30 Day Teaching Challenge
So, I’m a sucker for a challenge. I love trying to close my rings on my Apple Watch. I like tracking my water intake. I’m *trying to like tracking meals, but that’s a little different. I love beating my streaks in the Bible app, or even streaks on Snapchat. Most of all, I love a XX Day XX Challenge.
Yep. The number of the days and the exact challenge are not important. 14 Day Writing Challenge (commitment to write for 30 minutes a day for the duration), count me in! 30 Day Push Up Challenge? Let’s get these spaghetti arms together!
In that vein, I’ve decided to create a 30 Day Teaching Challenge. Let’s start 2021 strong! This challenge starts Jan 1, so consider the numbered challenges as calendar days. (Of course, if you want to start another time, that’s fine! You may just have to switch a few things around.)
Reflect on Fall of 2020. What went well? What would you like to change?
It’s Saturday. Don’t work. Not even a little bit.
Have a 15-30 minute planning meeting with yourself. How are you going to draw lines between work and home for yourself? Really plan it out.
Read an article about antiracist teaching.
Check out a diverse book you’ve never read and think about how you might use it in your teaching. (Many libraries are offering curbside pick up, so you don’t have to spend your own money and you can be safe!)
Reflect on your why.
Listen to an inspirational TedTalk.
Check out some new education research.
Relax and watch one of those sappy teacher movies. (Here’s another good list of titles.)
Have another personal planning meeting. How will you make time for your work duties, as well as for yourself?
Choose an area of your teaching to improve upon. Just one. Find a place to start.
Find a “window” book to read aloud to your class. It doesn’t matter your grade level, we should all be doing read alouds.
Continue to build your stack of diverse books.
Contact a caregiver today just to tell them something good about their student.
Talk to a student one-on-one today and learn something new about them. Maybe try getting to know more students using an inventory like this.
Relax with a funny movie about teaching.
You guessed it—take some time to plan your week.
Try remembering Dr. King more honestly this year.
Take a break! Build in a movement or mindfulness activity with your students.
Try out a new teaching strategy.
Praise five students today. Here’s how and why.
Reflect on your assessment practices and brainstorm alternatives.
Relax. Watch a movie that has nothing to do with education.
Start planning for a meaningful Black History Month.
Build your religious literacy (and plan to teach it!).
Celebrate something about your teaching, your kids, or anything related to your teacher life.
Reflect on what you’ve learned this month and how you’re going to keep that momentum going.
Take care of you today!