wellness is *absolutely crucial* in order to be able to ‘show up’ and be ‘on’ while actually in our complex work. Without balance, both life and work become unhealthy. #BCedchat
A1: Work/life balance is about understanding that work is important to us, but irrelevant if we don’t have carve out time for our families/friends. #BCEdChat
A1: work life balance to me is carefully considering my energy levels and stopping before I get overworked. It means intentionally setting time aside for family, exercise, and down time. #bcedchat
A1: I am pretty invested in my Ss/school. I do have an autoimmune disease though that makes me have to stay within certain boundaries— if I don’t, it does more harm than good. What’s that quote: children are the most important work?. #bcedchat
Hi from SD43 Elementary teacher, A1 work - life balance to me means remembering that I do not need to live my job, rather I should live my life---I have often forgotten this ---my work will replace me within an hour but my children never will #BCEdChat
Often we don’t know how truly good we CAN feel until we actually do what needs to be done in order to be well. The result is incredibly powerful. But it takes doing that other ‘work’ of real self care in order to know how amazing you can feel. #BCedchat
A2: When I have energy, joy, and contentment then I know I have work-life balance. When I am inspired to try new things in both my work and life. #bcedchat
A2: For me, not taking any work home with me from school keeps me in balance. I go early to plan and use my prep times efficiently for marking and more planning, so my work stays at work and I can keep it separate (balanced) from home life. #bcedchat
Schedule your personal life on your calendar alongside everything else. Make commitments to join a friend for a walk in the forest, hire cleaning help, decide to go deeper into an assignment instead of giving two. Share strategies. #BCedchat
A1: I am pretty invested in my Ss/school. I do have an autoimmune disease though that makes me have to stay within certain boundaries— if I don’t, it does more harm than good. What’s that quote: children are the most important work?. #bcedchat
A2: you know you have balance when you are as excited about Mondays as Friday’s. And that you can’t wait to share what happened at school when you get home. #BCEdChat
A2: When I have energy, joy, and contentment then I know I have work-life balance. When I am inspired to try new things in both my work and life. #bcedchat
Q2: For me signs my life is in balance include cooking for my family and getting on the floor and playing. Sharing things I ❤️ the outdoors and reading. Also knowing that I give it my all for my classroom. #bcedchat
A2: I feel like I haven’t let myself down by caving to other people’s expectations in a way that compromises my basic needs. I’m hydrated, got to yoga class, I have slept, I feel happy, alert, and present in the moment. I feel connected to my friends & family. #BCedchat
A2: when I have moments of being present where I feel extremely grateful for work and home (usually a sunny spring day also helps). This is the balance sweet spot. It is not all the time, but it is a powerful moment. #bcedchat
A2: For me, not taking any work home with me from school keeps me in balance. I go early to plan and use my prep times efficiently for marking and more planning, so my work stays at work and I can keep it separate (balanced) from home life. #bcedchat
This! Work follows us home in different ways regardless (in our thoughts, in policy discussions on the radio, social media groups with other teachers, professional readings...) don’t take papers home with you on top of that. Leave it at work. Helps with headspace/focus #BCedchat
A2: For me, not taking any work home with me from school keeps me in balance. I go early to plan and use my prep times efficiently for marking and more planning, so my work stays at work and I can keep it separate (balanced) from home life. #bcedchat
A2: I know I'm feeling #flow or feel #InTheZone when I'm excited about my day -- and I have a strong sense of timing & purpose in my activities. #BCedchat
It helps that I have been teaching the same grade for multiple years, so planning is much less than in previous years. But it also requires a lot of self-motivation to work through my to-do list instead of sit and relax during my prep time! #bcedchat
A2: I know I'm feeling #flow or feel #InTheZone when I'm excited about my day -- and I have a strong sense of timing & purpose in my activities. #BCedchat
A3: when I sleep in, miss the balls that I’m juggling (missing important deadlines) and......having friends saying ‘we have t see you forever’. #BCEdChat
Bahaha yes that’s totally my roommates!!! Community. The people you surround yourself with are so important and we need space and time and energy to invest in each other on a personal level in order to come to work with a ‘full cup’ ready to spilleth over. #BCedchat
“We don’t keep driving our cares when the check engine light is on." But as teachers we have this uncanny ability to ignore the signals that our bodies send us. #bcedchat
A3: At work I usually don’t feel prepared and I’m not as patient. At home I’ll bring home work too much and be preoccupied. I’m usually not as joyful either. #bcedchat
A3: when I sleep in, miss the balls that I’m juggling (missing important deadlines) and......having friends saying ‘we have t see you forever’. #BCEdChat
A3: Tiredness, wanting to eat unhealthily, not exercising, having negative thoughts that I am just not good enough at teaching or being a wife/mom are signs that my life is out of balance. #bcedchat
A3: At work I usually don’t feel prepared and I’m not as patient. At home I’ll bring home work too much and be preoccupied. I’m usually not as joyful either. #bcedchat
A3: We become forgetful, feel stretched thin. Anxious. Overstretched = risk becoming reactive; misunderstandings escalate beyond what might otherwise be rational. Fatigue, unhealthy cravings, make more mistakes without catching them in due time. Brain short circuits. #BCedchat
When I feel unprepared & can’t sleep at night because I’m worried about work the following day OR on the other side, when it feels like I haven’t seen my husband for days because I’m busy with work commitments! And headaches; dead giveaway I’m out of balance 🤦🏻♀️ #bcedchat
Some might argue that it is worth staying up all night preparing lessons, I would argue against this. Teachers' health matters. Personal Wellness=longevity #bcedchat
A3: when I feel tired but can't sleep, when when I have a great sleep but wake up exhausted, when I am irritated by family & friend commitments that are preventing me from completing "x" then I know priorities are out of whack #bcedchat
A3: yup. Getting sick = huge indicator of adrenal stress. Take it as a cue to adjust not just temporarily but on an ongoing basis. *Drink more water, exercise well, get more sleep.* Hiring a personal trainer was a great decision this past year. Learned lots. #BCedchat
A3: when I feel tired but can't sleep, when when I have a great sleep but wake up exhausted, when I am irritated by family & friend commitments that are preventing me from completing "x" then I know priorities are out of whack #bcedchat
A3: yup. Getting sick = huge indicator of adrenal stress. Take it as a cue to adjust not just temporarily but on an ongoing basis. *Drink more water, exercise well, get more sleep.* Hiring a personal trainer was a great decision this past year. Learned lots. #BCedchat
Yoga has been really helpful for that. Yoga teachers lead us through the process of practicing mindfulness. Acknowledging thoughts but then letting them go, refocusing on breath or on the present moment (feeling grounded). It helps with the rest of life too. #BCedchat
A4: One strategy is to ask for help or advice. If you aren't able to ask, be able to listen to sometimes unsolicited advice. A colleague or friend can be your mirror on what you need to more of/less of. #bcedchat
#bcedchat A4: My work besties are my sounding board for work-life balance. I rely on them and I hope they know they can rely on me. @MScott16@JulietElvira
A guy blogged about drinking a gallon of water a day for a month. His employer paid him to try it. He said he was less tired, drank less coffee and a coworker said he was happier. #bcedchat
A4: My amazing husband @BobBobfleming is awesome at talking with me to get me back on track. Sometimes the call to teach excellently turns into a bottomless pit of work. He is excellent at knowing when I am working too much and too inefficiently. #bcedchat
Commit to drinking a full glass of water by the end of every meal. It’s addictive! Right now you’re probably so dehydrated your thirst mechanism isn’t working properly. You’ll see after 2 weeks of focusing on water you start to crave it. Body realizes “this feels good!” #BCedchat
Commit to drinking a full glass of water by the end of every meal. It’s addictive! Right now you’re probably so dehydrated your thirst mechanism isn’t working properly. You’ll see after 2 weeks of focusing on water you start to crave it. Body realizes “this feels good!” #BCedchat
A4: put life priorities on the calendar same way I do work deadlines (reports to office :/) call a friend for coffee, take my kids someplace special, read books, ...#bcedchat
A4: One strategy is to ask for help or advice. If you aren't able to ask, be able to listen to sometimes unsolicited advice. A colleague or friend can be your mirror on what you need to more of/less of. #bcedchat
#bcedchat A4: My work besties are my sounding board for work-life balance. I rely on them and I hope they know they can rely on me. @MScott16@JulietElvira
We ask our students to fill up our water bottles whenever they ask to go for a drink. They love doing something nice for us, we model interdependence and healthy habits, and we stay better hydrated to boot! #WinWin#BCedchat
A4 also helps that I also focus my class on self regulation tools - slow breathing, coping steps plans, “I” statements, balanced food choices, importance of sleep (even over fortnite) #bcedchat
A guy blogged about drinking a gallon of water a day for a month. His employer paid him to try it. He said he was less tired, drank less coffee and a coworker said he was happier. #bcedchat
A4: Every morning I give myself enough time to "over prepare & go with the flow." Flexibility is key -- and giving myself (& the students) an option to #play. #BCedchat
A4 #bcedchat You mean besides sarcasm, self effacing humour, and singing show tunes? 🤷🏻♀️ - I have great colleagues, mentors and administrators. I’m also grateful for a spouse who works in an entirely different workplace.
A4: I also made a colleague a stuffed toy fish so that she can "wet fish" me when I get crazy ideas at school that are going to zap me of energy. #bcedchat
I’d love the answer to this, too. For my staff, I try to encourage self care, but for myself, I keep returning to ‘duties as required’. I also find comments from staff as ‘I get anxious when I don’t see your car parked’ or ‘I don’t know what we’d do if you were away’ #BCedchat
a4 I always work at not spreading myself to thin. I always tell student teachers to sit on their hands at every staff meeting for the first year so they dont volunteer for to much. You always should take time begore commiting to something new. Weigh the balance #bcedchat
A4: Talk. Talk to my husband @ldillon33 and friends like @courtkneeruns and @ginakiyuna. They are usually good at helping my find solutions and stay within my boundaries. #bcedchat
Yes! As a newer teacher, this is something I have struggled with. Last school year was so challenging for me and I didn't make work-life balance a priority. I've started this school year fresh, and continue to ask questions! #bcedchat
A4: I like a lot of structure. I follow a routine every morning to get me ready: same breakfast every day and I write until my coffee is finished. My partner is also great at keeping me accountable when I am pushing myself too much or not enough in one area. #bcedchat
I will just assume... good laughter in the morning with alexa jokes... taking my time to be me in the morning and arriving at work an hour early are my keys to a peaceful day! #bcedchat
A4: Part of the reason we created the BC Early Career Teachers’ Association was because we saw a need for supportive community, sounding boards, health & wellness advice for new Teachers who are extremely vulnerable to overwhelm, isolation & burnout/attrition #BCedchat
Q5: Has your district provided mentoring, collegiality etc. to help you navigate difficult moments in balancing work and personal life? If so, what does it look like? How does it help? #bcedchat@LauraRienks
Q5: Has your district provided mentoring, collegiality etc. to help you navigate difficult moments in balancing work and personal life? If so, what does it look like? How does it help? #bcedchat
#bcedchat A4 Might seem silly but enjoying a glass of wine and watching Grey's & Big Bang is my go to Thursday night relaxation - THE WEEK IS ALMOST OVER!
Love my Apple Watch! From messages to the odd phone call that I have answered on it, I love it! Breathe, stand and move are great but the best if the Toy Story Theme Pack!!! #bcedchat
A5 My Coping Strategies page https://t.co/23le1FqNbn Learn how to deal with stress. Focus on the big picture and don't try to conquer everything at once. Make sure you make time to do fun things with your family. #bcedchat
Not always, but admin role isn’t necessarily 8-3....I get to school at 6:30 and leave after 4:30 it later, depending on schedule. I’ve met parents in evenings, weekends and even during Family Day. Still love what I do. #bcedchat
A5. I had a mentor in my first year of teaching. She was a HUGE help and asset to my well being and trying to stay in check of work life balance. I wished I had one every year. #bcedchat
A5: Since we know that mentoring programs differ across the province, we as an association are a network that blend goals such as mentoring, wellness supports, helping members gradually get to know the union, get district help, etc. without feeling overwhelmed. #BCedchat
Q5: Has your district provided mentoring, collegiality etc. to help you navigate difficult moments in balancing work and personal life? If so, what does it look like? How does it help? #bcedchat
Hmmmm great question! I really think that meanigful collaboration and collegiality are essential to maintain a healthy outlook in teaching. I wish there are programs that cater to teachers. #bcedchat
Q5: Has your district provided mentoring, collegiality etc. to help you navigate difficult moments in balancing work and personal life? If so, what does it look like? How does it help? #bcedchat@LauraRienks
Does this mean you're hopeful? Mentorship, formal or informal, is an asset to all those in education. We need that critical friend who will help us in time of need and growth. Nice to have a few. #bcedchat
A4: I find that as I get to be a more effective teacher, time frees up. Not sure that’s a strategy except to recommend focus on getting better and steal from the best, not just anybody. #bcedchat
#bcedchat A5 We have wellness workshops. I've never been though. LOL Our staff has potluck lunches and sometimes go to the pub after work but mostly everyone works too hard and then goes home. It's a very busy school.
Q5: Has your district provided mentoring, collegiality etc. to help you navigate difficult moments in balancing work and personal life? If so, what does it look like? How does it help? #bcedchat@LauraRienks
Q5: mine has a wonderful mentorship program for new teachers and a corporate discount for a gym membership, but not sure what is available beyond that... #bcedchat
But my first year was with a friend and we always made sure that we spent one day going home early to our spouse (I’ve since encouraged time shifting classroom duties and parental responsibilities knowing that often soccer starts at 3...) #bcedchat
I have a few colleagues that I speak to on a regular basis- self appointed mentors. I am in the middle of setting a date to meet w/ a mentor teacher to help with guiding my practice forward. #bcedchat
So true. Our school district is offering wellness workshops for students, families, and staff. I would love to hear the narratives of those participating before, during, and after the workshops. I like that there is something available. #bcedchat
#bcedchat A5 We have wellness workshops. I've never been though. LOL Our staff has potluck lunches and sometimes go to the pub after work but mostly everyone works too hard and then goes home. It's a very busy school.
Q5: Has your district provided mentoring, collegiality etc. to help you navigate difficult moments in balancing work and personal life? If so, what does it look like? How does it help? #bcedchat@LauraRienks
We’ve heard of a system called “Check in/Check out” and another one called “Tag.” Basically ways of honouring emotional state without shaming struggle, and having buddies who check in with each other. #BCedchat
Q5: Has your district provided mentoring, collegiality etc. to help you navigate difficult moments in balancing work and personal life? If so, what does it look like? How does it help? #bcedchat
I just want people to think it through before the quick commitment. Always know how much time it requires and if you can give it justice. Ss deserve the best we can give. #bcedchat
My district #sd42 has an amazing helping teacher @pennymorgan7 and an awesome mentoring program. Not just new teachers benefit, new to district and new to role teachers are also welcome #bcedchat
Q5: Has your district provided mentoring, collegiality etc. to help you navigate difficult moments in balancing work and personal life? If so, what does it look like? How does it help? #bcedchat
What PD do you have that focus on the heart? That is a good one! Sometimes we neglect hone and polish the emotional intelligence of our teachers. #bcedchat@HISD_NHECHS#NHECHS
A5: Beat advice I got year 1 from mentor. September will be great. You’ll think you suck by November. You’ll work your way back up by June. Entire mentor program worth it just for that advice. #bcedchat
A5: Last year my vice principal added wellness features into our weekly staff bulletin (a PDF that went out once every week). The continual reminders were useful & appreciated. It means a lot when admin explicitely and consistently encourage self-care. #bcedchat
A5: SD43 in Coquitlam has an incredible mentoring program. Teaching is my 2nd career & their encouraging support is greatly increasing my skills and craft. #BCedchat
#bcedchat It's a 6 week commitment from 4:30-6:30 pm in the winter. It felt like one more thing and would make my day even longer. Plus I have to get home to walk the dog. I just couldn't see it working for me.
I’m helping lead Restorative Practices. We are first focusing on relationships. To do that we are learning about ourselves, others, and relationships. #bcedchat
A5: the same VP also started a secret buddy initiative. (Voluntary). You filled out a kind of “get to know me” form & we’re secretly assigned a buddy to give thoughtful gifts to all year according to their interests & passions & tastes. Happy to share the form! #bcedchat
A5: SD43 in Coquitlam has an incredible mentoring program. Teaching is my 2nd career & their encouraging support is greatly increasing my skills and craft. #BCedchat
A5 #bcedchat It's there but there isn't enough. It's a big school & it's hard to find & make time for socializing and mentoring. We don't all sit together in one staffroom. We're in separate dept "staffrooms" but I tend to work through lunch & don't interact. It's hard. 🤷♀️
A5: Last year my vice principal added wellness features into our weekly staff bulletin (a PDF that went out once every week). The continual reminders were useful & appreciated. It means a lot when admin explicitely and consistently encourage self-care. #bcedchat
Appreciate Q5 as a trustee. We need to prioritize the physical and mental health and wellness of everyone in our schools, classrooms and offices, AND that of our students as well. #bcedchat
A6: Yes, the kids are important, but YOU are also important. Make sure you take time for yourself because you will be a better and happier teacher and the kids will benefit from that too! #bcedchat
A6: if you are considering a career in education, remember that you are your students’ champion, but you cannot be there for them, if you don’t take time for yourself. #bcedchat
A6. You can't help others when your cup is half-full or empty. Your wellness equates to other people's success and wellness as well. So, take care of yourself first. #bcedchat
A5: I was a new teacher on staff in a portable far from the main building. Knowing that *someone* in the school knew who I was, was thinking of me & sending small gifts once a month... it helped a lot. More than I can even express. Helped me through feeling invisible. #BCedchat
A5: the same VP also started a secret buddy initiative. (Voluntary). You filled out a kind of “get to know me” form & we’re secretly assigned a buddy to give thoughtful gifts to all year according to their interests & passions & tastes. Happy to share the form! #bcedchat
A5 teaching is a journey, you are expecting to work like a veteran on day one, learn to prioritize,focus on things you can influence, love yourself and your students, each year you will get better. if students are learning in your class you have done your job #bcedchat
A6: Yes, the kids are important, but YOU are also important. Make sure you take time for yourself because you will be a better and happier teacher and the kids will benefit from that too! #bcedchat
Be passionate in what you do. Give yourself space and time to grow. Develop your emotional intelligence more. Remember, everything is a process. And don’t forget to SMILE! #bcedchat@HISD_NHECHS#NHECHS
Appreciate Q5 as a trustee. We need to prioritize the physical and mental health and wellness of everyone in our schools, classrooms and offices, AND that of our students as well. #bcedchat
#bcedchat A6: Say no to extra work but say yes if it's something you are really passionate about (not because you think it will get you a job). Some extracurricular activities can inspire good teachers to be great teachers.
A6: Don't judge a teacher by how late they stay at school. Some love staying late, some prefer to take work home. I rarely take anything home to keep a strict balance, I would rather stay late. Find what works for you and stick to it. #bcedchat
A6: if you are considering a career in education, remember that you are your students’ champion, but you cannot be there for them, if you don’t take time for yourself. #bcedchat
A6: Teaching is a great, meaningful profession that can change lives; at its best it changes the teacher's life for the better too when the teacher keeps their priorities in sync with the people in their life before & after school #bcedchat
A6: Ok seriously. Your first few years will be overwhelming, but with persistence, self-care, and continued PD growth, your capacity will grow and things that are challenging today, will be trivial in a few years. #bcedchat
A6 Take your time. You are in this for the long haul. You can't do it all. Teaching is a craft that takes time to master. Think about things. Enjoy the journey. It will change your life! Oh and follow all the teachers I do on twitter because they are stunning! #bcedchat
A6: Be kind to yourself. Remember how gentle you would be with a vulnerable new learner, and take careful steps to not let yourself take on too much pressure too fast. Seek out kindred spirits who will answer ANY q without judgement or shame. It’s okay to not be okay. #BCedchat
A6: Live in the present moment, not the future. We can all spend hours worrying about what ifs; better to focus on the things you know are real and true not the ones you can not determine or influence. #bcedchat
survive your first year, the second year you look of what you have done and Omg need to fix, the third year you improve on your first to year, the fourth year unless you have a changing assignment you star having experience. #bcedchat
I believe that feeling overwhelmed comes in phases. First few years are CRAZY. It calms down a bit towards 5 years... then you do something like a Masters Degree or change roles into management, you're overwhelmed again. It's the learning curve. Embrace it. #bcedchat
A6: Ok seriously. Your first few years will be overwhelming, but with persistence, self-care, and continued PD growth, your capacity will grow and things that are challenging today, will be trivial in a few years. #bcedchat
A7: Not the best question about balance. Off to China with 30 amazing teachers and four wonderful admin. Presenting on Tech at forum. But for refreshing me, this will do it! #bcedchat
A6: Be kind to yourself. Remember how gentle you would be with a vulnerable new learner, and take careful steps to not let yourself take on too much pressure too fast. Seek out kindred spirits who will answer ANY q without judgement or shame. It’s okay to not be okay. #BCedchat
Two week spring break and Easter long weekend coming up in BC, so #bcedchat will resume on SUNDAY, April 8th at 7pm PST. Please join guest moderator @perfinker and co-mod @CraigMah to discuss “Teacher Imagination.”
A7: A lot of our executive will be @BCTF AGM for 3-4 day, so we get to be together 💚 . We know not to make plans for the 2-3 days after to really rest/recover. Personally... grad school research, Yoga, family time, nature, weight training & I want to see Black Panther. #BCedchat
