Balance is Key

I used to have a custom license plate that said WORKHRD. I was proud of my work ethic and where it got me in life. After having a child, the priorities changed and although I still worked hard, I found I needed to balance work and home. I must admit it was hard to do that after I started teaching! But I always tried to keep the hours of 4p.m. to 8p.m. dedicated to my family when they wanted or needed me. Now I am going to have to learn to balance monitoring student activity, posting review and enrichment material, and helping my peers with guiding my own kiddo through this process and new way of learning.

Since I am not alone as a working mom trying to balance work-from-home and pseudo-teacher, I thought I would give you some tips. These aren't perfect, but even if one of them helps you then I am okay with it! 

1. I said it on day one and I will say it again: Keep a Schedule
   1. It is okay to have your work time on the schedule, too! 
      
   2. It is also okay to be flexible! If "chores" only takes 30 minutes instead of 60, reward your family with free time!  
2. Use your teacher's office hours
   1. Revere Local Schools has a consistent Virtual Office Hour time of 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Many teachers are available through email but some teachers are also using these options:
      1. Google Hangout Chat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrltJsIRwDA&t=3s
      2. FaceTime - I know I posted directions on how parents can enable FaceTime on student iPads on my classroom webpage. If you're interested in that, maybe drop your teacher an email to ask about it. It's nice being able to see the screen a student is struggling on! 
3. Let this week be a learning week!
   1. Remember that this is new to everyone - you, your child, and your teachers! If you have opinions on work load or what else you'd like to see or do, find a nice, polite way to share that information. It is hard to tell what will be accomplished at home so teacher's may need to adjust workload as we go. 
   2. Trial and Error is an effective way to navigate (iPads, life, classwork, etc,)! I like this poster I have in my room. It applies even to trying the new remote learning challenges ahead of us.