The Balancing Act

I used to be a procrastinator. Hard to believe, I know. I would write papers the day before they were due, mail bill payments right before the due date, and wait hours or even days before returning a phone call. I felt like had all the time in the world and nothing was urgent. Have those times changed!

As a first year teacher, my biggest challenge has been balancing all of my responsibilities inside and outside of the classroom. After the daily teaching duties, I also work two days at Cary Elementary's After School Care Program to earn some money for savings. As a new teacher I am also required to attend Beginning Teacher/Mentor support group meetings biweekly for several hours. Add on professional development courses, PTA events, parental contacts/conferences, lesson planning, bulletin-board making... the list goes on and on, and my days get longer and longer.

Am I complaining? Not in the least. I love my job. I truly enjoy going to outside school events like PTA carnivals and skating parties, or letting my creative juices flow while working on bulletin boards and organization. All of these extra, non-teaching hours can really add up, and do often cut into my personal time. I have struggled with finding time to see friends, enjoy bubble baths, and even read for pleasure. I often stay at the school until 6pm and then come home to work on lesson plans or create arts and craft activities. I struggle with finding time to make nutritious meals, exercise, and do more to keep myself healthy, leading to bouts of illness.

So, how do teachers manage the balancing act? How do they find the time to teach, get all of their extra duties done, and still spend quality time with their families, friends, and keep themselves healthy? I've started planning my days almost to the minute, allowing for at least one hour at night of "me time" for reading the newspaper, playing with my adorable Pug puppy, or lazily soaking in the tub. My new mantra is "Don't put off until tomorrow what could easily be done today." With time so hard to come by, there isn't time to procrastinate. By spending a little extra time to keep myself organized, I end up saving loads of time in the long run.

Do I still feel overworked? Some days! I now feel, however, that I at least have time for my personal life. I still find it hard to leave the school before 6pm, but my whole demeanor has become much more positive and relaxed, just by giving myself some time, just for me.

Blog posted by February writer Nichole Emond, 1st grade teacher at Cary Elementary in Cary, NC.