Your gut instinct right now may be telling you to run for the hills at the end of term and forget about school for the summer holidays but actually, the summer holidays are the perfect time to slowly but surely get yourself ready for September. But this episode won’t be telling you how to get your resources and planning in order for the new school term. Instead, you will learn about the processes that you can take that will get you ready for September without sacrificing your much deserved summer holiday.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why it is important to know how to switch off from school well

• Why the summer holidays is the time to practise new skills for the new school year

• How you can return to school in September feeling refreshed, prepped and confident

To help you to achieve this, I have created a brand new 9 step toolkit called the Start September Smiling Toolkit. Designed to drip feed bitesized chunks of learning to you throughout the summer holidays, it will be your companion to get you switched off, fully rested and then raring to go in September.

Resources:

• Sign up for the Start September Smiling Toolkit here: https://www.subscribepage.com/startseptsmilingtoolkit

• Join our friendly Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/teacherswithboundaries

• Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gemmadrinkall_headsphere/

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GemmaDrinkallHeadSphere

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-drinkall-10a9861a0/

• Twitter: twitter.com/Gemma_Drinkall

• Linktree: linktr.ee/GemmaDrinkall

Does this sound familiar to you? “You work too much, you should just go on strike” or “You should just do the minimum work and then they’ll have to hire another teacher”. These are good intentioned but unhelpful bits of advice that our friends and family may give to us about teaching! They mean well but ultimately, they don’t get teaching because they themselves are not a teacher.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why friends and family may give you poor advice

• How you can make use of that advice

• What changes you can make to help you in teaching

Often in teaching, you can feel helpless, like a small cog in the giant wheel of the education sector. Yet, there are incremental changes you can do to make your life in teaching easier. Dedicate some time this week to exploring what ways you can make your life easier and happier.

Resources:

• Join our friendly Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/teacherswithboundaries

• Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gemmadrinkall_headsphere/

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GemmaDrinkallHeadSphere

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-drinkall-10a9861a0/

• Twitter: twitter.com/Gemma_Drinkall

• Linktree: linktr.ee/GemmaDrinkall

It’s nearly the end of the school year and you are so close to the finishing line! School is getting a little bit quieter but you have a niggly feeling in your gut that you should be using this time to get ready for September. Yet, the school year has taken its toll on you and you feel exhausted. It is tempting to ride out the school year and think about September during the summer holidays. However, by taking steps to prep for September now, you are putting yourself in the best position to enjoy both September and your summer holidays.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why now is the best time of the school year to prep for September

• The impact prepping for September now can have on you

• How you can make this summer and September your best yet

Why don’t you join my FREE 3 day Start Summer (and September!) Smiling Challenge between Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th July 2022. It will help you to take steps to be ready for September and empower you to switch off and enjoy your summer holidays too. The link is below.

Resources:

• 3 day challenge: https://www.subscribepage.com/startsummersmiling

• Join our friendly Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/teacherswithboundaries

• Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gemmadrinkall_headsphere/

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GemmaDrinkallHeadSphere

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-drinkall-10a9861a0/

• Twitter: twitter.com/Gemma_Drinkall

• Linktree: linktr.ee/GemmaDrinkall

Teaching is a great job but it can take over your life, physically, mentally and emotionally. When this happens, you can feel overwhelmed and wrung out. Boundaries are a great way to help you achieve balance in your life where teaching can be a valuable part of your life but not the whole thing.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The different types of boundaries

• Why boundaries are important

• Steps you can take to protect your boundaries

Boundaries are hard because as teachers, we are not taught how to manage them. However, it is crucial that you learn to manage your boundaries if you are after a long and fulfilling career in teaching. This week, notice where your boundaries are being threatened and make an incremental change to protect them.

Resources:

• Join our friendly Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/teacherswithboundaries

• Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gemmadrinkall_headsphere/

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GemmaDrinkallHeadSphere

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-drinkall-10a9861a0/

• Twitter: twitter.com/Gemma_Drinkall

• Linktree: linktr.ee/GemmaDrinkall

When your mind is whirring with ideas, worries and school-related thoughts, it’s like having your very own snow globe in your head. Often, our minds have already done a full day of school thinking before we even arrive at school. This can leave you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and stressed.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The impact that your teacher brain is having on your wellbeing

• Tips that will help you to switch off your teacher brain

• How your quality of thinking is your own responsibility

Make time this week to reflect on what is triggering your teacher brain to overthink and explore ways that you can give yourself permission to slow down your thoughts and be more present.

Resources:

• Join our friendly Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/teacherswithboundaries

• One Moment Meditation App https://onemomentcompany.com/app/

• Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gemmadrinkall_headsphere/

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GemmaDrinkallHeadSphere

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-drinkall/

• Twitter: twitter.com/Gemma_Drinkall

• Linktree: linktr.ee/GemmaDrinkall

According to Ofsted, 98% of teachers enjoy teaching. However, 42% report having a low or medium life satisfaction. Sometimes in teaching, it can feel like an “either, or” situation. You are either engrossed in teaching or, it’s half term and you are more engrossed in your life outside of teaching. There doesn’t seem to be a midway point. However, there is another way. And it comes down to boundaries.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The importance of having clear boundaries

• How to make incremental changes that bring your life back into focus

• The positive impact boundaries can have on your teaching

Make time this week to reflect on where in your life you can make an incremental change that will make a positive difference to your life. Pop it in your diary and commit to giving it a go! Let me know how you get on!

Resources:

• Join our friendly Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/teacherswithboundaries

• Teacher well-being at work in schools and further education providers report, 2019 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936253/Teacher_well-being_report_110719F.pdf

• Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gemmadrinkall_headsphere/

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GemmaDrinkallHeadSphere

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-drinkall/

• Twitter: twitter.com/Gemma_Drinkall

• Linktree: linktr.ee/GemmaDrinkall

No feels like a taboo word in teaching. It often feels wrong to say no, like we are being disrespectful, selfish or even disruptive. The “yes” culture of teaching can feel toxic and lead to teacher resentment, teacher burnout and the retention crisis that the education sector is currently experiencing.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The power of choice: you can say no

• What may be driving you to say yes when you want to say no

• Ways that you can learn to say no to others

Find small opportunities this week to practise saying no or that give you the opportunity to think about your options before you respond. Saying no is a new muscle to build; it takes time but it will help you to create those clear boundaries so that you can love teaching again.

Resources:

• Join our friendly Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/teacherswithboundaries

• Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gemmadrinkall_headsphere/

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GemmaDrinkallHeadSphere

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-drinkall/

• Linktree: linktr.ee/GemmaDrinkall

As a teacher, it often feels like the to-do list is queen. It dictates your actions, how you feel about your work and your ability to switch off from teaching guilt free. However, is your to-do list working for you or are you working for it?

What you will learn in this episode:

• The difference between a brain dump and a to-do list

• How to make your to-do list work for you

• The benefits of batching similar tasks

Having a separate brain dump away from your to-do list keeps your head clear, reduces the likelihood of overwhelm and keeps you efficient. Try it out this week and see the difference it can make for you.

Resources:

• Video showing Brain Dump v To-Do List. Key moments: 5:57-6:44 and 9:30-10:15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK5VUuxGYr0

• Article by John Hall: The Biggest Culprit Behind Your Lagging Productivity: You https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhall/2020/05/03/the-biggest-culprit-behind-your-lagging-productivity-you/

• Join our friendly Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/teacherswithboundaries

• Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gemmadrinkall_headsphere/

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GemmaDrinkallHeadSphere

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-drinkall-10a9861a0/

• Twitter: twitter.com/Gemma_Drinkall

• Linktree: linktr.ee/GemmaDrinkall

The best thing about teaching is that you can make it your own. There are so many ways to teach and many of them involve you working less! This week’s episode is jam-packed with practical tips and advice that will get you achieving more, whilst working less.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How you can reduce your marking and achieve effective feedback

• How you can make your lesson planning work for you

• How you can work smarter, not harder

This week, be brave and try something new. With all new things, it may take a bit of time to implement or train your students into a new habit but it will be worth it in the end to help you work smarter, not harder.

Resources:

• 10 Effective Marking and Feedback Techniques to Try https://www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/10-effective-marking-and-feedback-techniques-to-try

• 5 Minute Lesson Plan https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/5minplan/

• Episode 04: What time management strategies are you missing out on?

• Episode 12: How can you reduce the amount of time you spend doing school work?

• Join our friendly Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/teacherswithboundaries

• Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gemmadrinkall_headsphere/

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GemmaDrinkallHeadSphere

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-drinkall-10a9861a0/

• Twitter: twitter.com/Gemma_Drinkall

• Linktree: linktr.ee/GemmaDrinkall

Teacher overwhelm is that feeling you have when you cannot take any more on. You feel like a saturated sponge, unable to take in more information, make decisions or even walk away. It’s a common feature of teaching and you are not alone in how you may feel. However, there is another way.

What you will learn in this episode:

• What decision fatigue is

• Things to do when you feel overwhelmed

• Things to avoid when you feel overwhelmed

This week, take time to notice what may be triggering teacher overwhelm for you, what notifications you may receive from your body and how may it be impacting your mood.

Resources:

• Free ‘6 Tips to Overcome Overwhelm' video and workbook https://www.subscribepage.com/overcome-teacher-overwhelm

• Join our friendly Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/teacherswithboundaries

• Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gemmadrinkall_headsphere/

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GemmaDrinkallHeadSphere

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-drinkall-10a9861a0/

• Twitter: twitter.com/Gemma_Drinkall

• Linktree: linktr.ee/GemmaDrinkall