What is Your Teacher Philosophy?
Work Hard, Play Hard
This is my philosophy. It is how I teach. It is how I live. It is the phrase I use to connect with my students. At the start of each year I talk with my students about these very words and what they mean to me. Monday through Friday I work very hard, for my students. On the weekend, I play just as hard. My students know how much I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my dogs. I volunteer for a local dog rescue. I enjoy camping, riding 4-wheelers and snowmachines.
I don’t assign homework on weekends because I hope my students are out doing the things that they love, just like I am. I ask them to work hard on their academics, Monday through Friday. Just like I work hard for them. Then enjoy the things they love the most during the weekends.
In order to make my philosophy work, I have to be a stickler when it comes to my time management as a teacher. Which means I have to plan and stick to a routine.
Our world usually revolves around 2 major areas – Planning and Grading. Here is what I have found works well for me.
This is my philosophy. It is how I teach. It is how I live. It is the phrase I use to connect with my students. At the start of each year I talk with my students about these very words and what they mean to me. Monday through Friday I work very hard, for my students. On the weekend, I play just as hard. My students know how much I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my dogs. I volunteer for a local dog rescue. I enjoy camping, riding 4-wheelers and snowmachines.
I don’t assign homework on weekends because I hope my students are out doing the things that they love, just like I am. I ask them to work hard on their academics, Monday through Friday. Just like I work hard for them. Then enjoy the things they love the most during the weekends.
In order to make my philosophy work, I have to be a stickler when it comes to my time management as a teacher. Which means I have to plan and stick to a routine.
Our world usually revolves around 2 major areas – Planning and Grading. Here is what I have found works well for me.
Planning: I do all my planning for a unit in one session. Each unit is roughly 4 ½ weeks long. I lay out all the objectives I want to meet and how much time I need for each. Then I fill in the activities. I always begin planning the next unit at least 2 weeks before it starts.
- Mondays: On Monday I quickly recap what I’m doing this week. Then I start to review what I have planned for the next week. There are usually a series of questions I work through –
- Am I on track now, to meet next week’s plan?
- Are there any activities that need to be switched?
- Do I have all the resources I need for next week?
- And the big one – is there anything I need to tweak or make for next week? My goal is to have it made by Thursday.
- Thursdays: My copy day. I make sure all of my copies for the next week are done and filed, ready to be used. If I can make copies for more than one week out – I do!
Grading: In short, I grade anytime I get the chance. In the mornings, during prep, after school, you name it. I try to get it all squeezed in before the weekend comes. I usually operate on a 48 hour turn around time, to get feedback to students. I will take a week at most for the more intense writing assignments and projects.
Now I will be the first to admit that some weeks this routine does not work because, well, let’s face it, as teachers we are always dealing with the last minute meeting, or that student who is leaving for a week and really wants to take work with them. Not to mention when resources don’t work out the way you had hoped and need to come up with a Plan B, and fast!
What amazes me, is that even with all the planning I do, there always seems to be that last minute item that pops up. Thankfully, I usually have time to deal with it since I don’t have to scramble with everything else.
I have also discovered that managing my time is key to having a life outside of the classroom. Since I have become more efficient with my time, I feel less stressed and able to enjoy my time more – at home and with students!
What about you? How do you keep your balance between school life and your home life?
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Welcome! I'm Hillary Midgley, a veteran 6th grade teacher.
I create educational materials and develop curriculum for other teachers. I specialize in teaching students how to learn through my Study Skills Curriculum. I have established fundamental classroom systems and structures for teachers to help them streamline their classroom. And my passion is teaching ancient history through engaging activities with foundations in academic skills. Here you will find resources on all of these topics and more. Learn more about me here.
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