January's Resolutions & Balance

1/9/2012

Happy New Year! Many people start off the new year armed with resolutions and one common theme that I have heard from some fellow teachers has to do with balance. By balance I mean finding an appropriate balance between work and life. Unfortunately, many teachers seem to feel that they spend too much time working, which leaves too little time for everything else. It seems like the actual time in the classroom with students is not a problem, all the teachers I know cite this as their favorite part of teaching. However, it is the time spent grading, going to meetings, and all the other responsibilities outside of the classroom which seem to wear teachers down.

As for me, although it is not a "resolution," I am hoping and planning to find more balance in my life in 2012. One thing I have been thinking about trying out is an Internet "sabbath." I would like to take one day every week (Friday?) in which I do not use the Internet at all. I haven't started yet, but once I settle into my new job, I'll give it a try.

So, I've been wondering how other teachers have been able to find a balance in their lives. How do you keep from feeling burned out? In addition, I'm also curious about other professions because working too much is not limited to the teaching profession; how do people in other fields balance their work time and life time? I look forward to hearing your ideas/experiences.
Thanks,
Jeff

6 Comments

Dude

1/10/2012 06:13:01 am

Happy New Year and happy settling in to El Salvador, Jeff and Lauren! So balance and the idea of a 'sabbath' wherein you don't access the internet is intriguing but then again, I find that I feel I'm missing things--important work emails or connections with friends not to mention that I already feel that I don't know enough about the internet, so if I stop checking/learning, will everything just pass me by? I feel this way too about using technology in the classroom. I use it quite a bit already but am always impressed by how much it seems other teachers can use it. Of course, I would have to learn how to do that too.

Jeff

1/17/2012 01:28:45 am

Hi Susan, thanks for your reply! I hear what you're saying about feeling that you are missing things. Also, the issue you raise of technology in the classroom is very interesting. I'm sure our colleague James (aka Jamerson) would have some thoughts on this. My concern as a teacher trainer is that for new teachers there may be an allure to use fancy tech at the expense of student learning. In other words, it may be fun and engaging but is it helping students learn? Do you, or others, have any guidelines for how or when you use tech in the classroom?

For me, I have been trying to use websites and discussion forums as a learning tool for my students outside of the classroom. In other words, like a bridge between what we do in class and what happens outside of class.

I think part of our work as teachers is trying to meet students where they are at. Of course, these days the younger generations are more and more here, in some form or another of technology. How can we best meet them here and facilitate learning?

Beth

1/10/2012 11:16:32 am

Hola Chico,
I don't have any insights about finding balance, but I do really like the idea of an internet sabbath. Maybe I'll give it a try myself on Fridays. I feel that if I don't schedule time for rest than I keep working at a low grade, but I'm less productive in the long run.

I'm looking forward to hearing more tales of Salvadorean teaching!

Andy

1/12/2012 04:57:29 am

I found myself without internet for a few days last week and at first it really freaked me out-- I had workshops to be co-planning over Google Docs, meetings to arrange and the whole bit. But at some point on the first day, I found myself curled up in an easy chair reading an actual papery book and thinking how great it was. Remember writing and receiving letters? Wasn't that the best? Well, the internet came on again and I've gotten those workshops planned and oh-so-important emails sent off and I even went back, finished that papery book and picked up another. But it was a nice reminder of what exists out there and in our simpler pasts.

I can't help you on balance. I really want to say that I don't need it and that I enjoy working too hard then having too much vacation and wanting to work again. But this gig, one similar to yours, has lots of down time. Lots of planning time, material-making time and time too for my new married life. It shouldn't be this good. We're privileged. Over privileged. Time built-in for making snowmen in the courtyard. Antique shopping for Soviet-era goods. Or dipping your toes in the ocean if you're on that side of things. I'm looking forward to hearing about it, Mr. Puccini

James a.k.a Jamerson to Jeff

1/14/2012 03:10:01 am

Hey Jeff, great to see your website; as always, it sure is an inspiration. Don't be surprised to see me starting one myself in the future, as I seem to follow your footsteps everywhere.

I can't agree more with you on the importance of finding a balance in life. I love your idea of no Internet on Fridays; I've had similar resolutions in the past but was never successful in them. Perhaps we can keep each other motivated on that?

What you said about other professions is very true! After an amazing encounter with people from LIUNA last year, I've been very interested in construction as well as health & safety related professions. I've also had the dream to try out all the professions out there, even just for a week or two, so that I can say to other people that I understand how tough their jobs are!

At any rate, I look forward to reading more of your monthly posts. Keep them coming.

Gemma

1/17/2012 02:44:03 am

Balance. I like it. I need it. In my phases of working a lot and not having much balance, I began to notice how that affects me, my work and my relationships when I don't have time to do things I love like cook and exercise and spend time with friends. So, I have to say that it is something I strive for a prioritize. One thing I have done is scheduled in time for yoga and friends. It means that I don't have much room for spontaneity, but if I look at my calendar ahead of time, I can schedule work time (usually with specific tasks I will be working on) and play time. This helps me feel reassured that no matter how busy my work life gets, I have some pre-planned fun time already in my iCal. I do love the idea of the sabbath, and can also see Susan's point about missing out on things. There is a book out called something like "The Four Hour Work Week" that is supposed to be great for helping busy work people find more free time. I haven't read it myself, but hear that it has great tips. Thanks for posting this topic, I think it's an important one.......

Jeff's Site

"This website is not an official U.S. Department of State website. The views and information presented are the English Language Fellows' own and do not represent the English Language Fellow Program or the U.S. Department of State."

January's Resolutions & Balance

Leave a Reply.

Jeff's Site

Archives

Categories