During winter break, many educators
feel a sense of tension. This tension
occurs as they are heading into the second half of the academic year. It emerges because there is a realization of the
various tasks that must be accomplished before the end of the year. It is possible to feel anxious and distraught
that many of the items on the To –Do list from the first semester have not been
addressed. Instead of focusing on what
hasn’t been done, during this break, it’s necessary to look at what has been accomplished
and press RESET.
Reset allows you to begin again. Similar to the small button on your phone or
iPad that gives your device a surge of energy, educators need a similar
button. The winter break serves as that button. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the first
part of the year, but also look at what changes need to be made as you walk
into the second half of the school year.
Reset isn’t a do over, and it shouldn’t
be addressed as such. You aren’t
starting over, but you are learning from the mistakes made during the first
half of the school year.
As you are resting over the break, take
a few hours and look at where enhancements can be made to your schedule, time
management, or lesson planning. These
enhancements are specifically for the benefit of instruction and
improvement. During this necessary
break, take a few moments to reflect, reset and restart.
