Building Strong Co-Teacher Relationships

Bridget GenglerBlog, Connect Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: A meeting at Starbucks led to a successful two-year co-teaching partnership. Building a strong co-teaching relationship involves getting to know each other, honest communication, and respecting boundaries. Key tips include spending time together, maintaining open communication, setting boundaries, enjoying laughter, and reflecting on practice. We decided to meet at Starbucks on that warm summer day. We were still unsure … Read More

Balancing Summer-Work Life

Teach Better TeamBlog, Self Care Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Educators and school staff don’t typically have summers off. They use this time for professional development and administrative tasks. To balance work and personal life during the summer, educators should create new boundaries, communicate their availability, and prioritize tasks effectively. Embracing technology, flexibility, and learning to say no can help educators manage their workload and enjoy summer while fulfilling … Read More

Real Talk: Working Within Your Contract Hours

Holly BlackBlog, Reflect Better, Self Care Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: The article challenges the notion that teachers should work long hours and prioritize their job above all else. It is important to set boundaries and respect contract hours. This post provides guidance on optimizing time and avoiding burnout in the education field. This post is a follow-up to my first, How to Be a Great Teacher Without Losing Yourself. … Read More

Sub Better: Know Your Limits

Alex T. ValencicBlog, Connect Better, Lead Better, Manage Better

TL;DR: Know what assignments you are comfortable taking. Know what behaviours you find acceptable. Communicate your limits to others. Know Your Limits I got the call early in the morning. The school was in desperate need of a substitute teacher and they wanted to know if I was available. I had not taken any other assignments for that day and … Read More

5 Radical Self-Care Lessons for Educators

Teach Better TeamBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Burnout is not “this is just how it is.” We need to prioritize our own wellness. Self-care isn’t selfish and it’s not about temporary relief. You must put the work in to maintain boundaries and demonstrate self-care. Set office hours for yourself. Embed wellness routines into your classroom to model self-care for students too. Burnout Six years ago, I … Read More