Most states are either on school holidays this week, or are in their final week of term time.
Term 2 is always a particularly hectic term – aren’t they all? – due to report writing pressures, and in some states the fact that this year, schools have had to squeeze ten weeks worth of stuff into 9 weeks.
So as holidays come around, it’s important for teachers to ensure they get a good break. Make sure they recharge.
I think teachers understand the need to do this, but as technology continues to overtake humanity, I also think our ability to do this is being hamstrung.
For example – how many of you are reading this during your break from work?
Good in one sense – for me – as it’s nice to know people read what I write, but how many of you accessed this article through your work email?
How many of you have had to respond to work related emails during your break?
Let me rephrase that. How many of you have had to respond to work related emails during your break? Or could they have waited till you got back to school?
I’ll bet the answer to the second question is significantly less than the answer to the first.
Here’s the thing, we look after our iPads better than we look after ourselves.
There, I’ve said it. What I mean is, I bet you let your iPad recharge every night but how many of us start each day on 35% battery life?
One of the most powerful aspects of technology is the ability for us to live an on demand lifestyle. We can get what we want, when we want. It’s called Anywhere, Anytime technology.
These holidays let’s make sure it doesn’t become Everywhere, All the time technology.
Switch off, relax and recharge. Term 3 is just around the corner!
Author: Dan Haesler is a teacher, consultant and speaker at the Mental Health & Wellbeing of Young People seminars. His website is: http://danhaesler.com/ and he tweets at @danhaesler
I love the analogy of recharging the ipad but we wake up only 35% recharged. Maybe a good reminder that each time we plug our mobiles/ipads to recharge we take in 7 deep breaths or practice a 3 minute mindfulness!
I started teaching in 1989 as a Part-time Trade Teacher (NSW TAFE) and went Fulltime the following year, and quickly discovered that the term breaks I needed to restore my energies (the first week to un-wind and the second to rest). My Trade Teaching position (here in Qld) has now been demoted to that of a Trainer, and as such the term breaks are now non-instruction time and the College can ask you to do other duties and reduce any chance of getting a rest.
I didn’t agree with this change to (our) status at the time of our Collective agreement, but the majority vote saw it go through into our conditions. Thank you for your article, it reminds me of what I once had.