Professional Learning for Busy Educators

It can be so easy to get caught up in the rat race of life and find ourselves constantly busy. Especially for educators. Even more so for school librarians who have a billion-and-one things on our plates on any given day.

For me, the end of the school year has always been the most hectic time. Standardized testing. End-of-the-year collection inventory. Panicked students needing help with citations ten minutes before a term paper is due. Yeah, I’ve definitely experienced overwhelm at this time of year.

Dr. Seuss is gold–whimsical and visually interesting traipses through surreal worlds, and always full of life advice.

And life advice is learning advice, and learning advice–well, that’s why we’re all here, yes?

There are themes below that apply directly to the responsibilities of a teacher. Let’s face it–teaching is an emotional roller coaster, and a microcosm for life itself, full of tedium and wonder, disappointment and triumph, down days and days to celebrate. Take #11 for example–you have brains in your head and feet on your choose, you can steer yourself any direction you choose–can be both encouragement to elementary students, or high school students taking themselves–and life–too seriously.

Winnie the Pooh has been around since 1924. He has lead many of us through the Hundred Acre Wood with his fun adventures.

He has shared with us inspiring wisdom that will forever resonate in our hearts. Even though this article does not really do this justice it is a small look into the priceless wisdom that was given.

"For several months, Cara has been working up the courage to approach her mom about what she saw on Instagram. Not long ago, the 11-year-old—who, like all the other kids in this story, is referred to by a pseudonym—discovered that her mom had been posting photos of her, without prior approval, for much of her life. “I’ve wanted to bring it up. It’s weird seeing myself up there, and sometimes there’s pics I don’t like of myself,” she said."

Our culture is obsessed with happiness, but what if there's a more fulfilling path? Happiness comes and goes, says writer Emily Esfahani Smith, but having meaning in life -- serving something beyond yourself and developing the best within you -- gives you something to hold onto. Learn more about the difference between being happy and having meaning as Smith offers four pillars of a meaningful life.

Educators never get a break. Oftentimes they see their students in their community, grade papers and plan lessons, and become emotionally invested in the lives of each of their students — all outside of classroom hours. Children of teachers can sometimes feel they rank below their parents’ other “kids” at times. To avoid burnout and keep yourself happy at work and at home, remind yourself that teachers can have a work-life balance and follow these tips for creating it.