6 Tips for Teachers If You’re Running on Empty

A MiddleWeb Blog

At this time of the year, I always feel like I don’t have anything left in my tank. I’m running low on energy, ideas, and patience.

In Alabama, we’ve begun the grueling standardized testing portion of the year, and we all know the demands that go along with that.

And yet, we still have those students who need us to continue to have the steadfastness and stamina to help them be successful. But how? Here are a few suggestions that have worked for me.

1. Be okay with taking a few minutes to talk to your students.

I don’t mean discussing math, but just talking with the student to see how they’re doing. At this point in the year, I’m prone to tunnel vision: I become determined to cover a certain amount of material, and I feel pushed to use every second.

A fellow teacher reminded me this week that it takes time to develop and nurture relationships with our students. We can’t be so focused on our material that we forget that they are individuals with lives away from school.

2. Go to an extracurricular activity one of your students is involved with.

I tend to neglect extracurricular activities in the spring because I’m so busy with grades, reviewing, etc. But I find that if I make the time to be there my students appreciate it, and I always end up enjoying myself and getting an energy boost.

3. Spend “quality time” with your colleagues.

In the past, I have let weeks go by and only said hi and bye to my colleagues down the hall. So in my department, we try to get together periodically and just visit and catch up.

It may be that we all bring a dish from home and try to eat together (usually in shifts), or someone brings doughnuts and we talk for a few minutes in the break room. Whenever we have the opportunity to just talk, I always come away feeling more refreshed.

4. Try to remember that if you’re tired and struggling, your students are as well.

While what we are learning is important, students can suffer from burnout and fatigue. Just like we do. Acknowledging it may give us all a boost.

5. Do whatever is necessary to become excited about something you’re teaching.

I found a great article about unconventional quizzes on the NCTM website which I tried in my classroom: Unconventional Quizzes that Liven Up My Classroom by Susan Zielinski.

Specifically, I tried the Snowball Quiz that was mentioned in the article. I was completely unsure how it would go, but it actually went well. As a matter of fact, I plan to write more about it in a future blog post here. The idea is to be excited about something. Sometimes you end up trying things that don’t work, but other times you hit on something that’s a keeper.

6. Hunt for subject stuff that’s fun.

Whatever your subject, there are sure to be internet resources out there that can help you add a little fun to your classes. In math, here are places I always go when I want something extra.

1. Desmos – “Graph functions, plot data, evaluate equations, explore transformations, and much more – for free!”

2. lluminations from NCTM with lessons and interactives for students in Pre K-12

3. The MTBoS Search Engine: a search engine that only combs through Math Teacher blogs. Created by John Stevens, a technology coach for Chaffey Joint Union High School District in Ontario, CA. There’s a mix of grades and levels.

4. NCTM: The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics offers a range of lessons such as this mysterious middle school one, The Case of Mr. Donnelly and the Candy Jar Task.

If you have any other suggestions, please share!