Week+11

Teachers wear so many hats: counselor, parent, referee, etc. You nurture others all day long, and sometimes, you’re all out of nurturing ability by the time it comes to taking care of yourself!
 * Hour 1 **
 * ENGAGE **

We’ve talked about being a better teacher by inquiring into your own practice. Today we are going to talk about teacher well-being. As an anticipatory set for today’s lesson, please begin read the following article. (As with all readings, it is intended to prompt discussion, not intended to be the only authority on the topic.) Teacher Wellness: []

[Note to PLC Leaders: Post to your Group space a second reading, resource, or website for your team to explore in order to broaden or deeper member understanding of the concept of teacher well-being.]
 * EXPLORE **

[Note to PLC Leaders: You will lead the group in responding to the reading and other resources. Here is where you will post to your group space at least 3 open-ended discussion questions. Each PLC member should have an opportunity to share his or her understanding of the content.]
 * Hour 2 **
 * EXPLAIN **

[PLC leaders: Here is where you will present a brief activity for the group to test its collective understanding and to push it into new directions. I’m suggesting something like this as a starting point. . . Your own well-being—how well you manage the work-life balancing act—impacts the climate in your classroom and even your students’ performance. What else could it impact? Could decades of promised education reform be inadvertently thwarted by teachers’ wellness? Or, is this just a bunch of overinflated nonsense? Suggested topics: Exercise a minimum of 30 minutes a day, eating healthy, taking time for themselves, taking their vitamins and minerals, pray and/or meditate. Learning to laugh at your mistakes as a teacher and when things don't work out as planned. Ask questions such as is there team-teaching, what is their discipline policy, what would be the expectations from the school as you, the teacher.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ELABORATE **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How can teachers get and keep a healthy perspective?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How can humor be used?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How can you interview your potential jobs to understand the kind of work environment and culture that is at that school, and how would fit with your own personal needs for success?

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. As a group, reflect on what you have learned today about becoming a healthy educator and maintaining work-life balance. What will it take to keep YOU a healthy, happy professional educator? (Note: what works for your friend in the next classroom may not work for you!). [Note for PLC Leaders: you might have members discuss what is important to them.] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Engaging in personal hobbies? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Remaining involved in your church? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Planning time to see friends? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Getting up at 5:30 to run every morning? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Continued professional development on areas that spark your curiosity? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Making a commitment to getting work done at work and not bringing it home? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What choices will you make? Where will you draw boundaries? How can you beat the odds of 1/3 of teachers leaving the field by the 5-years point?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hour 3 **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">EVALUATE **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. As a group, draft a brief statement (approx 1-2 paragraphs) of what you learned or new understandings you came to during this discussion. What did you agree with/about, and what did you not agree with/about? How do you KNOW you learned and grew?! We learned the importance of maintaining a balance by exercising to relieve stress, making time for family and friends, including alot of vegetables, fruit, and protein in your diet and minimizing complex carbs and sugars. Staying involved in your church and other outside activities you enjoy. It is extremely important for your physical and mental capability to get a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night. As a teacher, it is very helpful to stay organized so that your lessons run smoothly. Being organized allows better classroom management and more time to get through the lessons you are teaching. Make a plan to stay after school a maximum of one hour to prepare for the next day so you are not taking your work home with you. Keep your weekends focused on you and your family. Don't take any problems home with you, mentally. Keep a mindset to leave your work, at work.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Individually, it is time to register to present at the QUEST Teacher Research Symposium. Registration is simple, and REQUIRED! Just go to this link and enter your name, email, and general presentation topic (your wondering!): []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Individually, please send your “PLC Check” as an email to Dr. Pierson and Caroline: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">--What/Who worked well in today’s PLC meeting? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">--What/Who didn’t work so well in today’s PLC meeting?