This Easy Shift Might Be the Key to Effective Teaching

🕵️ PD Intelligencer - NOV 2 2024

LINKS FOR YOU

Keep Up To Date With the Latest News

🍃 PBL Units for the Future Using Virtual Visits to Explore Our National Parks

👷‍♀️ Engineering Design Process for Young Children See how elementary students can learn with real-world engineering problems

📱A Closer Look: How Are School Smartphone Bans Going?

❤️  SEL Can Thrive in Schools, But We Need Time to Discuss What Matters Most. Reflecting on the power of SEL 

💻 Safeguard your Data and explore how Identity Management Makes Schools Less Vulnerable to Cybercrime 

GRANTS FOR PD

Money To Support Your PD

📚 Create dynamic learning hubs with the School Library Revitalization Grant, bringing modern spaces and skilled staff to Oregon's rural libraries.

➗ Unlock your potential with the CA 2024 Mathematics Professional Learning Partnership Grant, offering up to $20 million for transformative professional development opportunities.

🚀 The Texas Instructional Leadership Grant is aimed at building leader capacity through targeted coaching and hands-on support for campus and district administrators.

🎖️ Build a better school community with the California Community Schools Partnership Program.

🚌 Calling all Administrators! Transform your transport fleet with Missouri's School Bus Propane Initiative, funding cleaner, cost-effective transportation for districts. 

JOBS

Find Your Best Fit in Education

🎭 Inspire Students to Step into the Spotlight with Alum Rock USD, CA Drama and/or Musical Theatre Teacher 

🔏 Help Drive Excellence in Education Potential School Business Administrator in Paterson Public Schools, NJ

🚸 Preschool Teacher at St Philips Preschool, San Francisco, CA 

📚 Inspire Tomorrow's Scientific Minds in Chester Upland School District, PA Science Teacher - Physics

✋ Assistant Principal in Kingman Unified School District, AZ

ONE BIG IDEA

This Easy Shift Might Be the Key to Effective Teaching

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or constantly drained at the end of each school day?

The solution might be simpler than you think. It all comes down to one powerful practice: setting boundaries.

Setting boundaries is the practice of establishing clear guidelines and limits in our relationships and interactions with others.

For teachers, boundaries define the scope of their role and responsibilities, informing students, parents, colleagues, and administrators what behaviors and demands are acceptable or unacceptable.

Boundaries allow teachers to protect their time, energy, and emotional wellbeing while still being caring, supportive educators.

But how can you say no and still be a team player? Find out below.

How To Set Boundaries in the Classroom

Ready to take back your classroom energy?

These strategic boundaries can help protect your wellbeing while actually improving student learning:

✅ Protect Your Time

• Establish clear windows for extra help and student questions
• Create firm deadlines for assignments and late work
• Guard your planning period for actual lesson preparation
• Set professional communication expectations and response times

✅ Structure Your Space

• Design consistent classroom entry and exit procedures
• Create organized systems for materials and submissions
• Maintain professional student relationships and interactions
• Establish clear protocols for participation and discussion

✅ Manage Your Energy

• Keep personal disclosures appropriate and purposeful
• Stick to your stated policies on grading and late work
• Follow through on classroom expectations consistently
• Focus your efforts on true teaching priorities

Remember: Strong boundaries = Strong teaching. When you protect your energy, students get your best self.

Pro tip: Post your boundaries visibly and review them regularly. Clear expectations create classroom calm! ⭐

How to Set Professional Boundaries with Others

Teachers are natural helpers, which can make setting boundaries with colleagues and parents feel uncomfortable.

Yet maintaining professional limits is essential for both your wellbeing and your effectiveness as an educator.

Set clear boundaries with colleagues to safeguard your time and energy.

Declining extra commitments doesn't make you a bad team player; it ensures you're more available for meaningful collaboration.

Set specific times for responding to parents and choose preferred contact methods. Being accessible doesn't mean 24/7 availability. These boundaries model respectful communication.

In today's digital age, set boundaries by removing school email from your phone, using app limits, and crafting standard after-hours responses to maintain work-life balance.

Fun Ways to Teach Students about Boundaries

🎥 Boundary Charades

Divide the class into small groups.

Have each group act out a scenario where someone needs to set a boundary, such as saying "no" to an unreasonable request or asking for privacy.

The other groups have to guess the boundary being demonstrated.

🎭 Boundary Role-Play

Ask students to pair up and take turns role-playing different boundary scenarios, such as a student asking to borrow a classmate's phone during class or a friend wanting to copy homework.

Have them practice assertive communication to set clear boundaries.

🎨 Boundary Collage

Provide students with magazines, newspapers, and art supplies.

Have them create a collage that represents different types of boundaries, such as personal space, time management, or emotional limits.

Encourage them to share and discuss their collages with the class.

How Non Teaching Staff Can Set Boundaries

The core principles of boundary-setting can extend to other school roles like counselors, administrators, nurses, and support staff.

Non-teaching staff must also manage demands on their time and energy from students, parents, and colleagues.

Clear boundaries around job duties, availability, confidentiality, and work-life balance allow these professionals to avoid burnout and provide consistent service. 

Boundaries for Administrative and Finance Staff

• Set specific hours for handling walk-in budget questions
• Establish clear timelines for when staff can access support
• Protect focused work time during month-end closing
• Create clear protocols for emergency financial approvals

Boundaries for Technology and Operations Staff

• Establish tiered response times for IT support requests
• Set protocols for after-hours systems emergencies
• Set clear expectations for "emergency" vs. routine requests
• Protect time for system maintenance and updates

Boundaries for HR and Support Services Staff

• Create structured windows for benefits questions
• Establish boundaries around confidential conversations
• Define protocols for handling workplace concerns
• Create specific hours for walk-in HR support
• Set boundaries around personal vs. professional advice

These boundaries help district office staff maintain productivity while still being responsive to schools' needs.