The Bailey Times
May 7, 2018
One of the best articles I have read about setting boundaries as a teacher, a parent, and as a school administrator. This is a must read for everyone!
Saying “Yes” To Yourself
May 3, 2018, by George Couros
I have been paying a lot of attention to mental health lately, and the connection it has to social media, learning, and teacher wellness. Part of this focus is because this seems to be more of a challenge in education than it has ever been (or maybe people are just more open about it), but also because I have had my struggles with mental health. Since education is such a servant career, a toll on an individual can impact students and colleagues directly, or indirectly.
This article, “5 Tips Teachers Can Use to Practice Self-Care & Set Boundaries“(you should read the whole thing), piqued my interest, especially this paragraph:
It can seem cold to tell a student or co-worker that you don’t have the time for them, even when they seem desperate or nobody else looks willing to help. But if this sacrifice ultimately hinders you, making you more tired during your classroom lectures, or delaying your grading, then you could end up hurting your entire class over a few extra minutes with students. Worse still, if too many co-workers see you as the lone reliable and helpful asset, then you’ll end up spending more of your time on their projects than yours.
Principals having the “my door is always open” policy, is a norm at so many levels in education. We can pay an emotional tax that comes back later to haunt us. When you say “yes” to others, you often say “no” to yourself. Is it possible to say “no” to everyone? Absolutely not, nor should you. Too often though, educators end up saying yes to so many others, and we also sometimes pile more onto the educators that tend to say yes more often. It is almost a punishment for being reliable. But we have to be able to filter to take care of ourselves.
In the article, “The 6 Questions I Ask Before I Say ‘Yes’ to Anything“, tips are provided on how to filter out what to say yes to, as there is only so much energy any one person can expend: I began to think of myself every morning as a full cup of water (or cup of coffee, usually). Each effort I made that day was a drip out of that glass. When the glass was empty, I had nothing left to give for that day. With each action I took, I could mentally see the glass getting lower. I became more selective about where I put my time and energy. Just as I might work with an accountant on allocating my funds for different projects I want to pursue, I wanted to direct my energy where it was needed. I wanted my glass each day to go toward things that meant something to me, not just because I felt like I had to say yes.
I have taken this advice seriously. I have noticed that I have said “no” a lot more lately, and although there comes a sense of guilt with it, I have also seen increases in my time, as well as my health and fitness. I am not where I want to be, but I know that my output was coming at a cost that was leaving me with nothing when I most needed energy.
The demands for and of educators have gone up over the years, while the allocation of time in the school day has stayed the same. If we try to do everything for everyone, eventually, we lose out on ourselves and are helpful to no one.
School Parent Compacts
Teaching Literacy in Tennessee
TE21: CASE Benchmarks and Item Bank
Training for administrators, as well as teachers, will occur during in-service week. Ongoing training for data analysis will also occur after the first scheduled benchmark. Scheduling for the quarterly assessments will be released prior to the start of school next year.
2018-2019 Flex Time
Sheryl Johnson s1johnson@colliervilleschools.org
Administrators and Educators
Our 2018 - 2019 Summer Flex Time Calendar will be shared with educators soon. As a reminder, all educators must earn 12 Flex Hours between May 25 — July 31, 2018. Flex Hours will ONLY be granted for professional learning sessions/opportunities listed on the Collierville Schools MLP PD Catalog. Educators are required to register in MLP for the sessions they choose and MUST sign in at all sessions to receive flex credit. Professional learning opportunities educators attend that are not on the MLP catalog will not count towards Flex Time.
2018-2019 Teacher Leader Positions
Sheryl Johnson - s1johnson@colliervilleschools.org
Administrators and Educators
In the coming weeks, all educators will receive an email from Sheryl Johnson containing detailed information outlining our 2018 - 2019 teacher leader positions. Educators who meet the eligibility requirements may apply via the electronic application(s) within the email. Educators may apply for multiple positions; however, if selected, may only serve in one role during the 2018 - 2019 school year.
Eureka/Great Minds Account
(Contact person: Jennifer Ragland- jragland@colliervilleschools.org)
K-8 Teachers and Assistant Principals: If you have not created a Great Minds account, please visit the site, here, and create an account. Once you have created your account, register for the webinar titled, Eureka Math Resource Overview, by clicking here. Also, please take advantage of the multiple free resources that can be accessed and downloaded to your personal Great Minds dashboard (e.g TN Alignment Document, Teacher Resource Packet, lesson videos, and a Great Minds Twitter feed).
Apple Teacher Rewards for Certification
Mark Your Calendars: All Grades will be due in PS by 5:00 on May 22nd and All Grade Verifications will be due by 5:00 Wednesday, May 23rd.
May Day Maps
Month at a Glance
May 7th: Rotary Teacher of the Year Dinner 6:00 (Toni Flynn)
May 8th: PTA Meeting 6:00 - Art Show 5:00 - 5th grade performs
May 9th: Principal's Meeting - PLC Meeting K, 1 and 2
May 10th: Faculty Meeting 7:45**change in time!
K-2nd May Day 10:00 - 2:00
May 11th: 3rd - 5th May Day 10:00 - 2:00
May 14th: Prek May Day 10:00 - 11:00
May 15th: 2nd Grade Musical
May 16th: Vision Meeting/5th Grade History Fair Set-up/3rd Grade Talent Show @ 2:15
May 17th: 5th Grade History Fair/3rd Grade Talent Show
May 18th: Students vs. Faculty Basketball Game
May 21st: Spring Music Program 9:30 and 2:40
May 22nd: 5th Grade Luau 11:00
All grades due in PowerSchool by 5:00 pm
May 23rd: Kindergarten Program 9:30
All Grade Verifications completed by 5:00 pm
May 24th: Last Day of School - Students Leave at 12:15 and faculty will come to the cafeteria right after duty is finished!