What I’ve Noticed from Leaving the Class & Working Remote
If you’re a teacher or have a friend or family member that is a teacher you probably know how much work goes into teaching. The lesson planning, differentiated instruction, extra-curriculars, diffusing recess drama, meetings, being a kind leader for your students, communicating with parents, managing the classroom, helping a student having a breakdown and so much more. Of course, I was aware of these responsibilities before going into teaching but I didn’t realize the toll all of these responsibilities would take on me.
I enjoyed having worked in the classroom. I feel like my perspective would be different if I was still in the classroom because now that I’ve been out of it for a few months, my opinion is clouded and I only remember the good times. Joking and laughing with my students, seeing my students get that “aha moment” where they understand what I’m teaching, and students telling me I’m their favourite teacher (who doesn’t want to hear that?!). Not to mention the connections I made with the teachers at my school. There are so many positives to having worked in the classroom. But there were also a lot of negatives that make me so grateful I’m no longer teaching in the classroom and I’m now a full-time online teacher.
Here are some things I noticed about myself once I left the classroom and started working as an online teacher.
I Got My Weekends Back
This one was huge for me. Of course, veteran teachers are probably thinking, what?! I don’t work weekends either. But since I was a newer teacher and still trying to figure things out with lesson planning and assessments, I was working every single weekend and would still only have Monday and Tuesday planned. It was not sustainable. But I kept my head down and kept plugging away not realizing I was slowly burning out. Being able to have my weekends back to spend time with my friends and family was so important to me, which brings me to my next point.
I’m Happier
Having my evenings and weekends free to spend time with friends and family has been a game changer for my mental health. Having time for myself where I’m not thinking about work and can just focus on my mental health, guilt free, is such a gift that I will not take for granted. With this newfound happiness, I have noticed I’ve become a better and more present wife, sister, daughter and friend. My relationships are very important to me and I am grateful I have the time and mental capacity to connect with the ones I love and that continues to fuel my happiness.
Lower Stress Levels
The amount of energy in a school and classroom is intoxicating. Some people thrive off of it but I am left completely drained. Every time I would get a second alone, which was usually during my quick bathroom break, I would find myself taking a deep breath of relief and sometimes fighting back tears. Since becoming an online teacher, I noticed my stress levels are lower. I have time in the morning or afternoon for walks to get some fresh air, I get to take uninterrupted breaks during the day and focus on my mental health by journaling or meditating.
Better Sleep
Before, I would stay up at night overthinking my lessons, stressing about something a student said to me, worried about a meeting I had, wondering if a parent is going to email me, in all caps (aka yelling via email), it was too much. Now I’m more relaxed. I’m providing meaningful lessons to my students, I engage with students and their parents, and so far it’s always been a positive experience. Having lower stress levels and less stressors in my day has allowed me to sleep like a baby.
More Organized
In the classroom, I felt like a chicken with its head cut off. I’m running around trying to provide meaningful learning experiences but someone doesn’t have a pencil, someone hit someone, someone left the classroom without asking, someone has to call their parents, the fire alarm went off, there was always a distraction. All that is gone. I organize my lessons and assessments, during working hours I might add, I teach my lessons, I connect with my students and then I’m done for the day. I’m amazed at how organized I am now considering before I taught the same subject to multiple grades, and now I teach multiple subjects. But by eliminating all the extras that come from being in the classroom, I actually have time to get my work done during working hours and when I sign off, I don’t think about it and I enjoy my life.
Like I said before, I knew these challenges were part of the teaching gig, but realizing that I can still teach and make a difference in students lives without sacrificing my mental health and wellbeing has been my greatest accomplishment so far!
