Hi, teacher friend!

Picture this for yourself:

It’s Christmas morning. You’re curled up in your robe, sipping hot coffee. You’re watching your family open gifts. Christmas music is playing. The lights on the tree are on. Everything is cozy and happy. And you are completely relaxed, because your school work for next semester is completely done.

You ended your semester on a very high note. Report cards were turned in on time. Parties were held. Staff gifts were exchanged. Parent gifts were wrapped. And you still managed to get your own personal friends and family gifts and show up at holiday parties in your cutest outfits. You ALSO managed to get plans and prep done for the first couple of weeks of January.

Your room is stocked with next month’s centers, small group plans and materials, whole group lessons, goal setting activities for the new year, etc. Nothing fell through the cracks. And now you have a glorious break ahead of you with no school stress in sight.

It sounds like it’s too good to be true. But, it’s more than possible. It just takes a lot of intention, and the perfect game plan.

Let’s make one together.

My name is Stephanie and I am 2nd grade teacher. I have 11 years of public education experience under my belt. I am super passionate about simplifying the parts of teaching that create the most stress for us as teachers.

I spend a big chunk of my time working on systems and routines in my classroom. As a busy mom of (almost) four, I want to spend more time with my own children at home than I spend grading papers or writing lesson plans.

It’s not just my preference, it’s a necessity. After 8 hours away from my own family, I HAVE to put them first when I’m home.

And I have found that simple systems and routines make it possible. I am fully present at school, and I’m prepared for my job. I maintain growth in my students and provide quality instruction, every day.

But when I’m home, I’m home.

You CAN have it all, but it probably doesn’t look the way you think it’s going to. It’s not about creating a perfect balance of teaching life vs. personal life. It’s about deciding which parts of teaching you can let go, and which parts you can give to someone else.

And for everything else that HAS to be on your plate…systems and routines can help you knock things out faster than you ever thought possible.

December is no different. With the right game plan, you can start next semester with no stress.