Teacher Burn Out

This week has been a REALLY busy week. Here is the schedule:
Tuesday - Field trip to a play 'Cinderella' (from 8:30am to 12noon)
Wednesday - Hajj Simulation (from 11:30am to 12noon)
Thursday - Class Spelling Bee (during language arts period)
Friday - Worked as the 4th grade teacher (Homeroom teacher attended one-day workshop)

Honestly, I was quite worried on Monday when the homeroom teacher told me she would be attending a one-day workshop on Friday. All week I was thinking strategies to manage 29 4th graders with a substitute teacher. All praise be to Allah SWT yesterday went by without any major hiccups. All students followed directions and earned the chance to play the game 'Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader.'

On Wednesday I spoke to the homeroom teacher about how she knows all her students so well, both academically and characteristics. She said that because of the time and energy devoted to students, many good teachers get burn out easily. That is why she always try to spend quality time on the weekends with her family.

Here are 20 insights from a 17th-year veteran teacher about things that teachers ought to be doing to prevent burn out:

1. Take care of your body
2. Avoid whiners
3. Get more sleep
4. Accept imperfection from yourself
   
5. Don’t expect to make everyone happy
6. Don’t abuse your sick days, but do use them
7. Relax more
8. Have trusted friends who can smack you upside the head when needed
9. Be sure you have long term disability insurance in place before you need it
10. Have some sort of adequate health insurance
11. Don’t waste time worrying
12. If you’re single, take some risks
13. Always have a backup career plan for if things don’t work out
14. Don’t be too proud to seek advice from others
15. Sometimes writing things out is among the best therapy
16. The logical solution is often the best, but not always
17. Don’t make monumental life decisions in periods of emotional distress
18. Don’t let Christmas, spring break, and summer be your only down time
19. Have patience with yourself and others
20. Not every situation in life requires an immediate diagnosis and prescription