With the new year upon us, it’s a great time to not only make some personal resolutions, but to also determine a few professional goals that will inspire your teaching throughout the year.
Below are five resolutions that educators can focus on to make 2017 their best year yet!
1. Stay positive
Teaching is no easy task, and as a childbirth educator, it can be emotionally draining to support patients through their pregnancies and labor and delivery experiences.
For this reason, it is especially important to stay positive by looking at each day as a new beginning. This outlook will help you leave behind anything negative from the previous day and go to work ready for success every day.
2. Change up your classroom routine
Try one new technology or instructional technique every month to keep things new and challenging, both for you and your students. Plan ahead by making a list and assigning which new technique or technology you will try each month in 2017. This list will be instrumental in helping you stick with your resolution!
3. Maintain work-life balance
While it isn’t always possible to do, keep your professional and personal lives separate most of the time. When teaching, give your full energy and attention to your classroom and students. And when you’re not working, enjoy your time and don’t dwell on any issues that may be going on at work.
4. Get organized
The new year also presents a great opportunity to get organized. Implement systems to help you better stay on top of paperwork, lesson planning and record keeping. Try creating an action folder in your email inbox specifically for tasks that need to get done, and create an online folder to organize teaching ideas that you can refer to when you need some inspiration.
5. Work collaboratively with peers
Make it a goal this year to work collaboratively with peers both inside and outside of your department. Share your ideas and strategies with them, while also being open to trying out their ideas and strategies. Push yourself to try an idea that is out of your comfort zone or usual style — you may be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.
Happy New Year!
