It took me twelve years to fill my life with things other than teaching. Are you doing the most to to create a balance in your teaching career?
It has taken me twelve long years to begin to incorporate the concept of a balance in my teaching life. Part of that happened when I became a mother at the end of 2004.
During my pregnancy and even much before that, I took everything home including the mental and work sides to the trade. I called parents and prepared lessons until late at night. I couldn't disengage my mind from the events of school.
Disengaging is a very important part of the teaching profession. If I were an online teacher then I would probably just need to rest my eyes from focusing too long on the screen, but leaving and returning from school demands a more self-initiated response. It was very hard for me to do this at first so I used visualization techniques. Now, it is enough to see the gate of the kibbutz or the woodsy path leading to my home and I have already made the transition.
Once at home, I involve my life with other things such as reading to my son, writing fiction, keeping virtual touch with friends, exercising, taking walks and nice hot baths and basically trying to live life as simply and healthy as I can. This inner change inspired me to even write an article about it.
There are days when I can't disengage my mind quickly because the day was uneventfully long or hard. I have experienced several instances with parents that drained me emotionally and took a toll on my mental health.
In this respect, these twelve years have been a series of various lessons that have taught me much about myself and where I am headed. I'm glad for my sake and my students' sake, that I have now created a more balanced life. My family is happier too!
