As a profession that has historically struggled to receive the respect it deserves, teaching has gained significant attention since 2020. Between a nationwide teacher shortage and buzzwords like “teacher burnout” entering our daily lexicon, people are becoming increasingly aware of both the impact that teachers have on their children and the efforts and sacrifices that teachers are making—and have always been making—to ensure that their students are learning during one of the most challenging times in human history. To that end, several resources and articles have emerged suggesting ways in which all teachers can practice self-care (all teachers and remote teachers).
LLN’s talented team of language teachers has been teaching online programs since before the global pandemic. It is for this reason that we were already well prepared for the challenges of teaching virtual classes and were able to ensure a meaningful and engaging learning experience for our students even during the height of the pandemic. Here are pieces of advice from some members of Team LLN:
Adam Shepherd, Head of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Both teaching and learning online can be cognitively exhausting, especially after staring at a screen for hours at a time. Remember that your entire class period does not have to consist of serious instructional time. I like to screen share pictures of my trips to Belgium with students and briefly talk about my experiences with the French language during my travels. It is a welcome cognitive break both for myself and for the students!
Nicole Water, Teacher Supervisor
Regardless of the age and developmental level of the students I’m teaching, it can be quite restorative for many learners to engage in social-emotional-based check-ins and brief conversations. For example, as an instructor, I may present a prompt such as, “What is something special that is happening in your life?” I begin the conversation by providing my response and encourage students to respond by writing in the chat or speaking. This small break with a focus on special life events gives all an opportunity to focus on something they find pleasing. It is also often helpful to engage in various types of movement breaks. Stretching, moving to music, or even taking a 30-second walk through one’s environment can provide a welcome physical and mental recharge that supports the body and mind in maintaining focus while teaching or studying virtually.
Do you feel as if we left out anything important that online teachers should keep in mind when practicing self-care? Please reach out to us and share with LLN what you do to practice teacher self-care when teaching online!
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