Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance, is it possible? Does it exist for educators? Eighth grade language arts teacher Ryan Roach talks with OEA Grow host Jesse about what work-life balance means to him. For Ryan, it’s not only the traditional sense of work-life balance, but more about making a decision about what to attend to in each moment. For example, staying in the present moment whether you’re in the classroom, at home with family, spending time in nature, or exercising. It’s also about valuing our work as educators, as family members, and as humans, and recognizing that our value and our students’ value is not in being perfect. We can strive to accept that no educator can solve all of the problems they see, but instead, approach our jobs in a more healthy, realistic, and contented way. 

 

Resources:

A New Way to Think about Work-Life Balance - Edutopia

How to be More Present in Relationships - Psychology Today

Stepping off the Scale: Rethinking the Idea of Work-Life Balance - Resilient Educator

How to Harness Imperfection as a Teacher - Teach for Australia

Being Okay with Imperfection in My First Months of Teaching - Knowles Teacher Initiative