Here’s how you know whether your school year is tenable.
Will I be able to do it again next year?
Based on that question, there are some teaching years in my past that were just barely tenable. Because I started full prep for the next school year still exhausted from the last one.
But last year’s busy-ness was on the high end, and I feel ready for the next one. I think it comes down to three factors and one question:
- I’m more efficient now. Institutional memory is great, but personal memory helps me do things better and with less lost sleep.
- I’m better at delegating now. I have learned to put down weights and trust other people to pick them up.
- I prioritize rest during my slower moments.
And the question: Will I be able to do this again next year?
I asked the question as I went last year. And if the answer wasn’t yes, I figured out a way to let something go.