Lifestyle

Mother and daughter crossing waterway outdoors

How to Plan a Perfect Staycation at Home

By Nicole Garrison June 30, 2020

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many teachers have been forced into something most of them never practiced before – remote work. It took a while for educators around the world to figure out, how to make distance learning work for their students, and they had to put all their effort into it. They were… Read More

How To Stop Bullying (Yourself)

By Ashley Previte February 12, 2020

We voraciously work to stomp out bullying at school. We do not accept harsh words, criticism, or taunting in our classrooms. We have a zero-tolerance policy for cruelty and harmful behavior. But guys, the truth is, we allow all of it into our own internal dialogue. That’s right. The negative self-talk, the self-criticism…we’re bullying ourselves…. Read More

Teachers: Tips to Boost Your Immune System This Cold & Flu Season

By The Editorial Team February 10, 2020

Sneezes, sniffles, and coughs, OH MY! The classroom can be a scary place during cold and flu season — but it doesn’t have to be. The truth is, your immune system is as strong as you make it. And, armed with the right information and the willingness to focus on boosting your body’s infection-fighting abilities,… Read More

4 Ways for Frazzled Teachers to Fend Off Stress and Burnout

By The Editorial Team February 7, 2020

Are all the supplies ready for tomorrow’s art project? How should I answer the email from the parent concerned about the friends her daughter is making? When will I prepare my presentation for the math curriculum committee? Will my contract be renewed for next year? And if it isn’t, how will I pay the bills?… Read More

Educator Wellness: Self-Care in a Selfless Field

By Lilla Dale McManis, PhD February 5, 2020

If you fly with any regularity, you’re likely very familiar with the flight attendant’s instructions to place the oxygen mask on yourself before assisting children. The reason, of course, is that you can’t do a very good job if you don’t take care of yourself first. Particularly in challenging situations, this is absolutely vital. Teaching… Read More

A day in the life of a teacher can be pretty darn jam-packed. So it’s important to make the most of the moments you do have by fostering some inner peace and tapping into the Zen. Check out these eight meditation apps perfect to guide you through some relaxation and rejuvenate your soul for the… Read More

We See You: Recognizing the Emotional Labor of Educators

By Ashley Previte February 3, 2020

Teaching is the way you have chosen to change the world — and kudos to you for teaching your heart out! But being so deeply invested also means being vulnerable. And that can take a serious emotional toll. Here’s the deal: The emotional labor of teaching is real. And when we don’t talk about it… Read More

Don’t Let Your Calling Burn You Out

By Ashley Previte January 30, 2020

You went into your teaching career like gangbusters — excited, energetic, oozing creativity, eyes all atwinkle. But the weight of daily stress can begin to deflate those feelings of satisfaction and ambition and dull your passion. And, if left unchecked, can lead to burnout. Burnout is one of the most common reasons that teachers leave… Read More

Light itself is invisible until it reflects from something and hits our eyes. In the same way, the elements of our life are invisible until we take the time to actually see them through our mind’s eye. Self-reflection is taking the time to see the successes and failures, the opportunities and challenges, and the mental… Read More

Creating Work-Life Buffers to Be More Present at Home

By Ashley Previte January 24, 2020

With all you do, it’s easy to find yourself working around the clock just to stay ahead. Working too much can not only be damaging to your health but can also be damaging to your family. Creating a barrier at the end of work time — at least for a few hours — can help… Read More

When demands at work and home have you feeling like you’re about to crack, stop, breathe, and take a cue from nature. Channel your inner palm tree. Here’s the thing about palm trees: Even in the fiercest of storms, a palm tree will stay rooted in the ground. Devastating winds will destroy everything in their… Read More

Have You Ever Said, “Thank God It’s Monday?”

By Ashley Previte January 20, 2020

Monday mornings often loom over us like a dark cloud of doom. In fact, they’re so ominous that we start our anxiety about them on Sundays. But are Mondays really that bad? Absolutely not! Finding reasons to love your Mondays can help you bounce out of bed ready to start your workweek. It’s all about… Read More

Super Packable Lunches for Those Early Lunch Blocks

By The Editorial Team January 16, 2020

When you’re at work, lunch feels like it cannot come soon enough — unless of course you’re a teacher with that crazy 10:30 am lunch block. Somehow leftover taco meat just doesn’t have the same appeal that early in the day. So what do you pack when your scheduled lunch is more like a brunch?… Read More

Turn Your Car Into a Retreat for Your Senses With Essential Oils

By The Editorial Team January 3, 2020

Between caring for students and caring for family, sometimes the only alone time we get is those few minutes in the car on the way to or from work. But guess what? It’s still ALONE time and it should be celebrated and treated like the sacred gift it is. Make the most of this time… Read More

Pencils have erasers for a reason. Mistakes are a part of life. Mistakes mean we’re learning. We’re trying. We are pushing ourselves in new and sometimes uncomfortable ways. That’s the whole point. And, when we flip the switch on our perspective, we realize that mistakes truly are blessings in disguise — and those blessings may… Read More