“If we see challenges as opportunities for learning, if we engage our curiosity whenever we’re presented with an obstacle, we’re more likely to find solutions. This habit and disposition help us not just survive adversity but thrive in the aftermath.” -Elena Aguilar, Onward
I have been lucky with my in-person professional development and my local personal learning network (PLN). My school division has a teacher-librarian in every school, and we meet regularly throughout the year for professional development, to share what’s working, and to work through challenges together. I’m thankful that my school division has prioritized that time to learn and connect. I think that this diploma program is also a great opportunity to make some connections.
When it comes to more self-directed learning, I am a teaching nerd (like many others in our program, I’m sure!). I have a collection of teaching podcasts to which I subscribe, and favourite teaching blogs. During a good year, it’s not unusual for me to go down a rabbit hole about some teaching strategy one evening, then enthusiastically try it in class the very next day. Then, inevitably, a tough year with a tough class comes around, and I burn out.
When dealing with burnout, I’m in survival mode, and there is no bandwidth left for professional learning. I’m actively working on setting boundaries and making changes (the shift to the library is part of that), but in general, I tend to be in either feast or famine mode for professional learning.
Interestingly, though, I find that learning is also part of burnout prevention, an experience supported by Elena Aguilar in Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators (chapter 9). I want to do regular professional learning, I have a ton of tools and resources at my disposal, but what I am missing is a strategy. How can I make it a regular part of my routine, and set boundaries in place so that I can still focus on the other parts of my life and my role?
One key realization for me recently was that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. I have, at times, had a collection of blogs or podcasts that I followed but couldn’t keep up with. But keeping up with them shouldn’t be my goal. Instead, regular learning should be. I think I need a routine that prioritizes professional learning for a few minutes each day or each week. I haven’t found something yet that works for me. Maybe pairing it with lunch or with a snack at the end of the day would be good? If you have a routine that works for you, I’d love to hear about it!
Now, on to other strategies and resources:
Feedly is a tool that I learned about through this course that I can see being useful in the future. I can compile a list of blogs through Feedly and skim through it regularly to find articles of interest. This would fit well with my plan of reading/listening to professional resources for a few minutes each day. I’ve already added several from our course extended reading list.
Email newsletters are another great format. There are so many organizations creating and curating resources for educators, and many of them are tailored to specific contexts. For example, the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba has a newsletter for educators with many ideas and tools that would be applicable both in Manitoba and in other parts of the country. Similarly, Manitoba Council for International Cooperation and Canada’s History both have great newsletters specifically for teachers. Many EdTech tools have newsletters highlighting features, PD opportunities, and ideas to use their tools. I already have all these sorted into a folder in my email; now I need to plan time to actually look at some of them!
I have a couple inquiry-related books set aside to read over the summer as well: Dive Into Inquiry by Trevor MacKenzie, and Ladybugs, Tornadoes, and Swirling Galaxies by Brad Buhrow and Anne Upczak Garcia. These fit with one of my current goals: learn more strategies to support inquiry for language learners.
Writing this post has given me the chance to think through a possible strategy. I’m going to try looking at a newsletter or blog post each day while I eat a quick snack. I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes me!
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Recognizing the need to set boundaries and change in your professional life can be really tough, same with going through burnout, so good for you for taking the necessary steps to take care of yourself first. I really appreciate the book recommendation and can’t wait to read “Onward” now after reading your post. I have a similar tendency towards feast or famine as well and gained a lot from your discussion about approaching learning strategically in order to be successful. Thanks for sharing!
This is a thoughtful and honest reflection that captures the realities of sustaining professional growth over time. I appreciate the way you connect your personal experiences to the need for balance, as this adds authenticity to your post. Your integration of Aguilar’s work strengthens your thinking and helps ground your reflections in research. The strategies you share, particularly around manageable routines and tools, feel practical and purposeful. To provide even further support for your ideas, you might bring in one additional academic or professional source on teacher learning or burnout to add another layer to your reflection.
Burnout is a real danger for a girl with MS like me. Routines are critical. I can never do as much as I want or think I should without very real symptoms smacking me in the face. I have found that setting aside a certain time of day for a certain task is helpful, but honestly, it’s my self-care – my yoga, my breathing, my drinking water – built in amongst the routines that helps most. I am currently trying out an app called Finch that helps with this.
Onward might be going on my summer reading list too. Mind you, it’s already a long list. But it’s in my amazon.ca cart.
Shelley,
That’s a super helpful reminder, thank you! No professional learning is going to be helpful if we can’t pay attention because we’re dealing with pain or other symptoms. I’ll have to check out Finch! And I hear you on the summer reading list! I hope if you do read it, you find it helpful.
Thanks for your honestly Amara! I feel the same, sometimes I am super motivated to engage in proD and then the busy challenging times will come and I feel overwhelmed into survival mode too. I appreciate those newsletter links and I will for sure check that book out you sent.