New Year’s Resolutions for the Classroom Teacher

This is always an interesting time of the year for those in education. As the students start to focus less in class and more on the upcoming break, it can be a difficult period for keeping the kids enthusiastic about learning. If your students seem to be checking out in the next couple of weeks, don’t take it personally. It happens to the best of us every year around this time. Instead, take it as a challenge. Step up and create a few New Year’s resolutions for yourself that will make your time in the classroom more beneficial for all.

Resolution 1: Incorporate Technology into Every Lesson Plan

If you have been teaching for a good number of years now, there is a great chance that you sort of just use the same lesson plans year after year. There is nothing wrong with recycling amazing plans, but it might be time to update them as we proceed further into the 21st century.

With technology changing day today, it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce more of it into your lessons. Students love to use technology and rather than dragging your feet on putting it to use in the classroom, you need to develop a love for it as well. In fact, with some research and experimenting, after a while, you may be that teacher in your hallway that others come to when they have a tech question.

Resolution 2: Smile More

If you aren’t enjoying your time as a teacher overall, then you should start to rethink your life. You have earned the chance to shape students’ lives and mold them into responsible and respected individuals. This is an opportunity in life that most dream about. Rise up to the challenge and meet it head-on. Furthermore, enjoy every single day of it. Your job is unlike that of any others, and while you may not exactly be rewarded monetarily, you are creating moments with these kids that many of them will remember for the rest of their lives.

Resolution 3: Eliminate Negativity

If you spend enough time around negative people, it changes your outlook and soon enough, you will be viewing things in a negative manner as well. This includes your time both in and out of the classroom. Choose to surround yourself with positivity and it will change your life in the long run.

Resolution 4: Leave Work at Work

Are you one of those teachers that always seems to leave school each day with a bag full of papers to grade and lessons to write up? With a little better time management, you can have your work completed while you are still at school. This will allow you time to actually have a life away from the classroom. Of course, this might mean working through your lunchtime and chatting less with the other teachers in the hallway now and then, but if you are overwhelmed with how much extra time you need to spend at home on things, it is something to consider.

Resolution 5: Get to Know Your Students

As teachers, we tend to focus all of our energy into academics in the classroom. We speak of students’ strengths and weaknesses as it relates to school subjects. However, even though a student may be weak in math or reading, they may be the nicest and most caring individual you will ever come across. They may take care of their little brothers and sisters every night as their parents work and perhaps that is the reason they can’t catch up on their school work. Make an effort to get to know the total child, not just their grades, and you will be surprised at just what each student can do.

Need Help on Your Resolutions?

Change can be difficult and holding yourself to these resolutions can take some work. Luckily, iAchieve can be of assistance. We offer professional development in all areas that should help with your time both in and out of the classroom. Teaching can be what you want it to be. Your classroom is your world away from the real world. Use your powers to make it a memorable one for all involved.

Learn More About Professional Development for Teachers

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