Embrace the Winter Mess (Nuhfer) - Danielle Nuhfer

Welcome to another episode of Teaching Well. Today, I have five tips to help you thrive in the winter messy middle of the school year. Reassess your goals, collaborate with colleagues, take self-care breaks, reconnect with students, and celebrate small wins. Embrace the winter landscape and know that you've got this. Thank you for joining me on Teaching Well.

Show Notes

Hello, I'm Danielle Newfer, and welcome to another episode of Teaching Well. Today, I want to address the challenges that come with the winter messy middle of the school year. It can feel like navigating through a snowstorm or rainstorm, depending on where you live. But fear not, I have five actionable tips that will not only help you survive this period but also thrive starting tomorrow. First, let's start by reassessing our goals. Just as nature adapts to changing seasons, it's important for us as educators to reflect on what's working and what needs adjustment. Take a moment to identify three goals for the remainder of the year and break them down into actionable steps. This fresh perspective will provide a new sense of direction, just like a snow-covered landscape transforming into a winter wonderland. Next, we shouldn't try to carry the load alone. It's essential to delegate and collaborate with our colleagues. Just like trees sharing the burden of snow on their branches, we should identify tasks that can be delegated or shared. Additionally, don't be afraid to let go of tasks that aren't essential. Collaboration and delegation will lighten our load in this midyear rush. Now, let's talk about the importance of self-care breaks. It's crucial to schedule specific times for short breaks to recharge ourselves, just like nurturing a winter garden. Even if it's just a few minutes to stretch, breathe, or enjoy a cup of our favorite hot beverage, these self-care breaks can make a significant difference in the midst of a hectic school year. Moving on, let's reconnect with our students. The middle of the school year can create a disconnect, so it's important to take a few minutes to have meaningful conversations with our students. Ask them about their winter interests, goals, and how we can better support them. This reconnection will create a warm and supportive classroom environment. Lastly, let's remember to celebrate small wins. Amidst the winter chaos, it's important to acknowledge and celebrate the small victories. Whether it's our students' improved performance, a successful lesson, or overcoming a challenge, we should take a moment to reflect on and appreciate these small achievements. They bring warmth and brightness to cold and dark winter days. Remember, tomorrow is a new day and a fresh start. Embrace the winter landscape and know that you've got this. Thank you for joining me on Teaching Well. If you found these tips helpful, please share them with your colleagues. With the right mindset, we can all create a warm and supportive educational environment for ourselves and our schools. If today's episode resonated with you, I would love to connect further. Check out the show notes of Teaching Well to find out how we can partner together. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of educators everywhere.


Ways to connect with Danielle and Teaching Well…

Get your free download 4 Simple Self-Care Solutions that Reduce Teacher Burnout & Increase Well-Being and Self-Care in Five Minutes a Day

Sign up for the Teaching Well Wish Newsletter

Ready to talk through your situation and troubleshoot ways to increase school well-being to improve student outcomes?  Schedule a time to talk https://calendly.com/dnuhfer/45min

Or contact Danielle directly at [e-mail]

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Creators & Guests

Host

Danielle Nuhfer

What is Morning Motivation for Educators?

On this show, educators get a daily dose of inspiration helping them do the most important job in the world, helping students become amazing adults. You’ll hear from a variety of formal and informal educators who help put this podcast together. If you’d like to contribute your voice to this show, please go to Morning Motivation E D U dot com to apply.

https://auphonic.com/api/download/audio-result/G6rqqfWGwnDfc4Wzk2UHC6/Embrace the Winter Mess (Nuhfer) Danielle Nuhfer.vtt