5 Back to School Self-Care Tips for Teachers

A teacher's first day back to school is similar in a lot of ways to that of a wedding day...it's guaranteed to go by in a blur, there will be tears, laughter, unexpected events, old friends and new faces, possibly gifts and, if you are lucky, a brief moment in your day to sit down and soak it all in.  Or at least go to the bathroom.  #teachertruth

We all know how crazy that first day back is which is why teachers need tips on how to take care of themselves, too.  Here are 5 back to school self-care tips every teacher needs to know.

Keep Your Commute Stress-Free 

You want your drive into work on your first day to be as straightforward as possible.  Leave extra early and fill up your gas tank the day before.  If you live far away from your school, this might be your first time driving there in a few days or weeks.  Be sure to check that there aren't any road closures or construction on your route that could delay you.

Stay Hydrated 

You'll need lots of fluids today so fill up that bubba with your favorite hot beverage before leaving home and carry a water bottle with you to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Download the Calm App  

There's a reason why Calm is the #1 app for sleep and meditation...it's amazing.  But did you know it's FREE for teachers? Yep, that's right!  Under "The Calm Schools Initiative" the app is giving away FREE Mindfulness training tools to every teacher in the world!  That includes YOU!  Use it for yourself at home and for your students at school.  Mindfulness made easier!

Stock up on Throat Lozenges and Pain Relief

It's been a long time since you've had to get the attention of so many people and believe me, your throat is going to thank you for having some throat lozenges on hand for that first day back.  Pack up your go-to headache medicine too, just in case!

Pack a Fuss-Free Lunch

Time is going to be tight and you probably won't have the luxury of heating up last night's leftovers, let alone pop out for drive-thru.  Pack yourself easy to eat food and healthy snacks in a cooler bag that you can keep in your classroom to grab when you have a moment.

BONUS TIP: Bucket Filling

Doing a random act of kindness fills your bucket, so why not treat your teaching friends to a fun surprise?  A little thought goes a long way and I've yet to meet a teacher that doesn't love a new pen.  Buy a jumbo pack of Flair Pens the next time you see them on sale and give your staff a small token of appreciation.  You can grab this FREEBIE here.

What is your favorite self-care tip?  I'd love to know!  Please share it in the comment sections.

All the best on your first day back to school!

Rock Star Tips for Beginning Teachers

Few things are as exciting and nerve wracking as being a new teacher.  You have invested so much time and effort into learning all you can about the teaching profession and the time has finally come for you to get the keys to your very own classroom!  #pinchme

I am so excited to be linking up with Chandra from Teaching with Crayons and Curls to give you my I wish I was a Rock Star tips for beginning teachers.  I love the idea of helping out new teacher peeps!

So let's get to it :-)

1) Get to know the school custodian

2) Invest in a large filing cabinet (or more!)

3) Stock up on throat lozenges and buy a high quality thermal mug for hot drinks to sip on all day

1) Post things on Social Media without thinking
My friend Kristy over at 2 Peas and a Dog wrote an amazing blog post about Social Media tips for teachers.  You know it's good when Teachers Pay Teachers shares it on their Facebook page!

http://2peasandadog.blogspot.ca/2015/05/social-media-tips-for-teachers.html

2) Let school be all encompassing
My first year of teaching I taught English Immersion to an amazing group of 50 (two classes of 25) SK students in Tours, France.  I was so overwhelmed and had such an enormous sense of responsibility for those cuties, that I often stayed very late at work and went in on weekends. School/Life balance is a must!

1) Don't sweat the small stuff

Mistakes happen to us all so don't sweat the small stuff.  You'll feel embarrassed when you drop or break something in front of your class the first time (and chances are they will giggle!) so make a joke about it and move on.  No one is perfect and you are trying your best. Try not to be too hard on yourself.

If you are just starting out, or about to begin your 16th year of teaching like I am, I hope that you found at least one little nugget of wisdom in this post.  Here's wishing you an excellent rest of your summer and a wonderful start to your new school year!

Be sure to check out Chandra's link up for more tips from other teacher bloggers and make sure to follow them on social media too.

And, just in case you were wondering, if I was a rockstar I would be Shania Twain! #canadaproud