Staff Beehive
November 14, 2017
Upcoming Events
11/16 - Thanksgiving Lunch
11/16 - Bully Assemblies in the Gym
- K-2nd 1:00 - 1:30
- 3rd-5th 1:45 - 2:30
11/16 - Faculty Meeting
11/17 - Birthday Celebrations for November
11/20 - 11/24 - Thanksgiving Break (Woohoo!!!)
12/1 - Character Counts Dress-Up: Crazy Hair and Socks
12/4 - CAT Meeting in Room 401
12/7 - Committees/Team Leader Meetings
12/15 - Birthday Celebrations for December
12/15 - BCE Staff Holiday Party @ 6:00
12/20 - Holiday Parties
12/21 - Faculty Meeting
12/22 - Campus PD/Collaboration with WCHE
PAWS/CHAMPS Reminders
- All students should be at Voice Level 0 in the hallways. Students should be quite and ready, before they enter the hallway. Consistency is critical for success.
- Please ensure, when entering the cafeteria for lunch, you walk your students to the table/lunch line. Students who are released at the door tend to run, and it is difficult for Wendy and Elsa to manage that, in addition to monitoring tables.
Thank you for your help!
Avoiding Burnout
- Leave work at school. This is the most useful strategy in reducing stress as a teacher. I have learned to do this as much as I can, and it truly makes a difference. A teacher’s work is never done, and I don’t think any teacher ever feels completely caught up. Even during the summer break, most teachers are already planning for the next school year. I’ve learned over time that whatever does not get done during the school day will still be there waiting for me the next day. It’s important to be able to unwind at home and enjoy time spent on myself and with my family.
- Share the workload. Sharing the workload helps reduce stress. Our teams are already really good about this, but make sure not to forget, you do have team/partner support. Plan lessons together, group students across the two classrooms, assign the same homework and troubleshoot areas of concern. Having a colleague to plan with makes a world of difference, and helps cut down on burnout.
- Take time for yourself. Teachers spend so much time and effort focused on others, they forget to take care of themselves. Identify one thing you can do for yourself each week. This is called self-care. Maybe you can stop by Starbucks after school, meet a friend for dinner, go on a walk when you get home, etc. You won't be any good for anyone else, if you aren't taking care of yourself. Your principal gives you permission!!
- Arrive at school early. Most of us complete our best work earlier in the day. Arriving at school at least 30 minutes before the time I have to report, can cut down on stress. This time can be used to tackle the papers that need to be graded, prepare lesson plans and make sure you have the materials needed for that day. You can also answer emails and parent phone calls before the first bell, so that I am ready and focused for students. Arriving at school early allows me to leave at the end of the day to get home and enjoy quality time with my family.
- Avoid the Sunday blues. Every teacher knows what I’m referring to—it’s the dreaded last day of the weekend, and we have to return to school the next day. We frantically scramble to lesson plan for the week, grade papers from the week prior, and enter grades into the grade book. Try to leave the classroom Friday afternoon planned and prepared for the next week. If there’s a week that doesn’t allow this to happen, maybe grab an emergency lesson plan folder, or talk to your neighboring teacher for ideas. It is so important to be able to enjoy a complete weekend without having to worry about school. There’s enough that needs to be caught up with around the house after a busy week in the classroom.
The Educator as an Ethnographer
https://davidjakesdesigns.com/ideas/2017/1/19/the-educator-as-designer-and-ethnographer
Technology Tidbit - Plickers
Thank you!
How are we using our data to inform decisions, and spark collaboration with others, to ensure student success?
How is this collaboration encouraging us to think outside of the box, and possibly even adjust our mindsets when it comes to instruction and student learning?
Bee Cave Elementary
Email: andjelicj@ltisdschools.org
Website: https://www.ltisdschools.org/BCE
Location: 14300 Hamilton Pool Road, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: 512-533-6250
Twitter: @BCEBobcats