Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Teachers

As we get ready to say goodbye to 2018, the time is upon us when that yearly tradition of reflection and resolutions for the upcoming school year.

Get inspired with our list of the Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Teachers.

1.  Stay Positive

Coming off a much-needed break, it’s time to figure out how to make your classroom a happy place for you and your students in the long stretch to summer. Check out these ideas to help you stay positive.

2.  Spice Up Your Classroom Routine

Try one new technology or instructional technique each month to keep things new and challenging for you and your students. Making a list and assigning one new thing to each month will help you actually stick to this resolution.

3.  Build Fitness into Your Curriculum

It wouldn’t be a resolution list without some mention of better health. Make it a classroom affair with healthy eating lessons, integrating movement into your day-to-day activities and just encouraging you and your students to take care of your bodies.

4.  Get Your Work/Life Balance in Order

As best you can, keep school work at school and enjoy your time at home. Making yourself happy will be better for you AND your students.

5.  Give Individual Time & Attention to Students

It doesn’t have to be formal one-on-ones, tutoring or meetings, but try to integrate a rotating classroom job in which your students help you do something. You can check in with him/her individually and see how everything is going (whether they’re the best , worst, loudest or quietest student in class).

6.  Get Organized – Work Smarter, Not Harder

With the fresh start, it’s a great opportunity to get your classroom organization back on track. Here are some 6 Back to School Tips to Organize Your Classroom and 12 Time-Saving Assessment Strategies to get your school life back in order.

7.  Don’t Let Admin & School Policies Get You Down

There is nothing you can do to change those annoying policies, unnecessary meetings or mounds of paperwork, so try to take a Zen about the situation rather than letting that sour mood infest you and your classroom.

8.  Set Goals & Avoid Autopilot Mode

Now, I don’t mean your school and official achievement goals, I mean your own personal classroom goals. What is one or two things you think are important but forget as soon as the flurry of the teaching gets in the way? Write one achievable goal a month on your calendar and make it a priority.

9.  Get Students Involved/Empowered

By giving students more control over their assignments and activities, they will hopefully take ownership of their education and use their talents and interests in a positive way.

10.  Make Better Use of Planning

Time Resolve to bust it out during your planning time so you can take less (or hopefully no) work home with you. It’s tempting to take the much-needed break during your day, but it’ll feel even better to walk away with an empty bag at the end of the day.