{"id":22134,"date":"2020-06-05T17:27:27","date_gmt":"2020-06-05T17:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.xello.world\/blog\/virtual-instruction-demands-home-covid-19\/"},"modified":"2025-05-15T04:57:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T09:57:25","slug":"virtual-instruction-demands-home-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.xello.world\/en-gb\/resources\/blog-posts\/virtual-instruction-demands-home-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"How Educators Can Take Care of Their Mental Health & Avoid Burnout"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s been hard working in the education sector during these uncertain times. Many educators have been trying to juggle demands at home while attempting to master new tools and technologies to help students succeed. Read one educator’s advice on how to take care of your mental health and well-being to set yourself up for success in the fall.<\/h2>\n

You log into your virtual classroom<\/a> early, excited to connect with your twenty-five students. You miss their smiles, the routine of a normal day, and even the smart-alec kid you\u2019d begun to connect with before school doors closed. <\/span>
\nYou mentally review how you\u2019ll roll out today\u2019s lesson, one you stayed up late developing while taking engagement levels, IEPs, and access to technology and supplies into consideration.<\/span>
\nAs you sit there waiting, you notice the inch of dust collecting underneath your couch and make a mental note. You scan your head the other way and wince when you see the aftermath of this morning\u2019s breakfast prep.<\/span>
\nYou try to clear your mind and focus on the present when: <\/span>BAM<\/em>. A crash in the other room. <\/span>Did the cat get in something again? Is that my toddler crying?<\/span><\/i> You leave your space to assess the situation, pick up the mess, console your child, and rush back to your make-shift desk, only to discover you\u2019re late, breathless, and annoyed.\u00a0<\/span>
\nSound familiar?<\/span>
\nWhile there\u2019s a lot of articles out there helping parents adjust to new homeschooling routines, educators are left asking, \u201cWhat about me? How am I to juggle the needs of my students, as well of those of my family?\u201d<\/span>
\nEven though many of you are now off for the summer, it’s important to plan ahead and ensure you’re taking care of your mental health and well-being once school starts again so you’re able to show up for your students and help them succeed. Here are some steps to help you get through the summer months (if you’re taking part in summer school) and empower you to thrive when school starts in the fall.
\nCreate a Maintainable Daily Routine<\/b>
\nBe honest. Are you still holding yourself to the goal of exercising, juicing, and journaling before your first virtual meeting of the day? If so, you may be setting yourself up for emotional stress before the work day even begins.\u00a0<\/span>
\nMake sure your routine is manageable in order to create a sense of control and accomplishment. The last thing you want is to set yourself up for failure! You may need to start with baby steps: set a morning alarm, eat dinner at the table, or take a walk with your kids at the same time every day. <\/span>
\nYou may be someone who prefers weekly goals as opposed to daily ones. Consider setting and adhering to personally-set deadlines, creating and posting a certain amount of content for your students, or trying a new recipe once a week.\u00a0<\/span>
\nStart slow to learn what is attainable for your lifestyle. Are there aspects of your life in which you should be more flexible? What are your non-negotiables? You are gifting your students and their families grace; make sure you are also granting it to yourself!<\/span><\/p>\n

Set a Physical Timer<\/b><\/h3>\n

If your mind is racing with your ever-growing to-do list, set a physical timer. If your thoughts are work-related, only focus on one particular task until the timer goes off. Don\u2019t check your cell phone, open up a new internet tab, or grab a snack. <\/span>
\nBlocking everything else out sounds harsh, but it\u2019s a quick way to check items off of your list and help you feel in control. If your kid\u2019s toys are scattered everywhere in your living room, set the timer for ten minutes and pick up as many things as possible. Once again, no distractions. <\/span>
\nYou\u2019ll be amazed at how quickly time flies and how much you accomplish while focused. I am a firm believer that physical clutter creates mental clutter, so by cleaning your desk, straightening the room, or deleting some internet tabs, you are on your way to a stress-free mindset.\u00a0<\/span>
\nAdditionally, you can use a timer to schedule work breaks so you can stand up, engage in some physical activity, or enjoy a meal without your mind wandering too far away from your work. Remember that what was effective in your classroom can also work for you and your own family!<\/span><\/p>\n

Set Clear Expectations For Your Students<\/b><\/h3>\n

By now, most students have learnt how to navigate their online classrooms. However, it\u2019s never too late to establish expectations for distance learning<\/a> and remote engagement, especially if you’ll be teaching over the summer. That may mean revisiting the basics of how to pin a screen on Google Meet<\/a> or muting the <\/span>microphone<\/span> when someone else is talking. <\/span>
\nIt may also look like determining appropriate ways to connect with others online or being a respectful listener. Practicing these expectations is not just important for students now, but also helps build their executive functioning skills for future use.<\/span>
\nIn addition to identifying behavioral and social expectations, communicating clear cut academic ones will eliminate stress for you and students in the long run. <\/span>
\nAssign work within programs students are familiar with so they don\u2019t have problems accessing and operating at home. These assignments should also be clear cut so that students don\u2019t have to search for different links and resources. Less steps equals less excuses.\u00a0<\/span>
\nOne such program is Xello<\/a>, where at the click of a button, teachers can assign lessons and activities<\/a> to different groups of students, taking the guess-work out for learners and parents alike. <\/span>
\nXello also generates student-centered data, time-stamps student logins, and runs reports based on student engagement. <\/span>
\nThis information can help guide conversations in the future, either with kids in classroom meetings, individually during one-on-one check ins. or with parents as scheduled communication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Communicate That You Are There For Your Students, But Not On Call<\/b><\/h3>\n

Many educators are not only in charge of equipping parents with homeschooling help, but now also feel responsible to monitor students\u2019 emotional well-being<\/a>, access to technology, personal safety, and food security. <\/span>
\nIt\u2019s a big weight to bear, especially when educators are also carrying their own feelings of sadness and grief. In such a compassionate profession, it\u2019s hard not to constantly think about struggling families, kids potentially falling through the cracks, or colleagues that may need additional support.\u00a0<\/span>
\nRemember: We may not be able to control everything that\u2019s going on right now, but we <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> able to control how we respond to it.<\/span><\/p>\n