8 Teacher Resolutions for the New School Year

Now’s the perfect time to set your intentions for the new term. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

From inspiring personal goals to lofty professional ambitions, these resolutions ensure that you’ll discover life-changing benefits in and out of the classroom — now and for years to come.

1. I want a better mindset.

Whether it’s being more positive in the classroom or managing work challenges in healthier ways, this resolution tops many teachers lists. Get started with Angela Watson’s Awakened: Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching.

2. I want work-life balance.

To restore equilibrium to your work and home lives, add a weekly reminder to your phone or planner that says, “Take care of yourself first.” Establish a cut-off time each day to stop work — and stick to it!

3. I want to catch up on grading and lesson planning.

Organization goes a long way toward freeing up time to help you get on top of projects. Clutter Free Classroom offers hundreds of suggestions for how to get organized, from classroom management to must-have supplies.

4. I want to get fit.

Set a manageable goal to work out twice a week or meet up with other teachers to walk after school. You can even incorporate fitness into your classroom curriculum — helpful for you and fun for your students.

5. I want to give more individual attention to students.

There are only so many hours in a school day, we know. But there are small opportunities to offer personalized time to each student. For example, set up a rotating classroom job for your students, where each of them gets a chance to assist you with a project or administrative task.

6. I want to incorporate technology into the classroom.

Becoming more tech-savvy makes nearly every teacher’s to-do list, and it’s a skill that brings personal and professional perks. Check out the certification program to become a Google Educator; it’s a series of free online courses that prep you for exams based on Google Apps for Education. Make sure you’re also following the Arizona K12 Center on Facebook for classroom-tested tech tips every Tuesday.

7. I want to read for pleasure.

Teachers are an ambitious bunch and often spend their free time browsing literature to help them improve their classroom skills. That same structured approach can be applied to reading books for fun, too. Find camaraderie with other teachers at the Executive Director's Book Club, which will take place at different locations throughout Arizona during the school year. Goodreads also offers an annual reading challenge, an easy way to finish off that stack of novels on your nightstand.

8. I want to drink more water.

We feel better, think smarter, work harder, and sleep more soundly when we’re hydrated. Buy a stainless steel water bottle — Hydro Flask sells them in fun colors and at an affordable cost — to keep full of icy cold water.