I feel like you are working so much, especially after school! But honestly, I was the same way in my 30s. Once I had my son things came to a critical point where I had to adopt a “done is better than perfect” attitude when it came to school work. Listening to your podcast for the last 5 years and Angela Watson’s over the last 8-10 years really helped me find a balance. You’re in a season where it makes sense to work a lot and these seasons will change as life goes on. Thanks for sharing it with us! You’re a great teacher.
You give me the courage to continue my career. In year 37, many say why are you still doing this? You show that there is a purpose in this profession. Much love to you during this very grateful season❤❤
I know everyone is going to comment on all the extra hours you are currently working, but I think after a break out of the classroom that it's kind of like doing your first year all over again. I have no doubt that you'll be able to reduce those extra hours next year. Thanks for the video!
I'm so glad you're enjoying your new school. Sounds like a similar experience I'm having at my new school. I'm so incredibly thankful compared to schools I've been at in the past. Wonderful community, wonderful admin, sweet kids. Makes you appreciate it more when you've had bad experiences. I'm so happy for you and pray you continue to enjoy your time. The kids need you! You're an amazing educator!
I recently did some PDs over the summer and one really huge take away for me was how to be really honest with myself about how much time outside of school I should be working. I run the After School program at my school, so I'm always "working" for 2 hours after school: sometimes I'm very productive with that (planning or grading) and sometimes I need to do nothing. I've also started being very intentional with my prep time: planning ahead or grading. One promise I've made myself this school year is to not take anything work home with me. Tbh, that hasn't always panned out, but for the most part I am staying true to my promise. Look, grading is always going to be there. The only time I'm taking grading home at the very end of the quarter or writing that needs grading (I have to be in a particular mind set that's hard to be in at school, lol). Planning ahead has really been a game changer for me this year. Wow, this is a long comment. Bottom line: give yourself grace if you are going in early and staying late. I'd make the most of that time so when you go home you can be "home" and not working.
I think as teachers we thrive on stress. If I did not have a lot to do I make a lot to do. I have been teaching 29 years and I always have something I am working on and making. Aren’t we all?
I agree on finding a good school and with great staff. I have that this year after 2 years of being bullied by staff and almost wanted to quit. I am too falling in love with teaching again this year. Hope the best for the rest of this year and beyond.
I admire you for keeping up with your workout schedule and keeping with your hardwired habits!. Thats usually the first thing to go when school starts.
Michelle!! I am going back to fulltime teaching next year (January here in Australia) after having 4 years off having kids. Your videos are so motivating!
An alternative to the kennel for Ember you might want to consider is a playpen. You can even attach the kennel to it. It’s a wired playpen made out of the same material most open crates are. I have one for my dog when she stays at home & she loves it. Gives them a bit more room to move around.
After an extremely busy and stressful month, this is just the video that I needed! I’m finally caught up on your videos! Just hearing your perspective really made me feel so validated and better about all of the work I put in to teaching, when after 27 years I don’t really need to. I’m so with you on grading. I enjoy that as well and I actually saved my grading for this weekend so I can get cozy in the couch and grade while I watch my favorite shows. Also 🙌 to being organized to remain at peace. It’s the same for me. If I’m super organized about things I feel so much calmer and better about life in general. I’m so happy to finally have the time again for your videos and to comment. I know I’ve been slacking but you know. Life has been life-ing. I wish you and your family a very happy thanksgiving and I hope you get to do all the things that make you happy and bring you joy this weekend! Also, please tell your dad I miss his videos!
I understand how getting to school early makes you feel!! My best friend and I are the first teachers at our school, however, now I don’t really stay afterschool!!
Hey Michelle!! I wanted to thank you for your angle setup for this video! I’m visually impaired and although I love the color changing lamp, when the bulb itself is in the frame it’s very distracting. Watching this video with the bulb out of the frame was SO much better. I got to enjoy the video and the changing light!! Thanks!!! ❤🎉
That was fun. When I was teaching I never even thought that I might could take a year off. I think that's perfect. Teaching fire several years, take a break, come back. I guess income issues would make it prohibitive for some. Really fun video!
I am on my third year of teaching and I also suffer with needing to do it all, and do it all well. I spend 4 hours over contract hours most days so that I can keep up. I am a self-contained special education teacher and the required data collection and paperwork are a second full time job. Teacher burn out is so real and so unfortunate because teachers that spend all of those extra hours are usually absolutely amazing!
Happy Wednesday, Michelle! This was one of my favorite recent videos of yours because you covered so many topics. I am glad to hear that you are so happy at your new school. Thanks for all you do! Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy some delicious food! 💜
Hello Michelle, thankyou for your videos. The must do may do sounds like ketchup and pickles that you used to do when you taught in Maryland.Also I am like you with everything having its place so I completely understand. Continue to flourish and I look forward to seeing your upcoming videos heading into the Christmas period and 2025.
I appreciate the tip for handling graded papers. I’ve been struggling with that. Recent years I’ve had so many unfinished papers, incomplete work, etc… The kids that don’t finish assignments are sometimes the kids that are being pulled for Resource and or EL so it’s tough. I get so behind. Then I have kids turn in papers if they don’t finish and it gets lost under a sea of papers. So I’m gonna create an Incomplete basket. Plus, I’m tired of graded papers at home and I know I’m not using my plan time and end of the day wisely. 😅 So much to work on, I know!!!! But I’m going to use the graded bin, Thursday Folders (for me) and see what happens.
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability! Sharing your routines and systems is very helpful - most teachers do not get to see how fellow teachers set up their classroom structures. This year my school is having new teachers (to the profession or new to the district/school) go on Learning Walks. This occurs during 1 planning period and has been pre-arranged with the teachers whose classrooms will be visited, The Walk provides the teacher opportunities to see other structures being used : classroom management, organizational ideas, classroom setup ideas, etc. The culture at my school is very similar to yours - Our faculty works as a team to support and help each other. Thank you for sharing and creating the videos - You making a positive difference in a lot of teachers and our profession! Quick Question - What science curriculum do you use?
Hi there. I was wondering if you could do a video on lesson planning ideas for those of us who may only teach once a week. I have looked online however info is limited especially on weekly lectures vs standard Monday to Friday lesson planning. Thanks again!
You school sound so great in terms of being elementary public school. My is too except many students are low income and receive school lunch program. The principal have been in our school for 5 years. I think she is trying her best creating a school community and culture. We so much diversity. For example, many our students are English Second Language.
In Washington where I help out our elementary school do Euraka Math for 4th grade. So I know what they are learning and teaching. Help out with a small group base on skill levels.
Great video! Could you work on being ‘leaner’ with your time with your job? It’s so easy to justify staying late. Are you first one in and last one out? Could you find something else to do - a new hobby ?Or extra time chilling out on the sofa? Stick closer to the contracted time ? It’s a challenge / change of mindset but worth it.
Listened to what you said about your dog. Don’t be too hard on yourself about her being kenneled. I also work at a school. And we kennel our dachshund. He is an absolute mess of anxiety when left out. I jokingly say he allows us to leave when he’s kenneled. We do similar to what you do when I’m out of school we kennel him at a minimum.
Do you have any tips for learning the standards? I am in my 5th year teaching, but I have switched positions every year, so I haven't had a chance to really memorize the standards. That is always something I feel like I get dinged on when I receive feedback on my observations-not knowing the standards well. This year I am in a new school, so for my 1st observation, my supervisor did not ding me on it, and told me in my post-observation conference that she understand that I am still learning the standards, so she does not expect me to have them down pat yet. Four out of the 5 years that I have been teaching I have been in special ed, so I sometimes teach multiple grade levels as well. I feel better that I finally am in a school where I feel that admin is more realistic in their expectations of teachers, but I still want to improve and learn & really familiarize myself with the standards. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the videos!
I honestly don't know how anyone makes it on teachers pay teachers. It's a terrible website that takes almost everything. I feel bad when it doesn't work out.
We also use Eureka (“Texas” edition) but have found some standards that do not align with the TEKS. We always have the TEKS out when planning. This is the 2nd year for our district to use this curriculum. Prior to this, we used best practices (teacher created materials).
![Bilan de décembre // Remplissage de Janvier [Budget]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2Mj5AACnkg4/mqdefault.jpg)
I feel like you are working so much, especially after school! But honestly, I was the same way in my 30s. Once I had my son things came to a critical point where I had to adopt a “done is better than perfect” attitude when it came to school work. Listening to your podcast for the last 5 years and Angela Watson’s over the last 8-10 years really helped me find a balance. You’re in a season where it makes sense to work a lot and these seasons will change as life goes on. Thanks for sharing it with us! You’re a great teacher.
You match your bulletin board and I’m HERE for it! ❤😂
You give me the courage to continue my career. In year 37, many say why are you still doing this?
You show that there is a purpose in this profession. Much love to you during this very grateful season❤❤
37 is wayyyy different though, that's past retirement
@ not for me❤️❤️
I know everyone is going to comment on all the extra hours you are currently working, but I think after a break out of the classroom that it's kind of like doing your first year all over again. I have no doubt that you'll be able to reduce those extra hours next year. Thanks for the video!
I'm so glad you're enjoying your new school. Sounds like a similar experience I'm having at my new school. I'm so incredibly thankful compared to schools I've been at in the past. Wonderful community, wonderful admin, sweet kids. Makes you appreciate it more when you've had bad experiences. I'm so happy for you and pray you continue to enjoy your time. The kids need you! You're an amazing educator!
Wow! That’s not a lot of sleep for having to teach all day. Please take care of yourself
I recently did some PDs over the summer and one really huge take away for me was how to be really honest with myself about how much time outside of school I should be working. I run the After School program at my school, so I'm always "working" for 2 hours after school: sometimes I'm very productive with that (planning or grading) and sometimes I need to do nothing. I've also started being very intentional with my prep time: planning ahead or grading. One promise I've made myself this school year is to not take anything work home with me. Tbh, that hasn't always panned out, but for the most part I am staying true to my promise. Look, grading is always going to be there. The only time I'm taking grading home at the very end of the quarter or writing that needs grading (I have to be in a particular mind set that's hard to be in at school, lol). Planning ahead has really been a game changer for me this year. Wow, this is a long comment. Bottom line: give yourself grace if you are going in early and staying late. I'd make the most of that time so when you go home you can be "home" and not working.
I think as teachers we thrive on stress. If I did not have a lot to do I make a lot to do. I have been teaching 29 years and I always have something I am working on and making. Aren’t we all?
I agree on finding a good school and with great staff. I have that this year after 2 years of being bullied by staff and almost wanted to quit. I am too falling in love with teaching again this year. Hope the best for the rest of this year and beyond.
I admire you for keeping up with your workout schedule and keeping with your hardwired habits!. Thats usually the first thing to go when school starts.
Michelle!! I am going back to fulltime teaching next year (January here in Australia) after having 4 years off having kids. Your videos are so motivating!
An alternative to the kennel for Ember you might want to consider is a playpen. You can even attach the kennel to it. It’s a wired playpen made out of the same material most open crates are. I have one for my dog when she stays at home & she loves it. Gives them a bit more room to move around.
After an extremely busy and stressful month, this is just the video that I needed! I’m finally caught up on your videos! Just hearing your perspective really made me feel so validated and better about all of the work I put in to teaching, when after 27 years I don’t really need to. I’m so with you on grading. I enjoy that as well and I actually saved my grading for this weekend so I can get cozy in the couch and grade while I watch my favorite shows. Also 🙌 to being organized to remain at peace. It’s the same for me. If I’m super organized about things I feel so much calmer and better about life in general. I’m so happy to finally have the time again for your videos and to comment. I know I’ve been slacking but you know. Life has been life-ing. I wish you and your family a very happy thanksgiving and I hope you get to do all the things that make you happy and bring you joy this weekend! Also, please tell your dad I miss his videos!
I understand how getting to school early makes you feel!! My best friend and I are the first teachers at our school, however, now I don’t really stay afterschool!!
Hey Michelle!! I wanted to thank you for your angle setup for this video! I’m visually impaired and although I love the color changing lamp, when the bulb itself is in the frame it’s very distracting. Watching this video with the bulb out of the frame was SO much better. I got to enjoy the video and the changing light!! Thanks!!! ❤🎉
That was fun. When I was teaching I never even thought that I might could take a year off. I think that's perfect. Teaching fire several years, take a break, come back. I guess income issues would make it prohibitive for some.
Really fun video!
I considered doing online tutoring but one things I came to is that I enjoy actually work with kids in person .
Could you share more about your progress with your 52 books in your videos?
I am on my third year of teaching and I also suffer with needing to do it all, and do it all well. I spend 4 hours over contract hours most days so that I can keep up. I am a self-contained special education teacher and the required data collection and paperwork are a second full time job. Teacher burn out is so real and so unfortunate because teachers that spend all of those extra hours are usually absolutely amazing!
Happy Wednesday, Michelle! This was one of my favorite recent videos of yours because you covered so many topics. I am glad to hear that you are so happy at your new school. Thanks for all you do! Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy some delicious food! 💜
You are so disciplined and motivated!
Hello Michelle, thankyou for your videos. The must do may do sounds like ketchup and pickles that you used to do when you taught in Maryland.Also I am like you with everything having its place so I completely understand. Continue to flourish and I look forward to seeing your upcoming videos heading into the Christmas period and 2025.
Oh my goodness, that is an INSANE amount of extra working hours 😭.
Glad to hear. Take care of yourself.
Will you do another meal prep video? And are you still making time for the reading books every month?
I appreciate the tip for handling graded papers. I’ve been struggling with that. Recent years I’ve had so many unfinished papers, incomplete work, etc… The kids that don’t finish assignments are sometimes the kids that are being pulled for Resource and or EL so it’s tough. I get so behind. Then I have kids turn in papers if they don’t finish and it gets lost under a sea of papers. So I’m gonna create an Incomplete basket. Plus, I’m tired of graded papers at home and I know I’m not using my plan time and end of the day wisely. 😅 So much to work on, I know!!!! But I’m going to use the graded bin, Thursday Folders (for me) and see what happens.
What does your school/district think of your vlogging? Do your students know you are on UA-cam?
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability! Sharing your routines and systems is very helpful - most teachers do not get to see how fellow teachers set up their classroom structures. This year my school is having new teachers (to the profession or new to the district/school) go on Learning Walks. This occurs during 1 planning period and has been pre-arranged with the teachers whose classrooms will be visited, The Walk provides the teacher opportunities to see other structures being used : classroom management, organizational ideas, classroom setup ideas, etc. The culture at my school is very similar to yours - Our faculty works as a team to support and help each other. Thank you for sharing and creating the videos - You making a positive difference in a lot of teachers and our profession! Quick Question - What science curriculum do you use?
Hi there. I was wondering if you could do a video on lesson planning ideas for those of us who may only teach once a week. I have looked online however info is limited especially on weekly lectures vs standard Monday to Friday lesson planning. Thanks again!
You school sound so great in terms of being elementary public school. My is too except many students are low income and receive school lunch program. The principal have been in our school for 5 years. I think she is trying her best creating a school community and culture. We so much diversity. For example, many our students are English Second Language.
In Washington where I help out our elementary school do Euraka Math for 4th grade. So I know what they are learning and teaching. Help out with a small group base on skill levels.
Great video! Could you work on being ‘leaner’ with your time with your job? It’s so easy to justify staying late. Are you first one in and last one out?
Could you find something else to do - a new hobby ?Or extra time chilling out on the sofa? Stick closer to the contracted time ? It’s a challenge / change of mindset but worth it.
Quick question any updates on you learning Spanish.
Hi Michelle how come you don’t wear your hair straight instead of curly. Can you do a morning routine.
Its was February you got up at 5 AM since it only have 28 days
How do you get ready so fast in the morning?!?!
Listened to what you said about your dog. Don’t be too hard on yourself about her being kenneled. I also work at a school. And we kennel our dachshund. He is an absolute mess of anxiety when left out. I jokingly say he allows us to leave when he’s kenneled. We do similar to what you do when I’m out of school we kennel him at a minimum.
Do you have any tips for learning the standards? I am in my 5th year teaching, but I have switched positions every year, so I haven't had a chance to really memorize the standards. That is always something I feel like I get dinged on when I receive feedback on my observations-not knowing the standards well. This year I am in a new school, so for my 1st observation, my supervisor did not ding me on it, and told me in my post-observation conference that she understand that I am still learning the standards, so she does not expect me to have them down pat yet. Four out of the 5 years that I have been teaching I have been in special ed, so I sometimes teach multiple grade levels as well. I feel better that I finally am in a school where I feel that admin is more realistic in their expectations of teachers, but I still want to improve and learn & really familiarize myself with the standards. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the videos!
Does your district use a website with the standards and units on it?
Yes. My current one does.
Have you ever thought of instructional coaching or leadership careers?
Ur dog is in a kennel from 6am to 8pm...without a bathroom break?
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I guess I missed you getting a dog. I knew you had a cat.
I honestly don't know how anyone makes it on teachers pay teachers. It's a terrible website that takes almost everything. I feel bad when it doesn't work out.
❤❤
Why did. You stop teaching for 3 years
Everyone uses Eureka and it's not aligned to Texas
We also use Eureka (“Texas” edition) but have found some standards that do not align with the TEKS. We always have the TEKS out when planning. This is the 2nd year for our district to use this curriculum. Prior to this, we used best practices (teacher created materials).