Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1525262
Surround Yourself With Teachers Who Keep Your Light On I love the new school year — a fresh start with new ideas and a renewed sense of passion! I recommend setting clear and specific goals for the new year, both personal and professional. Begin by reflecting on what you want to achieve in your teaching practice, such as improv- ing student engagement or progress, developing new curriculum or enhancing your instructional methods. As a special education teacher, I always reflect on new inclusive opportunities or enhancing communication and language devel- opment. Break down these goals into smaller, manageable tasks and create an action plan to accomplish them. I love to plan (and I love a checklist), so my tried- and-true method is "when in doubt , make a color-coded plan"! As we strive to make each teaching year better than the last, I have learned how important it is to surround yourself with teachers who keep your light on. The most amazing benefit of being a California Teacher of the Year is being inspired and surrounded by the most amazing and pas- sionate teachers. It is invigorating, exciting and contagious. To take care of myself when the teaching days are particularly draining, Diet Coke with extra ice is always in my cup. Never apologize for the number of cups on your desk — we all know we leave them until Friday! I find that as a teacher and a mom, self-care can be incredibly limited. When everything is piling up at once, I try to remind myself that teaching has seasons and that the stress load is temporary. Take time on the weekend for yourself and do something just for you. It is hard to help our students shine if our own light is dim- ming, and by taking care of yourself, you'll be more energized, focused and equipped to support your students' learning and growth throughout the year. So, take a deep breath, be kind to yourself and never underestimate the power of a well-timed caffeinated break — you got this! Rodriguez has worked with her union reps to negotiate special education stipends and advocated for contract language to include preschool special education. "It is hard to help our students shine if our own light is dimming. By taking care of yourself, you'll be more equipped to support your students' learning and growth." —Hannah Rodriguez activities during the first week. I facilitate engineering design challenges like the spaghetti marshmallow tower and the longest paper bridge. These activities set the expectation that my class will be interactive and hands-on. They provide opportunities for side conversations, allowing me to learn about students' interests and assess their communication skills. I can observe who naturally takes on roles such as leader, designer or researcher, see how they handle disagreements, gauge their engagement, and note their responses to setbacks. These observations help me under- stand my students better and foster a collaborative and dynamic classroom environment. Collaboration is key. Share resources, lesson plans and best practices with colleagues. Utilize technology. Explore generative AI to enhance and streamline lessons. Use design software like Canva for quicker, more effective presentations. Engage in professional development to stay updated with educational trends and technologies. Continuous learning benefits us and enriches our students' experiences. Starting strong and staying strong is crucial, and self-care is key when the weeks get long. Here are my go-to self-care items that you can try: Schedule time for yourself. Unwind by reading a book, catching up on favorite T V shows or working on home DIY projects. These activities keep my creative juices flowing and help me return to class more engaged and ready to try new things. Take regular breaks, stay physically active and spend quality time with loved ones. Taking care of our health enables us to give our best to our students. Hannah Rodriguez Duarte Unified Education Association PRE-KINDERGARTEN SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER Alvarico, Continued from Page 21 22 cta.org Feature B A C K T O S C H O O L