The iTeach Blog

Hey Coach, Teaching is a high-stress career - especially these days! Do you have any tips to help teachers take care of themselves? Sincerely, Seeking Self-Care Dear Seeking Self-Care, The data agrees with you. Teaching is definitely demanding! In fact, the 2017 Educator Quality of Work Life Survey study shared some startling findings: 61% of educators and school staff say their work is “always” or “often” stressful. 78% of teachers run on just five to seven hours of sleep per night. 58% said their mental health was “not good” for seven or more of the previous 30 days. ...and that’s all before we were in the midst of a pandemic! We need to view self-care as more than just another item on our long list of to dos. In order to survive and thrive as an educator, you have to invest in what matters most, remembering that YOU are important! Below we offer some suggestions to help you be intentional about prioritizing self-care. Set Boundaries Setting boundaries is the first...

Hey Coach, Teaching online can be tough! How can I keep my students engaged in an online environment? Sincerely, Eager for Engagement Dear Eager for Engagement, It’s true! Teaching feels very different without the live, face-to-face interaction found in the traditional classroom. Don’t worry, though! We can still engage our students, even when teaching and learning happens remotely. Many of the best practices we use to engage students in a traditional classroom can translate to an online environment. Bring a Human Element to the Online Environment People need other people! Give students plenty of opportunities to engage with each other by sharing their opinions, experiences, and perspectives. (We highly recommend Flipgrid as a quick and easy tool to engage and empower all the voices in your classroom!) Interact with your students through individual check-ins to let them know that their presence matters. Be silly and fun whenever possible. Whether you’re changing your ba...