Learn to say no The Journal of Quebec

Every new academic year, I am happy to see my colleagues again. People smile easily, humor is in sight, the teacher’s room is full of energy.

Let’s just say the summer holidays allowed all these beautiful people to recharge their batteries. A “must”, because the school year is like a marathon. It is long. There were times when it hurt Rolls and others.

You need to know how to run your race if you want to cross the finish line. And when your race starts, when you’re physically and mentally strong, there’s a risk of starting a little too fast.

Battery life

Before students arrive, teachers (or staff) are asked to participate in a new project, new task, or committee. At present, many teachers are enthusiastically adding extras to their regular duties.

But there’s a risk in taking yourself for the Energizer Bunny.

August’s sudden “yes” turns into a nightmare “Why did I say yes?” During the fall. Taking on too much responsibility and being too ambitious can lead to burnout in November.

In this regard, my colleague Hugo Laplante gave me a reading on the occasion: Not again! How to keep yourself from overextending yourself this year.

Whether you are a teacher or not, I invite you to read this text.

According to the author, one of the most consistent predictors of teacher attrition is the high number of additional tasks they perform, such as serving on various committees or fulfilling administrative duties. These non-teaching roles have only increased in recent years.

Experts say setting clear boundaries and prioritizing certain tasks is important to help avoid stress and burnout later in the school year.

Learn to say no

According to the author, a teacher should ask himself a few questions to decide whether a task is worth investing his time in:

– Does this commitment allow me to use my strengths to help others?

– Will it help my professional growth?

– Will accepting this commitment reduce my ability to fulfill my current obligations?

– What can I take off my plate before adding something new?

Along with your own thought process, it’s a good idea to consult with a potential colleague before accepting a new job.

Teaching is a demanding profession on a human level. Teaching, among other things, requires being empathetic, generous and caring. Surprisingly, we have a large number of “natural caregivers” in our community.

“The main problem with teachers is that they try to please everyone all the time.” – Kitty Boitnot

To my esteemed colleagues, whom I sincerely call volunteers, take care of yourselves!

We want you to cross the finish line.