My New School Year Resolutions

The waning days of summer....

The kids were up and moving early this morning. Both of them headed to school to get their class schedules, their locker assignments and new ID's. We are all getting closer to the beginning of another school year.

My summer ends on Wednesday when I return for my second year as a teacher of special needs children. It was a good, but very hectic and chaotic first year. We opened a new school in a half completed building with a staff of teachers and administrators who were all new to their respective jobs.

I learned a lot. Education has changed so much in the 16 years I spent away from the field. Though many things are different, some aspects of teaching remain the same. Reflecting back on my stress filled year, I have decided I need to make some changes.

The beginning of the year is a good time to instill some good habits in order to remain healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Here are a few of my "new school year resolutions."

1. I will make the time to write each day.

I will not use the stress of a long workday as an excuse not to blog daily. It's my creative outlet and a great counterbalance to the paperwork I encounter everyday.

2.I will find the time to exercise daily.

I need the physical release to counteract the long hours on my feet, and the mental calm a long walk or yoga brings to my frazzled thoughts.

3.I will treat the drama that often surrounds me as a poisonous plant.

I may gaze upon it, but I refuse to touch it. Some people thrive on a diet of continuous theatrics and commotion. I find it emotionally draining.

4. I will set aside some quiet, meditative time each day.

In order to recharge and effectively shift gears between my two full time jobs (teaching and my family); I need sit quietly with myself. It will create a calm and peaceful center. And it will keep me from feeing as if I am juggling a bunch of spinning plates.

I'll check in from time to time and let you know how it's going.

Creative Discipline

This is my 100th blog post since beginning this project over a year ago.

I haven't always been faithful. There were long pauses between thoughts, especially last fall-winter. I was kind of busy trying to stay afloat in the sea of confusion that defined my job most of the year.

So, this summer I wanted to make some changes: more exercise, more mindful eating, more creative outlets to balance the lack of creativity that comes with teaching to state mandated standards.


I decided in July that I would give myself a challenge; write everyday. I don't mean just blog everyday, but to also get back into the habit of journalling regularly.

I find that I need the daily discipline as much as I crave the creative outlet. I've have a deep desire to get all of the thoughts crowding my brain, clamoring for attention down on a page. It's a driving need that helps me stay balanced and sane.


So far, so good. I have blogged religiously for the last 22 days and I have recorded my thoughts in my journal, too.

I found a cool app that allows me to write a quick summary of my day, and I am exercising more (walking and yoga), and eating less.

Life is good. But now comes the tricky part-maintaining all these disciplines when the school year begins.

Wish me luck!