LINKS FOR YOU
🍃 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
📚 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
🎭 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
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.
Ready to take back your classroom energy?
These strategic boundaries can help protect your wellbeing while actually improving student learning:
✅ Protect Your Time
✅ Structure Your Space
✅ Manage Your Energy
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! ⭐
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.
🎥 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.
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
Boundaries for Technology and Operations Staff
Boundaries for HR and Support Services Staff
These boundaries help district office staff maintain productivity while still being responsive to schools' needs.
❗Risk: Setting boundaries will cause more conflict if no-one will go the extra mile
To mitigate this issue, it's crucial that boundary training emphasizes how to set limits with empathy, flexibility, and care.
Effective boundaries don't shut others out, but rather establish reasonable guidelines that sustain educators' passion long-term.
❗Risk: Lack of buy-in if boundaries are seen as just another burden on staffs' plates.
To address this challenge, training should highlight how boundaries ultimately reduce stress, increase fulfillment, and allow educators and staff to be more present.
With time and leadership support, boundaries can become an empowering, integrated part of school culture.
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
Alludo - we have helped district leaders across the country increase capacity in thousands of schools by successfully delivering millions of evidence-based professional learning lessons to their educators and staff members.
See you next Saturday!
Damon