Teacher Burnout

     With the close of this school year, I will be closing a chapter of my professional life.  I will hopefully be opening a new chapter at a different school in my district.  This past year has been a tough one...new administration, differing viewpoints on teaching style and strategies, new teachers, and new district incentives.  In these 180 days, I found myself struggling with my purpose and my career.  Here's where I had to be honest with myself...I was ready to quit.  I don't mean give up and take a break.  I mean I was ready to quit teaching all together.
     There is a stigma in the business world that all small businesses will fail within the first five years.  After this school year, I firmly believe it's the same for teacher burnout.  Coming out of college, I would have never thought that I would be sitting here blogging about teacher burnout.  I'm only FOUR YEARS IN!  Sadly, when I did some research, I'm not the only one.  The National Commission on Teaching and America's Future found that about half of all teachers leave the field after five years.            Education is the most rewarding and the most stressful job in the universe.  All of the student notes and hugs and kind words make being a teacher easier, but sadly those innocent youngins will never understand the stress and hard work that goes into every day in the classroom.
     One of the most important things in a school setting is the team.  Teachers and administrators have to trust and rely on each other.  This is a two-way street and I'll admit that I did not necessarily hold up my end this year.  Just like classroom teachers are "trained" to get-to-know our students, educators need to do the same (even if you worked with the same group in the previous year).  The relationships must be built.
     Fairly recently, a former administrator shared a link to an article about teacher burnout (12 Choices to Help You Step Back From Burnout).  It shares 12 conscientious choices we can all make effortlessly to come out from the burnout feeling.  This was perfect for my moment in time!  It was exactly what I needed to read!  I plan on referring back to it in coming years when the work gets tough.  I know it will be!  I've listed the choices below, but please click the link above for further details of each.

Choice #1: Choose to be happy.  Happiness is a choice.
Choice #2: Choose to disconnect.  Unplug once a week.  Be a human being, not a human doing.
Choice #3: Choose to be mindful.  Find a personal sense of peace.
Choice #4: Choose to make time for sleep.  Making $60,000 more in annual income has less of an effect on your daily happiness than getting one extra hour of sleep per night.
Choice #5: Choose to get outside and get moving.  Even five minutes of outside exercise can boost your mood.
Choice #6: Choose to be grateful.
Choice #7: Choose what to overlook.  The greatest remedy for anger is delay.
Choice #8: Choose what battles to fight.
Choice #9: Choose what to do next and what to stop doing.  Remember your mistakes, but keep your eyes facing front towards your current surroundings.
Choice #10: Choose to enjoy the relationships that matter.  Don't be so busy making a living that you forget to make time for living.
Choice #11: Choose to make a schedule and a priority list.
Choice #12: Choose to finish well.  No matter how you started the year, finish well.

 I have already started my new choices and plan to refocus and recharge over this summer.  I will be back at it in August!  Sometimes we just need to stop and regroup!

Interval training:Cardio

     One of the things that I don't always love to do...is cardio.  I run (sometimes) and I know it's benefits but cardio exercises take so much energy!!!  LOL I think that's the point!  Anyway, I have been searching lately for some more motivating cardio exercise routines to break up the treadmill days.  This is a simple, at-home cardio circuit that can be intense or not-so-intense depending on how you're feeling that day.  You'll need an interval timer...there's a free app for your smart phone.  I usually do each section three times to make about a 45 minute workout.  Of course, always do what feels good to you!  Start out with each section one time all the way through.  If you feel like after that, definitely start from the top and hit it again!  Enjoy :)

At-Home Cardio

60 seconds: Jumping Jacks

60 seconds: Side to Side Leaps

~rest for 60 seconds~

60 seconds: Run in Place

60 seconds: Shuffle Side to Side

REST ONE MINUTE

60 seconds: Mountain Climbers

~rest for 30 s~

60 seconds: High Knees

~rest for 30 s~

60 seconds: Burpees

~rest for 30 s~

60 seconds: Squat Jumps

~rest for 30 s~

REST ONE MINUTE

30 seconds: Air Jacks

~rest for 15 seconds~

30 seconds: Squat Jumps

~rest for 15 seconds~

30 seconds: Jumping Lunges

~rest for 15 seconds~

30 seconds: Jumping Lunges

~rest for 15 seconds~

Easy Pizza Rolls and Pizza Dip

     For today's post, I decided to share two very simple dishes that are great for parties or a quick lunch.  Both of these can be made in advanced and reheated in the oven when ready to eat.  Everyone loves pizza!  My pizza dip and pizza rolls are just another delicious option to ordering pizza for delivery.  They can also be made a little healthier with some substitutions :)  Enjoy!

Pizza Rolls (I did not include measurements.  It's all relative to how many you want to make.  Each crescent roll can will create 8 pizza rolls.)
Ingredients:
Canned crescent rolls
Marinara sauce
String mozzarella cheese, cut into smaller pieces (I use fat free cheese.  Each full stick can be cut into four smaller sticks.)
Pepperoni (I use turkey pepperoni.)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.

Roll out your crescent rolls and separate at the "dotted" line.  Pinch together the triangles so that you have two rectangular sheets of dough.  With a knife, cut each rectangle into 4 strips.  Each can should yield 8 strips total.  Use a little bit of AP flour through these steps so that the dough doesn't stick to your counter or hands.

In each strip, spread 1/2 teaspoon of marinara.  Top with cheese and pepperoni.  Gently roll the strip up into a little pocket.  Press the sides down with your fingers to keep the filling inside while it bakes.

Place the rolls onto your baking sheet.  They will rise a little so leave them enough room.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.  You're looking for the same brown as if you were just baking the rolls.  Be careful, they will be super hot (inside and out).  Serve with additional marinara for dipping.



Pizza Dip
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cups of marinara sauce
5 ounces of reduced fat cream cheese, chive and onion flavored
1/2 cup of cooked meat (I use turkey pepperoni.  You could also use ground meat or just sauteed veggies.  Whatever you like on your pizza is really perfect for this dip.  Never use raw meat though. it will not cook all the way on this dish.)

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a baking or casserole dish with non-stick spray.

Spread the cream cheese across the bottom.  Press it down (it's easier with your fingers) so that you have one even layer.

Top the cheese with the marinara sauce.  Use a spoon to evenly distribute to create a layer.  Finally, top with cheese and other toppings.

Bake for about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and dip is bubbly.  MMMM!  So yummy!

 

This is a perfect Sunday lunch.  Delicious food and the game on TV!  Check out my Spinach Dip.

Products I Love:Multivitamins, Scunci Headbands, and Tervis Tumblers

     This post is all about three of my favorite things: Multivitamins, Scunci Headbands, and Tervis Tumblers.

 Every morning, right after breakfast, I have made a habit of taking a women's formula multivitamin.  I have noticed that I have more energy and have been feeling better overall.  These little pills are packed with essentials vitamins that we may miss in our every day.  Why not take one pill each day to give your body a little extra love?  I use just the store brand but there are many different varieties.  You really have to find one that's perfect for you!





My next new found gem is the Scunci Headband.  They are no-slip and perfect for days that I run or
do any type of cardio exercise.  My hair does not fall into my face nor do I have to stop and adjust.  It's actually amazing!  They're pretty cheap too!  I got a 3 pack for under $5.  That's a deal :)  These would also be perfect for yard work, sports, or anytime you don't feel like messing with your hair!  From a girl with extra long hair...these are awesome!!!

And lastly, the Tervis...oh my dear Tervis!  I use one of these on a daily basis.  I keep one at work and one in car (of course it comes in for a wash!).  I fill them up with ice and water before I go anywhere.  Amazingly, it keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot.  I'm not talking about a few minutes...I'm saying like alllll day.  Having these guys around also helps me drink more water and stay hydrated.  They are, of course, great for out and about.  Whether you take it to the tailgate, pool, shopping, etc., you're beverage will still be hot/cold and delicious.  It's magical!!!

Sunday Brunch

     For this ...in the closet post, I was thinking something casual and colorful.  Since the weather has recently started warming up, we still have those chilly mornings and early afternoons.  This outfit took me to Sunday Brunch with the girls!  It's comfy but also bright to welcome spring.  It's an easy look that can really use any simple top as the pop of color.  I've included where I bought each item as well.

Top = Old Navy (fairly recently)

Skinny jeans = Pacsun (Catch them when they're buy one get one free!!!)

Flats = Rainbow Clothing Online