Free Teacher Resources - Simply STEAM Education

I’ve got six FREE teacher resources for distance learning PLUS three helpful tips for setting boundaries so you can save your sanity!

It’s a FRESH year. You’ve got new expectations and a new class. Now is the time to start setting boundaries with your students, faculty, parents, and with your friends and family. This will keep you from TEACHER BURNOUT!

Here are three ways you can set boundaries now!

1. Learn and know when to say NO!

No? No question, we mean no!

Before you say no to everything, you’ve got to learn when to say it. To know how to do that, first begin reflecting on previous school years and what triggered stress, depression, and/or anxiety. Some things to consider are students, parents, faculty, and friends/family.

If this is your first year teaching, here are a few questions you should consider asking. When are:

office hours?
phone hours?
personal hours for doing nothing?
personal hours for family/spouse/friends?
What extracurricular activities am I willing to do? Am I passionate about it?
What extracurricular activities am I not willing to do? Why?

Once you have clearly defined your boundaries, you’ll feel more confident saying, “No”.

2. Be upfront!

Understand why you need boundaries.

Here’s the thing, many times we agree to something hoping to satisfy or “help” another person. It’s especially natural for us teachers! In reality, we do something for someone else in hopes to “make a difference”, yet we rarely feel that way.

This is because we have neglected our own needs!

Did you grab last weeks FREE teacher resources?

It’s important for you to respect your needs by being upfront. You don’t need to make up a lie or ghost a friend. Just be upfront. If you’re afraid of hurting someone else’s feelings or feeling like you’re being “mean”, ask yourself why?

Is the person you’re worried about a true friend? Are you really being disrespectful? You shouldn’t be if you’re being upfront. Try to remember that the reaction of others is their response to the thing they said yes to.

This is NOT your problem!

3. Set realistic expectations for yourself and others.

Respecting yourself means respecting your boundaries.

Let’s be real – not everything in life is going to be sunshine and rainbows. Just know, you will have obligations and duties that are not pleasant (like speaking to parents about another school incident). Life was not made to be easy.

Set realistic boundaries.

Is it realistic to say you won’t call parents at all? No. Additionally, it’s not realistic to say that you won’t be doing any leadership activities while teaching. In case you didn’t know, it comes with the job. But, that doesn’t mean you need to take on EVERY leadership role.

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This week, focus on setting your boundaries!

Learn and know when to say NO!
Be upfront.
Set realistic expectations for yourselves and others.

Creating these boundaries will free you from guilt, stress, and anxiety. Seriously! Also, I want to mention that I’m super grateful for my sweet friend who I often call on for laughs and support. Thanks for helping me write this.

Melissa Brooky, LCSW You are the bomb! I’m so grateful for you always advocating for our mental health. Love you, sweet friend!

Now, here’s what you’ve been waiting for. Our SIX free teacher resources. I want to thank The Owl Teacher, Teaching Second Grade, Teacher’s Brain, Lisa Taylor Teaching the Stars, and Where the Teacher Things Are for supporting these Friday FREEBIES and advocating for teachers.