Dear Teacher,
I was a little nervous about writing this letter. I don’t want to offend anyone. I don’t want to make people feel bad. I don’t want mean hate mail.
I’m writing this because I love teachers and I have a huge heart for serving the teaching community. I hope you know that everything I am about to write comes from a place of love.
The thing is, I keep seeing teachers in my Facebook groups who are totally overwhelmed and working 12 hour days.
I get it. Everything is new. You don’t have the resources or training that you need. This is all so unexpected.
The reality is that you are going to have some tough days. Give yourself permission to have those days.
But I am worried about you. I don’t want ALL of your days to be spent staring at the computer. I don’t want you to cry every day. I don’t want you to work more now than you did in the classroom.
It’s just not healthy.
So this is my advice:
Lower your expectations. And then lower them again.
Lower your expectations for yourself. I know you are an amazing educator who differentiates, tracks data, and values hands-on learning opportunities. The thing is that you can’t, and shouldn’t, try to do everything that you did in the classroom.
Lower your expectations for students. They are bright kids, but they have had their entire world flipped upside down. They may be living with a family that is in fear because of finances or their health. There may be more arguing at home. They may be babysitting their siblings or cousins. They might be at a babysitter. They might be struggling to share one computer with their entire family.
They will do their best, but that will look very different for every student.
If we do too much, we will be overwhelmed and anxious.
If we ask students to do too much, they will be overwhelmed and anxious.
I know you would be doing more if none of this had happened and you were teaching in the classroom today. But find a way to be at peace with doing less.
Assign less. Use fewer tech tools. Ask less of your students.
This is an example of the MOST I would consider assigning a third grader:
Reading: Daily read one short passage and answer two questions from THIS resource.
Math: Daily complete one math journal prompt from THIS resource.
Writing: Daily watch a writing lesson and complete the independent task from THIS resource.
Grammar: Once per week watch a video lesson and complete a set of task. cards from THIS resource.
One fun and optional video call per week.
I would not send specific science and social studies assignments if I didn’t HAVE to. Students will read passages in reading that hit on some science and social studies topics and they will be doing an animal report in writing.
This would probably take most students about 60-90 minutes per day. That’s enough in my opinion.
Teachers, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
If you try to sprint, and work long hours every day, you will tire out. You will be burnt out by the end of the week. But your students need you. This is going to last for longer than we want and so you must take care of yourself.
So, I challenge you to come up with a reasonable schedule for yourself. Include a couple hours in the morning to plan and touch base with students. Include another couple of hours in the afternoon to grade and touch base with students.
But then, close your computer and walk away.
You don’t have to answer emails the moment they come in. You can limit it to during your office hours. It will be ok!
Do something for you. Play on the floor with your toddler. Read a book that you have been wanting to read. Go for long walks or bike rides. Take a bubble bath and paint your nails. Cook a new or a favorite recipe with your spouse.
Teachers are always complaining about burn out and the lack of time to rest. Take the time now!
I love teachers and their strong desire to give their students the very best. But sometimes, less is best.
Keep being not so wimpy!
Thanks so much!! I needed to hear this! ?
Thank you!!! This was so needed right now!! ❤️
Wow! Thanks for putting everything back in perspective! Great read!
Thank you Jamie! You are incredible! ?
Thank you SO much 12-14 hour days, a house that has t been touched since online teaching started with half the students doing online the other half of them paper based, with a classroom of 20 ESE students to boot! Can you say EXHAUSTED? In addition taking care of my mom who has dementia and is 84 and does not understand what all is going on.
Great read!
Yes the first two weeks I was working those long hours and crying. Worlds flipped upside down with stress and anxiety.
We have decided as a school to limit the screen time for students to about 120 min. We have little ones 3-6 year olds. We made it a choice for the families to join when they can or want too. These minutes are live with the students. We do have academic time but we get to ask how their night went and what they are eating for breakfast. How they are feeling. What they did outside. They get to share with their friends. We read books and play games. This is what is important. We all love our students and miss them. You are right in what you are reminding us all??
Me too! Thanks for “giving permission” to have a focus and connect and then relax and refresh! I’ve never in my life been on a computer as much as I have last week and this week and I’ve been teaching for 24 years.
You’ve been a huge help through all of this. Thank you for putting everything into perspective. ?
This has been my daily struggles for the past six weeks . Thank you for those encouraging words!
From Uzy
Thanks for the tutorial on how to use pdf’s in google classroom. So helpful and needed right now. I love your resources. Thanks for the reminder to lower expectations. Much needed as well!!
Thank you I was on the same page with you when I was told that I need to do long distance teaching! I am doing all that you are saying above in your email because it is true, our healthy and mental mind is most important for us to be able to return back to the classroom with good vibes for our students! Thank you for reassuring my thoughts.
Thank you!!!! Needed to hear this! We aren’t going back this year in PA…so very sad. But I must lower my expectations. The last 3 weeks have been so overwhelming.
Natalee
I was already overwhelmed as a second year beginning teacher; then remote learning!! Ugh! My mentor teacher is the best! I’m grateful that she shared this with me! it’s going to be alright…
Amen! I completely agree??.
You articulated it perfectly ❤️!
Thank you! I needed to hear this.
From a grateful Canadian colleague. We are truly all in this together. We are only at week 1 in remote learning here (as we are now calling it) and I love the fact that our School Board is making the distinction with online learning. But no matter what is said out there, know that as a parent and a teacher I appreciate the efforts of all who care in education. I have already had one parent say that they are not cut out for this “job”. It is a profession and you are all professionals.
This was exactly what I needed today. Thank you! And, thank you to all the teachers who are doing their best!
Thank you Jamie for articulating what I know in my heart is what needs to happen. In the midst of all the information overload and drama from administration not trusting we teachers ARE working harder and more hours to deliver the education to our students. It’s like we have to prove ourselves, but why? Is there no trust that we ARE doing our job even if from home! Don’t they know us better than that!
Thank you for helping me see that we TEACHERS are ALL worthy to take the time to take care of US!
I am so PROUD of my fellow colleagues across this nation! They have stepped up and accepted the challenges!!! They have done it quietly, with little fanfare! Their love for their craft shines through ALL that they do!!
Thanks so much! I’m into week 3 and wasn’t sure how much more I could take. After reading your article I see what I need to do. Thank you for always trying to help!
I totally agree! Been through the motions and have arrived at the point you are describing here. Lowering my expectations now! Tnx
Thank you so much! We are told to work smarter not harder, but it is so hard to let go! I’ve been at this for 3 weeks of video conferencing M-F and am exhausted. ( and I’m not required to start teaching my kids until April 20. ) I need to get back to working out for myself and know that it’s ok to take that time for me. Thanks for the reminders and the resources.
This is a great article. Thank you so much for understanding how we feel And thanks for your wonderful advice!
Wonderful advice! THANK YOU!
You are brave to voice what I have been thinking. As teachers, we all strive for excellence and it is hard to avoid getting sucked into the competitiveness that comes along with that. As I have watched my respected colleagues research, recommend, and implement numerous exciting new learning programs I have been conflicted. I feel guilty when I don’t take their advice and implement some wonderful program that they have launched that sounds easy to assign and grades for you to boot. I feel somehow less dedicated that I’m not discovering these great programs before them- I’m scouring the internet the same as everyone else, how is it that I chose to dismiss that gold nugget? I feel competitive to have the best program and be noticed for it. I am aware of everyone’s eyes upon me evaluating the quality of my teaching and don’t want to be thought less of. I miss my students and don’t want to disappoint them or let them down. All the while my gut has been saying something different, and I have been trying to be strong enough to listen to it. I don’t participate in social media. I don’t respond to blogs and post my opinions. This is a first. I am trying to listen to my gut and sticking to my guns. Sticking to my normal routine as much as possible with tech stuff that my students are familiar with is a good thing. I don’t want to add any more stress for families to sort out new log in procedures and computer problem solving burdens than they already have. I don’t want to double their homework time to make myself feel like I’m on the cutting edge using all these new resources. Less is really more. Once you have frustrated a student enough with too much tech stuff you’ve lost them and turned their attitude about school for a long time. Offer some exciting new things for them to try if they are ready, but one new thing at a time. Encourage them to do some work each day, and take time to take care of themselves. Assigning less does not mean lowering your expectations for their learning. It means cutting them some slack so they are better able to handle the work they need to do. Overwhelming them with new stuff that frustrates them and makes them feel stupid is not helpful. So I may look like I’m being lazy and unwilling to try new things, but I know that’s not the case and I’m willing to let my colleagues bask in the limelight and praise for finding the newest tech savvy program to tout and push on us all as I say no thank you. I will sleep sounder knowing that my students will go to the next grade with a positive mind and attitude about school that will continue to drive their desire to learn. As far as the students in my colleagues’ classrooms, I’ll get them next year to begin repairing the damage done from shoving too much at them.
This is a wonderful piece of real life shared.I am happy,I have a companion in this.
Thank you! Exactly the issues we’re facing right now. I’ve been struggling with exactly what you’ve said so well. Needed this right now!
Thank you! I feel like I have a reasonable schedule and the right balance of work, but when you hear what others are doing… it can be crazy- making!
This is perfect! I completely agree with you. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I am grateful for a principal who has taken the pressure off of us as our county realizes that many students simply will not be able to connect with distance learning. He simply asks us to connect with those we can, and above all to keep our families safe. Never have I appreciated him more.
I don’t even want to get out of bed today! I have been working 10 to 13 hours a day!. I cry on and off all day. I can’t even move my wrists I’m in constant pain from all the typing! I needed this this morning! Ii have been teaching 32 years and I thought I was all alone!! It made me feel stupid and incompetent. Knowing others feel the same way is so reassuring. Thank you so much for the post!
Thanks for this letter. I am feeling so overwhelmed with all the paperwork and deadlines that have to be completed. I know that I need to slow down and take time for myself. I am a Special Educator so I also have other responsibilities as well. Again even with all of this I do have to slow down. So, thanks again for your heartfelt words this was so needed.
I totally agree with you! I am teaching gifted 4th grade students. I received a parent email Monday about how science is barely being taught and math needs to be more rigorous. I cried. I’m doing my best, but sadly this “less is more” concept doesn’t fly with all parents. I know I shouldn’t let this one parent get to me, but it just did. I have been struggling emotionally since.
Thank you! I needed permission to do this!
Spot on!!!!!!
This is what educational leadership looks like…having the courage to say hard things, knowing limits, and understanding priorities!
Thank you!
I needed this confirmation today! I had just said to my mom that I need to carve out a couple of hours in the day to check my emails, grade papers, and make assignments for the following day/week. I need to close my Chromebook and breath! I have had 3 migraines in the last week, which is unlike me. I am sure it is due to the amount of screen time I have been putting in…it is time to slow down!
Thank yuh for putting into words what we are all feeling.
Now to get everyone on board with this mindset …
Thank you, I was in the middle of a break down after a staff meeting, when your email popped up on my work computer. Its all been a lot and we are in week 3 of this. We like to remind ourselves that love before lesson for our students we need to remember that for ourselves.
Your support is greatly appreciated! Your message hit home with me, and offered some much needed advice.
Thank you! It’s great to know that I’m not going through this by myself. This week I’ve had a couple of days I wanted to quit, haven’t had that feeling in about 10 years. I learning to practice what I preach, “preserve” “keep trying, I’ll get it” “it’s ok to ask for help, even for the simplest tasks”. Thank you again for sharing.
Thank you Jamie! This is great advice and a reminder that we can’t take care of our students unless we are also taking care of ourselves. 🙂
Once again, your kind comments have “talked us off the ledge.” We do so appreciate your timely reminder, Jamie…and YOUR hard work with altering your products to work well with distance learning.
Thank you!! You have validated my feelings and allowed me to breathe a bit easier.
I so needed to hear this! My teammate just shared this with us and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I spent 12 hours in front of the computer on Monday, 2 hour Google Meet call on Tuesday and by Wednesday, I wanted to cry that I wasn’t doing enough for ALL of my students. You are right – Less IS best and this is a marathon, not a sprint! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you! I am so totally overwhelmed…I am deeply thankful for the resources that you have provided. Some of us may also be getting pressure from principals and/or school districts. Your letter speaks directly to the heart of the matter! The hours that are spent planning the lessons and then trying to recreate them to fit into our digital platforms- has been time consuming…while also trying to support students intellectually and emotionally. We are in this together and are blessed to be teachers!
Appreciate your supportive words of wisdom and for being our cheerleader!. Totally what I needed at this moment!
Thank you, Jamie! I’ve appreciated you for a long time, but even more so now. Thank you for supporting and loving teachers. Your work makes a difference!
Thank you for the much needed thoughtful advice!
I agree – thank you. My admin is AMAZING at getting this message out to us on a daily basis, but I still feel like I am failing my kids. Thank you for another resource telling us that we are all going to be ok.
Great advice!
Amen!!
This is great. I wish our district would understand that. We still have to be logging a regular work day’s worth of work like material prep, planning, PD, etc everyday. It’s exhausting cause I’m just a long term sub (fingers crossed that I’m next year I’ll be a full time teacher) and running out of school things to do.
Thank you! This is tough on everyone and as teachers we’re feeling like we’re not doing enough, but families are also overwhelmed. I’ve been struggling wi unrecognized thoughts and emotions not just with school but my own family. I just want some normalcy back, but am working to adjust to my current normal. Thank you again!!!!
*with racing thoughts
You are spot on with this! Thank you for speaking out and sharing. I’ve said from the beginning, we are not in control of their homes. There are so many variables in each situation to consider. With the current circumstances in the world around us, we need to look at the big picture here. “Less really is best!”
Your post could not have come at a better time!! Thank you so much!!!
I agree! This is not homeschooling it’s crisis school which is waaaay different! Give grace to yourself and others!
Thank you for this message. I needed to hear this! It really has been nonstop during the last 4 weeks. Your message has inspired me to try really hard to work only during certain times, put the schoolwork aside, and take time for me and my family. Thanks again! Stay healthy!
Yes, you hit it right on the nail! As an educator for over 30 years we tend to forget to keep it to office hours . I agree!!! Our world has been turned upside down, so we all MUST relax a lot more and assign a lot less!!!
Thank you
Ellie
Our district created learning packets. I asked a parent yesterday to throw it away – my students was crying over the material. I asked her to tell her child I loved him, work on some math games to sharpen skills, and throw that packet away. I’m not sure she could have been more grateful. We have to understand our students are stressed too. I meet with them each morning and we just talk, I miss them. I always have a silly challenge for them like go find something yellow. I’m surprised by how create they are – banana, post-its, Easter card envelope…
Stay safe everyone – thank you for your kind words.
Thank you for your letter! Just what all teachers need right now:)
You are absolutely correct. I have spent hours learning how to use all of the programs my district wants me to use and then learning how to merge it all so my students aren’t going crazy like me – LOL! I think after I get through the learning curve, and we get into a rhythm, then the stress level should go down. Thank you for your support – it is not like you are not going through the same changes and having your own littles as well. Blessings to you and stay safe everyone – get outside as much as you can! We will get through this!!
We are in Week 3 now, and it took the first week or so to figure this out! But you are exactly right! Thank you for validating what my team and I were feeling. We needed this!
Thank you! Thank you!!
It’s so hard to keep things in perspective when you’re district still thinks you’re in the classroom and need to be watched! Virtual walkthroughs through Google Classroom is now a thing, as well as the mayor can jump into a zoom lesson!!
I am sharing this with friends and printing it to place right next to my computer as a reminder!
Thank you! Thank you! ?
Thanks for this. I think we ALL needed to hear it. My district is doing a wonderful job giving us a base for lessons but I see so many fellow teachers from other districts stressing out. 🙁 Keep up the great work everyone and take a nice relaxing bath!!
This is so right on, and definitely something I needed to hear.
Thank you!
This so so refreshing to hear! I worry about my students with significant disabilities and what they will loose over this long break. We’re all doing our best to help them and their families. God Bless you all!
Thank you for your letter and the perfectly needed words. Jamie you are a blessing for teachers and parents. This is the time to take care of our mind, body, and soul. So, that we can be the best version of ourselves for our family, students, and whomever the Lord puts in our path.
Thank you for your advice. All teachers are wearing so many more HATS than ever. Your words to step back & simplify makes sense. I plan to reduce student work even more next week.
Kellie
AMEN!!! I’m fortunate that my district mailed home 6 weeks of learning packets to every student so teachers could be slow and deliberate about remote learning. We start April 20th, but aren’t allowed to do much. We can use Canvas, Zoom, Flipgrid, Epic! and Kahoot. No Google classroom, Google Slides, Boom or anything else. We are allowed to assign 1 reading, 1 math and 1 writing assignment for the entire week. We will also have a 1/2 hour Zoom meeting with our class. We have online lessons through iReady for reading and math that they can do. They want K-2 to only work on school 1 hour a day, 1/2 hour being a lesson and the other 1/2 being reading a book. Our Superintendent is more worried about families being overwhelmed with keeping a roof over their head, food on their table and a job. She also doesn’t want staff stressed with doing their own classes and keeping up with their own kids school.
I’m thankful she has taken this slower approach, we provide some lessons and keep in contact with the families. It really is best for everyone.
Wow I cried just reading this ! Thanks for setting us straigh. I am a great teacher and I am working so hard to get them all on. The beat thing I did so far was ask them to send me a video through our Schoology portal telling me something I didn’t know about them and it was the best!
Thanks again!
Thank you! Just what I needed and wanted to hear. With kindergarten it’s been a challenge. I’m slowing down and taking it one day at a time- like I did in the classroom!
Thank you for this! Definitely needed to hear this today! Have a great weekend!
This is definitely something I needed to hear today. Working from home and having two assistants under 3 has been incredibly tough, and I have put so many expectations on myself. Thank you for sharing this. 🙂
I just got off a Zoom faculty meeting, and I think my headmaster must have read your post. He could not stress enough that at this time “less is best!”
Jamie, you have, as usual, done us a great service with this message. Thank you for verbalizing what so many dedicated teachers need to hear. It was a comfort to read. I am grateful.
Thank you!!! You are just as awesome as your resources!!
Thanks so much for addressing my issues. It was enlightening hearing from others going through the same “stuff” I will begin my next day differently. I have been having meltdowns over whether or not I’m doing enough. After joining, I realize I need to slow it down. Thanks for sharing!
I am not a teacher in a classroom. I taught preschool many years ago and then was a home educator to my children. They also spent time in public and private school. But, my daughter is a teacher. She is a Kindergarten tezcher in a small county that some may consider economically depressed. Some of her students have no internet access except through a parents phone, and that is only if they have a data plan, most do not. She worries about her friends and their families. One of her Littles cried last week after story time because he just wanted to go back to school. She puts on a brave face and says “me too, friend”. She tries to remain positive for her students. And then she cries.
I just want to thank you for such a well written letter. The situation is unsure enough without adding to the problem. I love your 3rd Grade schedule! I think it’s brilliant.
Hang in there teachers! It’s not easy being a teacher, even though you have “summers off”. That a laugh! But you can do this. I think next school year may start slower then normal, but we all now have a new normal and I think the students will catch up.
Praying for teachers world wide and the people who are now teaching the world’s childfen.
Your encouragement in this blog post was more meaningful than I could express. Especially about this not being a sprint, but a marathon. I was told this when I was being induced with my son, so these words have always held that memory to them, but now I can really relate to it with teaching. So many days during this virtual teaching experience have I worked past my normal hours, stayed up late creating more work, or “reorganized” the layout of my day thinking it would make the next day or week easier. Well newsflash: it didn’t. Every day has presented new challenges and sure enough my “prep” work either needed to be changed or just didn’t even align to the new changes. So your words of encouragement spoke directly to my heart and for that I thank you!!
Ummm, how do you make this shareable? I absolutely need to forward this to my admin. Can you make a link where we can add their name and send it their way 🙂
It’s almost 2 a.m. and I AM EXHAUSTED, but still planning for next week. It’s just too much!
You can just share the this link. https://www.notsowimpyteacher.com/2020/04/less-is-best-with-distance-teaching.html
Thank you. This is a very helpful reminder that we need to take care of our well being.
Thank you so…. much for telling it like it is. I have taught for 30+ years. I love being a Kindergarten teachers. I have never been so overwhelm getting everything done the way Admin is expecting. My grade level is treated like we are teaching middle school students. I am NOW going to change my whole thought process and take your advice and step away, set up REAL office hours and shut my computer DOWN. “LESS IS BEST”
Thank you for this. It confirms what I was feeling. I was starting to burn out and this is the most opportune time to rest. My anxiety is at an all-time high.
Thank you! This is just what I needed to hear today. This is our third week of remote learning, and we just found out last week we are going to the end of the academic year. And while I know it is probably for the best, it broke my heart to bag up my learners’ personal belongings last week. I was one of those 12 hour a day people for the first two weeks. Then my husband and my wonderful sons (both college age thank goodness!) helped me see that I have to dial it back. And then to read this today,,, Thank you!
Such a blessing to hear this. Many thanks for all of your wisdom and advice.
I needed to hear every bit of this! Thank you ❤️
Perfect!
Now, if I could just get my teacher-friends to do this…
Some of them are assigning ridiculous amounts of work!
Thank you so for your comments! I am currently teaching in person with a full classroom and doing online with those students choosing not to come back to school yet I have been spending so much extra time and effort to trying to keep everything in balance between the two. Your words have made me really stop and think. Thank you!!