As educators, it is easy to get wrapped up in the day- to- day, neverending, "to-do" list of lesson planning, photocopying, cleaning, organizing materials, creating new supplies and manipulatives, and e-mailing parents, community support individuals, and school staff.

Quite often, we push ourselves to complete "just one more" task before calling it quits for the day. That "one more task" often becomes two, three, or four.  Many of us arrive at work atleast an hour before the school day starts, and stay well after the end-of-the-day comes to a close. This does not count the amount of time spent working from home.

I am one of "these" teachers! At my first teaching job, I did not have a planning period. Added to that was the fact that I started teaching halfway through the school year, and did not have time to organize my classroom, my materials, or my lesson plans prior to the start of my position. Needless to say, I was the first teacher to arrive at school every day (quite often the lights were not even on, yet, so I was navigating my way through dark hallways) and the last to leave. School started at 8:40. I arrived between 6:30 and 7:00. School ended at 3:40, yet I was often at school until 7:30 p.m. or later. This was especially true during the first few months, as I was going through all of the "junk" left by the previous teachers. I sorted through FIVE filing cabinets of paperwork, and even found a notebook of behavioral notes dated 1986! This was 2002, and I was in 5th grade in 1986!!! As the school year progressed and I slowly made my classroom my own, I tried to make a conscious effort to keep a healthy balance, as I knew that I could always find "something" to do at work, if I didn't limit myself to a reasonable work day.

As my career progressed, I completed my Masters degree and 30 credits beyond, all while working full time. I got myself into a habit of "work", and the first five years passed by in a blur. At the same time, I was aware of the fact that I wanted a healthy balance. I wanted a life, a family of my own, I wanted to enjoy my career, yet not let my career be my only focus. I tried to be mindful of the fact that personal time is important to overall health and wellness, and is vitual to maintaining a healthy & rewarding career.

One way to maintain a healthy balance is to chose a "buddy" that will support you in this endeavor. Someone who can help you remember to set a clear limit to the amount of time spent "at work", and  for whom you can do the same. For example, I also have a friend who easily gets caught up in work related tasks, as I do. If gone unchecked, both of us could easily work ourselves to the point that stress overwhelms us. We are both teaching summer school this year, are both taking classes, and both have busy personal lives. We have, without actually resolving to do so, kept an eye out for one another, and have supported each other in our personal and professional objectives. The other day, I walked into this teacher's classroom (15 minutes after the kids had left) and said, "Okay, you have five minutes and then we are leaving, what can I help you with?". Obviously, if there is something that is immediately pressing and that requires that one of us has to stay after on occasion, we would communicate that to one another. Generally, however, having a buddy system is a great way to help ourselves (and one another) to keep our priorities in -check and to maintain a healthy career & personal balance.

So, all of you hardworking educators out there, go find yourselves a "work buddy", resolve to leave work tasks to a healthy minimum, and get out side to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air!!!   

DSimpson