I Left School On Time Every Day for a Month | My Honest Thoughts

[@primaryprocedures2289]

Before I was married and had children, I was just like you. I would give hours at school and home to this profession. However when I got a family. My priorities changed. My kids are the most important. Not just students. My school dismisses at 3. I must to leave every day by 4 to pick up my kids from childcare. If needed on Friday I occasionally (rarely) take some things home. If needed I stay until 6:00 one day a week and my husband picks up the kids. I’ve learned .... -there will always be things to do -you’re still a great teacher even if you’re not there until 9pm -your students will still learn from you -your family shouldn't suffer their time with your because of your job - no other career excepts you to do this many hours at home, don’t allow this career to take advantage of you

[@ImperfectMommyhood]

Yes! This is the best way to think about it! I am not a teacher, but instead the daughter of a teacher. My mother thought completely different and would choose to be at school until nearly 7pm and on weekends. Would even be at school late on my birthday. It definitely gave the impression that her students were more important that I was, as her daughter.

[@FaridaMufti]

I am a teacher and I am a 1st grade teacher 🧑‍🏫

[@tayloredwards3031]

Leaving school on time hasn’t been a problem for me this year, but maximizing my plan time has definitely been a problem. The ultimate goal for me would be to leave early AND not take mounds of work home. So I’m curious about the ways you had your students help you and other specific ways you maximized your time. Love this video!

[@lauralym8514]

I’m so glad you talked about how as teachers we sometimes think that if we aren’t staying late, we aren’t working as hard. I struggled with this for the first few years I started teaching. I would feel guilty leaving at my contract time and felt like I would be judged for not staying late to work on schoolwork! Now I leave at my contract time whenever I can and feel zero guilt because I know it doesn’t define me as a teacher!

[@heatherp8650]

I ALWAYS leave on time. However, I usually get to work around 6:45 when our contract hours don't start until 7:45. I find that I need the extra hour before the kids get there just to prepare mentally and have a few moments of silence and I also grade papers, lesson plan, and make copies. The work will be there tomorrow, and I get to go home and enjoy some time with my feet up. You also need those date and dinner nights. Your time is so valuable and yes, more important than those few things that didn't get done.

[@aprillynn5223]

This works for me too-getting at work 1 hour earlier than staying later:)

[@reneerosbrugh9438]

I love this idea, but I definitely empathize with that “awkward time gap” between the end of school and whatever plans I have in the evening. So what I do, is I usually stay every day until 5:30 or 6:00, but then I never take work home. When I leave, everything stays - ungraded papers, half-finished lessons, activities that need to be laminated and cut - all of it stays. This was the best method I found for me to keep that work/life balance. It means that when I get home in the evening and on the weekend, I don’t have to worry about school, and whatever’s not done will be there waiting for me on Monday.

[@ashwisen9487]

Thats an amazing idea!

[@tanyablais2992]

Renee Rosbrugh Same here! Whenever I bring a work bag home, I never do anything from it. I decided to be honest with myself. I like keeping work and home separate.

[@kaitEBee]

I didn't think I would enjoy following you on this monthly challenge thing, but now I'm hooked. I really appreciated your checklist video. You inspired me to create an end of day checklist for myself and it has been really helpful. I didn't realize that I could so easily get all the things that absolutely had to be done ready for the next day and leave my school before 5pm. But I've been doing it consistently for a couple of weeks now. Yay!

[@MmmmOk100]

Wow! How time flies when you're happy and in the driver's seat of your life. I have followed you from the beginning and I must say, you look great and you're glowing. It's good to see you pacing your greatness! Your district, school, and students are blessed to have you. You've motivated me to finally pursue my passion and teach. Thank you for sharing your journey with this community. Anything you post - I'm watching :)

[@amynoacid91]

This video really inspired me to try leaving school earlier. At my old job I would have a system to stay late one day so I could leave early the rest of the week, but at my new teaching job, it's so much harder and more work, plus I have after school tutorials three days a week. I end up staying until 7pm a lot of days. What I will challenge myself to do is use my planning time more wisely and frontload more work, so that I can hopefully leave by 5:30 on tutorial days, and 4:30 on regular days. Thanks for motivating us with this video!

[@SophieBrown16]

I love these challenges! This month I took on elements of your challenge and used your podcast habit tracker to check off the days that I managed to leave school before 5pm (I am a first-year teacher in England so my schedule is a little different to yours, but last term I was leaving at 5:30-6pm every night except Friday). We have staff meetings until 5/5:30pm every Monday, but I managed to leave before 5pm on every single Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in January, and sone Tuesdays too! I found that it's already given me a better work-life balance and has made me more productive at school too - definitely something I will be continuing with :)

[@rebeccadurden4281]

I’m not a teacher, but I’m a nanny and loved this challenge! I work for multiple families, so my weeks are usually pretty packed. I’m 19 weeks pregnant (I’ve been extremely sick the whole time) though so have had to cut back, and committed to stop taking night jobs. It has been so awesome to be home to cook, eat, and relax instead of getting in a quick meal at work and then coming home exhausted at 8/9 o’clock! 🙌🏼

[@richandkristi]

Waking up at 5 AM was my challenge for the month of January but only for school days. And going into February this is one I can stick to. As a working mom this is the best time for me to exercise and it’s been really helpful! I just feel better when I know I’ve already done some self-care. I also get my bible study time in with an audio bible and a sermon in my headphones. I think in February, I’m going to try to leave at 4:30 everyday, except 1. I stay late one day per week so I can make some copies for the next week.

[@marybryant6602]

I loved this challenge and found it difficult to get out right on time. I like giving myself 15 minutes in my room after students leave to straighten up my desk and just get myself together. I would love to hear more about what you got your students doing in your room to help you. I struggle to find the time at the end of the day for that because of how we do dismissal this year.

[@laurieg.3016]

15 minutes is still a reasonable amount of time to decompress a little and get your things to go home. Sometimes I need to breathe a little too once the kids leave.

[@Jessalyn032]

I will definitely continue to watch these videos. I joined 40wth this year and that has helped a lot with limiting my working hours. I only stay late one evening a week now. I do have the ability to go in on weekends if I choose but I haven’t needed to do it. I use every second of my work day to do what I need (productive lunch even)... and it’s really helping. Btw, I have a small wipebord by my desk and I write down everything I need to do or take home that night throughout the day as it comes up. At the end of the day, I check it before leaving to make sure I have what I need and take a pic of it for the weekend. Also, throughout the day, I put everything I will need over the weekend into my bag right after I’m done with it. Little things like this have really helped. I even purchased a second charging cable for my laptop so I don’t even have to deal with that at the end of the day! Lol.

[@dejayephoenix]

Thank you for sharing. I teach kindergarten and I have been struggling the last 4 years leaving at the end of my contracted days. Then on top of that, I was going on weekends to finish or to reorganize. I am challenging myself this month to leave by 4:30 and not come on the weekends. Like you, I wasn’t using my planning time wisely. We get a 70 minutes of planning plus this year my lunch and planning are together so that’s a little over an hour and a half. 😁 I am hoping I can start maximizing my planning time. Again thank you for such inspirational and positive videos.

[@jordanloomis4706]

I am student teaching in the fall. You are inspiring me that I can leave at a good time!! I have a daughter, She needs me in the late afternoon and evening

[@Wannabecrafting247]

We sold our home and are now living 35 minutes away from town, so my husband and I drive to town together. He has to be to work at 7 a.m. So. . . I am also at work at 7 a.m. we head home together at 5:30.Getting up at 5 a.m. is a HUGE challenge, but there is no other choice right now.

[@briannalyon1653]

I choose Kind my boyfriend needs to be at work at 7am as well. We were missing so much time together when I laid in bed all morning while he got ready. I leave about 45 minutes after him but we both get up at 5:30am. It’s really nice to get up and get a good start to the day.

[@MrsFord2009]

I actually did the February challenge for January and plan to leave work in February by 4pm. I had early bus responsibilities in January so I had to get up at 4:30am to be ready to get to work by 6:45. The first week was tough but it got much easier especially with 20 minutes of yoga to help wake me up. Thanks for the challenges! This has been fun!

[@tracy_in_primary]

I'm really glad you did this challenge and shared what you learned about managing the workload. There is definitely an inferred perspective in the education industry, that the good teachers work harder and stay later than other teachers. Not just on KZbin, but in actual schools all around the world. I crashed and burned two years ago and this is something I had to do for my own health and wellbeing. My contract hours finish at 4pm (40 minutes after kids leave my classroom), and I try and leave by 4:15pm, so I have an hour to sort myself out for the following day. I'm home 5 minutes later and that gives me a chance to put my feet up, have a cuppa and relax before I start having my adult kids & hubby coming home from work and telling me all their things. I am still getting everything done at school, and I am learning that some things don't have to be done to my high standard, they just have to be done. Most of all, I am much healthier, mentally and emotionally.

[@slmarsworld]

Happy February! Thanks for the challenges, Michelle. I was able to leave within 5 minutes of my contact day every day in January but one, as I had a meeting with a parent scheduled. I had stayed at least an hour after my contact day in the past and definately did not optimize my plan time. After school I didn't get much done anyway as I usually was not on my game without some kind of movement and change of scenery. I'm with you on the Up at 5 AM challenge for February, and I will continue leaving school by 3:35 most days in February as well. I'm not going to go in early unless there is a meeting or its my week to supervise students waiting for class (one week a month). On those days I'll go in just 15 minutes before my contract time. Love the direction you've gone with the channel after your class filming restrictions began. Still with you!!!

[@ambermckeever7573]

Really enjoyed this! Trying to implement something similar. We get out of school earlier, but I’ve been trying to leave before 4:30 each day and use the power 3 list (which keeps being 3-5 things, but I’m trying!). It’s been helping, and I have a coworker next door who is trying to leave earlier too which helps!

[@mollysmith3281]

You are teacher GOALS everyone wants you to teach them 😂 love you

[@abigailshafer2850]

I coach and am also in grad school so I’m not able to stay late after school anymore. I created a planning schedule for myself to make sure I was getting everything done for the next week during the current week. I have to stick to what I’m planning for during that day of planning and I make sure I’m working the entire time. What I don’t get done, I do during lunch and so far that has helped me to not stay late after school! I also grade papers every day between the time my students leave and when my contract time ends, and I do nothing else. I have to grade during that time. After 5 days of having that time for grading, I get all my grading done at school as well. I hope this helps give you and others ideas for maximizing time at school!

[@msdeana11]

I get to work at 6:30. I don’t have to be there until 7:30, but traffic is SO much better when I leave earlier and I am more of a morning person. I am able to get a lot accomplished and leave on time. I think of things I need to do and put it on my list and what doesn’t get done through out the day I do the next morning. It works well for me 🙂. I don’t really take much home, it’s usually cutting out laminated stuff

[@Herewegrowclassroom]

My last school gave teacher of the year to a teacher that they made sure everyone heard that works late, even up until midnight. I said if that's what it takes to be recognized, I don't need any recognition. As long as my students are learning and growing, then I've done my job. My students grew substantially, and I rarely stayed longer than my contracted hours.

[@cecileganel]

I found this challenge, and although I’m not a teacher... it also applies to me. I’m a chef and my hours are insanity. I do have “scheduled hours”, but I normally work 30 minutes before and anywhere from 0:15-2:00 after. With valentines this weekend I’m counting on the insanity to continue. However, I intend to leave on time every day in the month of March. Thanks for the inspiration

[@audrag77]

You have definitely inspired me to leave by 4:30. I was also working late and with a 40 minute commute it was starting to affect my marriage. It feels awesome to be home with time to spend with my husband and enjoy my evening.

[@myishahutchinson652]

Your honesty about this challenge was refreshing. As a person who used to stay late every day after school many, many years ago, I didn't find it beneficial. Once I set a particular day that I would stay late, it helped me appreciate leaving and giving myself time to unwind. You're awesome and continue doing your absolute best.

[@chelsyealyssa]

You’re so inspiring! It’s so great to have a positive example from a fellow educator. Thank you for being you! Can’t wait to see how February’s challenge goes! 💜

[@sarahlanier9785]

I'm glad you did this challenge. I am in my fourth year and have been leaving on time daily. It's not early, it's on time if you're leaving when your contract hours are up! I also do not take work home with me. I'm so glad to work in a district that values family and home time. I recall the superintendent of the first district I worked in giving a welcome speech on my first day where he talked about how teachers should never leave the building empty handed and should always have something to do. No, sir. We are people with other obligations and personal lives and teaching is a job. Leave your job at work as much as possible and enjoy your time with Billy and to yourself!

[@RobynRoberto]

Loved this, nice to hear that you got everything done even though you left early every day!

[@mahoganyiana282]

This is my goal because the last thing I want to do for my first year of teaching is get burnt out. If I can practice healthy habits I’ll be on my way!

[@TeresaPerez-yl5us]

I just started my first year of teaching and I am having the hardest time getting in the groove since I'm starting in the middle of the year. I've been doubting all my choices but I'm trying.

[@tanyablais2992]

You will work longer hours at first. Just accept that and enjoy the process as best as you can.

[@luxteacher]

Until January 2020, I have stayed really late (sometimes until midnight!!!) working at school. I get there around 5:30am daily and it just seems to never end. I've done it for years but one day I woke up and decided that my personal well being is just as important as "school stuff." Guess what? The world is still spinning, I'm still making a difference and I feel so much better! I loved your video. I won't follow along for February due to the fact that I'm used to being up and out of the door by 5. Keep up the great job!

[@savedbyhisgrace3533]

I was ready to embrace your February challenge and waiting with anticipation as you began to announce it. Well...I wake up at 4:00 AM to make my teaching and home life happen, so I guess I'm with ya on this one, by default!. I am interested to hear your thoughts. Mornings are huge for me. I don't know what I'd do without those quiet hours. Good luck! I enjoyed your wrap up of your January challenge!

[@russellpalatiere8852]

Love the video. I’m going to attempt leaving at my contract hours (6pm Mon-Thurs) at my medical office for the month of February. It will be interesting because I am not allowed to have overtime, and we sometimes run over with patients. Let’s see how this goes for me! The monthly challenges are fun. I’ve already got my next couple of challenges planned!!

[@primarilyoptimistic9139]

I loved the monthly challenge. I teach at a late school so I always have to leave on time at the end of my contract time (4:30). Sometimes I feel rushed, because my students also don't leave until 4:30, but I do try to maximize my plan time so that I don't feel stressed out and I can get everything on my to do list done.

[@lovicollier9640]

Well done, I’m proud of you too. It’s hard not to feel stress and pressured. There’s always something to do at school. Leaving it behind at the end of the day, it’s not the end of the world. Having a personal life is great. 👍😀💐🇳🇿. Smiles from down under.

[@TurtleMom23]

This year, administration is really focusing on self-care and taking care of us as educators so we can give to our students. This is also the first year where I have two adult children living at home, both with cars, jobs and school (read: Mom Taxi no more!), so I'm choosing to focus on my husband and I. As such, my contract hours are from 7-3, so I typically stay until 4 Monday - Thursday and leave on time on Fridays. I bring work home rarely. You're right, Michelle - when you put yourself on a tight schedule, you get a lot of stuff done. There's actually a science to this phenomenon. It states that no matter how long a task takes us to complete, we will use all the allotted time we have. It's called the Parkinson's Law. Look up. Fascinating. Oh, and I typically wake up at 5 anyway because I'm not a pop-out-of-bed-and-get-to-work kinda gal. No. I need to drink some coffee (lately, I've switched to lemon water), I need to wake up slowly. So when I finally get on campus and I'm all smiles, I've been up for a couple of hours. For the month of February, however, I am going to start working out in the mornings, which means I have to get up at 4:30. Oiy.

[@lealou1092]

I was actually going to suggest getting up early to workout. I got up around 5:30 for a few weeks to do yoga and loved it (before winter break)! I need to get back to it ASAP!

[@tamarahawkins1413]

This is my life most days. You don’t need to stay. You need to live 💓

[@gingergirl12308]

I can definitely say that this kind of thing is MUCH easier as you get higher in your years. It is way easier to get my planning and grading done now in year four during my actual planning time rather than taking anything home or finishing stuff. When I was a first year teacher, even second year, I was staying until 6pm most days and still felt behind. But now that I’ve had a few years I know what to expect and it’s much easier and I can do those essentials each week faster.

[@freedomwitch]

I love the idea of these videos go give inspiration of challenges for teachers to take on to better themselves and reflect what will make them their best "teacher self".

[@Usikkert111]

“Awkward time between work and the gym”... free time? Time off? Literally your life? Haha you work too hard! Get a hobby! Read! See friends! Go somewhere! See things!

[@Calythia]

As a first year teacher, I don't think it's realistic to try to leave at the end of my contract hours. But that being said, while I was watching this video, I realized that I waste a lot of time either talking to co workers or working on a non-essential. I need to focus my time differently. I do go into school early (I personally love getting there before the traffic and the crowded copy room haha), so I'll definitely join you for the February #teachermonthlychallenge. I currently get up at 5:15 on weekdays and 7 on weekends. I look forward to seeing what you do with your extra time and I think with mine (at least on the weekends) I'd like to work on my art journal. #selfcare

[@mayronblanco2881]

Hi Mrs. Ferré! I have been a fan for a long time! I am also a student at a school in New Jersey ! My passion when I am an adult is to be a teacher! I have been saving your videos so when I am an adult I can get everything you have!

[@b3rnyrs]

It is so great to hear that you could make it! Congratulations!! I work from 7.20 am to 3 pm and if I can do it in that period of time, you can :) Teachers should get inspired to use hours at school and have a life a little less stressed hehe

[@kayannstory2692]

I'm so glad you learned to maximize your productivity with your time! I know that was my biggest hurdle when I first started and my family/me time suffered so much! You are so giving with your time and energy, and you deserve the rest and free time. Enjoying these "vloggish" videos! Lol! Hugs!

[@PEACHFACE24]

You’ll love getting up early later on in the challenge. You can get so much done for yourself before going to work. At least that’s my preference. This month I’ll be doing the leave work early challenge. I need this to help me with staying on task during working hours. I feel overworked and stressed when I leave work to come home and do more work. There has to be some ME time somewhere, so I definitely want to do this.

[@pamsteckman698]

I already leave at contract time unless I absolutely have to stay. =) but going to start 5am tomorrow. It is only 30 mins early for me. I have to leave at 6:25 by the latest. That extra 30 mins tends to help just let me not rush so much... we will see.

[@creativecards9134]

I went to College to be an ECE but right now I am currently not working in that field. I am helping my parents with their business right now and on days that I have to work I get up at 4:30 in the morning.

[@tanleggegjulliett]

I leave school pretty much every single day by contract time. However I get to school about an hour before contract hours everyday. It was my compromise to being able to spend time with my toddler! When I leave early in the mornings I’m not missing ~much~ or at least much more than I would be anyway. I also feel like I have a better idea of what needs to be done because I have a more clear idea of what we will be doing in class based on papers I graded at home, reading guided reading notes etc.

[@aprillynn5223]

Yes-work smarter and that's what you did! Good job:) I am the same-I use every minute of my day to prep and plan (even lunch). I try not to goof around and talk too much so I can leave by contract time. Some teachers say to be "must be nice" and that soo irritates me because I do not have to be at school to be planning or working on projects for my students. Now I smile and say "yes, it is:)."

[@heatherox96]

I can't get over the 4:10 dismissal time!! Ours is 2:40 and we can leave at 3:15! Props to ya girl!!

[@dcthomas99]

Can you do a blog about how you plan for and conduct your guided reading, including the calendar for the students? That would be helpful and interesting.

[@adrianochoa9138]

I hope you come to love the mornings!! I became such a morning person by waking up at 5!

[@kristikblank]

I spent many late nights at school my first year teaching, and then again when I changed grade levels, but now that I've been in the same grade level for a while, and I've set up most activities to be reused each year, I don't stay late. I used to look at staying late as being dedicated and hard-working, but now I look at it like a work-life imbalance. I've made a conscious decision to only stay late when truly needed, which is maybe once every couple weeks, and I don't typically stay longer than an extra hour. Things can get done if we're extremely efficient during contract hours.

[@rebekahmiller8338]

You have inspired me, sometimes overwhelmed teacher, many times. Thx you!

[@xNCFOREVERx]

I am thinking of getting to school by 630 everyday and my students come at 710am. Students and car line ends usually at 245pm so ending hrs would be 3pm. I need to work on using my time wisely and that will help a lot I think and get more motivated to doing it all instead of being overwhelmed

[@terrificintk]

I ♥️ your challenges and was excited to do the January challenge! You should have seen my teacher BFF’s face when I told her I was leaving at the end of our contract time everyday in January. 😧 We both typically stay late at school and often are the last teachers to leave. I was able to leave at 3:15 everyday except for 2 of the days! It felt good! Your February challenge will be easy for me because I get up at 4:45-5 every week day. I don’t think I can do the weekends! 😜 I ♥️ to sleep in!! Thank you for challenging this old, veteran teacher and keeping things fun!!

[@tidyteacher662]

Hi Michelle, great video! Well done on keeping to your challenge! I liked the way you explained the pros and cons. I have been teaching for many years and still struggle to leave on time! I must say I think time chatting to colleagues is essential in feeling part of a team though. Good luck with the February challenge! Looking forward to seeing how you get on.

[@emilygraham1312]

Yes! I was so proud of you this month. I do the same thing… Well, I do the same adjusted schedule thing as you! I stay a little bit after school to do a few things and then go to the gym. I started doing that in October of last year and it has made such a huge difference for me! I too experienced a mindset change, and feel so much stronger and more energetic. Thanks for sharing!

[@azh5111]

I did this challenge as well. I am a second year teacher and know that last year I spent most days staying late to prepare everything. This year I was able to cut down the staying late time in half but wanted to try to leave right at the end of my contract hours. I managed to succeed! Yay! I did feel rushed like you though. For the remainder of the year I want to try choosing 1-2 days a week to stay after school but set a timer for only 30 minutes so I am still leaving at least 3 days a week right on time.

[@erlyne0]

I like the idea of this challenge and appreciate you stepping out of your comfort zone and sharing with us.

[@alysonserenastone2917]

I come in 15 minutes early and leave 15 minutes late on most days. I find that I get more done this way. It makes me use my prep and I find that I am getting a lot done. Now, I do stay kind of late on Fridays and I don't get home between events-doesn't happen very often. I used to stay super late, but I feel so much better this year and my head is a lot clearer. Plus, I have a great group this year, so that helps.

[@wendymadden8535]

Oh gosh! You really chose some very difficult challenges!! I have a hard time leaving school early, but I am working on it. My goal for 2020 is to leave by 4:15. My school finishes at 3:15. Good luck with your February challenge. There's absolutely no way that I could join you on that challenge. Getting up at 6:05 is a struggle for me.

[@RachaelLyn]

I made a goal to leave school by 5. Last week I kept pushing this time back further and further. This week I will challenge myself to leave at 4:30 to make up for it. I hope I don't regret this challenge!

[@Thealaskanteacher]

I love these challenges and videos and especially following on Instagram. I left way earlier than I have been all school year this month because of it. I can’t wait to hear more challenges of things to try and make a happy teacher life.

[@funkyprincess01]

I’m going to do the not staying super late challenge for February but modified. For January I made the goal to get up with my alarm instead of hitting the snooze button 15 times. I was able to get to work 15-45 minutes early so I could actually get things done without people distracting me. Looking forward to your results.

[@korifitzner342]

Girl you have got it figured out! I think I am going to try combining the January and February challenge both in the month of February!

[@rachelunger3201]

I used to stay late when I didn’t have kids. I now have two kids and am a single mother. I also work in a school where classes finish at 2:30 and the doors are locked between 4:30 and 5 so I can’t stay so late even if I wanted to. My girls have child care that lasts until 4:30 though they do not like being the last ones picked up. The only days I stay more than 30mn past the end of the day are when I run an after school activity and then I leave as soon as it ends. Family time is just too important.

[@smalltowngirl78]

This is awesome and I love that you were able to do this! At my school, we don't get any planning time, so the mere thought of leaving at the end of my contract time just makes me laugh :( My only time to myself all day is a 15 minute recess every other week (every other week I have duty), and my 40 minute lunch. That's it. I've also found that when I bring work home, I just don't do it. Just my experience!

[@csalebra]

You wake up at 7AM ON SCHOOL DAYS?!? I have to be ready to receive children at 7 AM. lol you are living the dream. I have to be out of my house by 6:20 to be to school on time.

[@JasmineAvril]

KT Zebras SAME!

[@AAB-intheATL]

Same! My contract day starts at 6:45 a.m. I'm actually okay with that because I can leave fairly early. :)

[@jackiemcgee2948]

KT Zebras yes but remember, that means she can’t leave until after 4pm. Also, they don’t get as much vacation time that I have! I’d rather have a week at thanksgiving, two at Christmas, and a week for spring break. I know Michelle only gets like a couple days off during these holidays. There are definitely pros and cons of each schedule!

[@katiepitts4701]

I’m at school by 7 AM as well, but school doesn’t start until 9:10.

[@taylorparsons5438]

KT Zebras right! That’s sleeping in! We start early but we get done by 1:45 and I leave at 3:20 which is my goal.

[@Frazzle2Zazzle]

This is a great video! :) I wake up at 4 am during the week and I go to the gym before work. It’s made my mornings fantastic!

[@oliviasnejdeit9582]

I’m looking at the books on your counter behind you.... fish in a tree and out of my mind?? Two of my favourites!

[@mariemolloy2392]

I agree that people assume that the teachers who stay later are harder workers. I am more of a morning person and arrive at 6:00 am every morning to get work done. I rarely have to take anything home because I am very productive while at school. This did take me a lot of years to figure out though. I have been teaching for 22 years.

[@jenocean824]

This was a great video! I struggle with getting myself out of school at a decent time and this might be a motivation for me to do a similar challenge. I joined your channels years ago at the beginning and I follow you for your awesome teacher videos. I do miss you not being able to film in your classroom anymore but I know that was not your decision. I have to admit I am not following a lot of your gym activities, but your teaching videos are still the best on youtube!

[@TheBibliothecaire]

Love this idea of the monthly challenges! That’s a great idea

[@worldwanderingwhittakers]

This video is so satisfying! Loving the organisation and productivity 😍 This is what I aspire to be like when I’m a teacher next year!!

[@amyeli33]

I like how you found a happy medium going forward. I think it was beneficial to leave early, but like you said, there was an awkward amount of time between being at work and going to the gym.

[@alinakc5264]

Yes, please. More teacher challenge videos, please. Can you please also share more hooking openers for the beginning of classes.

[@bbresnan7649]

Would love to hear the types on how you maximized your time, got kiddos to help you throughout the day, etc.

[@rashidanjackson]

Really liking these videos and challenges! I couldn’t exactly do what you did because my husband and I share a car BUT my January challenge was putting on makeup 💄 every day, which I will continue. This month I think I’m going to challenge myself to actually get up in the mornings when I wake up and not just lay in the bed. I usually wake up early but lay down in the bed until I definitely need to wake up. Let’s see how it goes!

[@millasavilampi5764]

I found this really interesting. I am a teacher in Finland and we don't have contract hours. In my country we have to teach a certain amount of classes per week depending on what we teach. E.g. primary scool teachers have to teach 24 lessons (1 lesson is 45 minutes long) per week. I teach foreign languages (English and Swedish) so I have to teach 20 lessons per week. After the day's lessons are over I can do my planning at school or I can go home. I actually prefer going home and doing all the planning there. I just get more done this way. I can spend 20h a week planning and grading etc. but if I get everything done in 10h I still get the same pay. So basically we are given about 15-20h per week for planning and other work but it's not monitored in any way. You can do 30h or 2h but the pay is the same. Tomorrow I only have three lessons in my schedule so I can leave school at 12.15 and since I did my lesson planning earlier this week, I will leave and have a free night. There's a debate going on whether we should change into this contract hour system but most teachers are against it and reading these comments it seems that most of you teachers work over time even though you have the contract hours.

[@ericahartley3472]

I found this challenge interesting. When I taught elementary I also left every day as soon as I could, but only because I am a huge morning person and would get there about 1.5 -2 hours before we were “obligated” to be there. I would plan out everything, get supplies organized, ready, and basically do what you probably did in the afternoons. I also maximized every minute planning time and even took a shorter lunch to be able to leave when I could. It’s all based on preference. I really liked getting to work early, no one was there, I didn’t fight traffic, I had time to ease into my day instead of walking in with the kids and feeling overwhelmed first thing in the morning. I’m curious how February’s challenge will go for you! I’m hoping by waking up early it resets your internal clock to WANT to go to bed earlier so that you aren’t so tired each day! Looking forward to the vlog at the end of the month to see how it went for you! Much love from Lake Charles, Louisiana! 💚💛💜

[@oreagano_03]

Love this...great job sticking with it! Leaving earlier and still getting everything done is something I'm trying to work on.

[@kristyboyd4809]

Great challenge! I stay way too late because I don't like to take anything home. I could also be more productive and efficient so leaving earlier is a great goal for me. I'm also impressed with your commitment to going to the gym. I really need to do that too.

[@Ms_Johnson11]

I hate the awkward time. I can leave at 3. I often volunteer at the high school concession stand for sports games... well, that awkward time is just ugh. Not enough time to justify going home, but killing time at school. Now that I have a dog though I have to go home to let him out.

[@johnlopez3996]

A great thing about not staying until 6 or 7pm is that you can go home while there is still daylight available. You have more time to decompress at home. Enjoy your week.

[@braydenservis7929]

My contract hours are from 8 till 3:30, I usually get to school around 7:35, and leave around 4

[@marissawade5684]

I saw the fish in a tree book in the back and it immediately brought me back to when my class read that last year. It was such a good book and if you’re reading this and are into books that are fiction but can be based off of a true story, than you should read this!!

[@the5crows375]

I've decided to leave after contract hours 3-4 days a week and stay later on 1 or 2 days to plan and prep. I like this so much better :)

[@GigglesAttack91]

Love these challenges!!

[@AllThingsCherie2024]

I am starting this this month. I leave on time, but I am not getting grading done which means I am bringing things home, so it still means that I am behind and doing work. Great challenge!! Not joining you for your Feb challenge because I get up between 3am and 4:30am. You can do it!!!

[@jo-annguthur7314]

can you make videos of more teaching related ideas - like detailing your centres or maybe elaborating on how you do your guided reading.... this would be great!

[@tatluv09]

This month I've tried to leave a little after I clock out at 5p. I work in an elementary/preschool so after elementary gets out at 3p I have to stay for the after school program. I have been leaving by 5:15p everyday. It feels good to leave earlier than I normally would.

[@AJ-hz3tx]

This was very interesting! What usually kills me is MEETINGS. It seems like we have to meet about *something* at least 2 days a week. And if not that then a celebration like a baby shower, wedding, retirement, etc. not complaining, of course I want to celebrate my coworkers but just sayin. Forgot to add: not sure if you plan on kids in the future (sorry, if too personal) but this challenge was great for you just to sample what it might be like when you have kids. Sometimes I envy my kid free coworkers because I feel like they can relax and chit chat during the school day whereas I’m trying to use every single minute efficiently so I can leave on time and be with the kids.

[@susanbrandt6642]

Love these videos and challenges! I agree with trying to leave a bit more on time... I was also trying to get everything done on my list. The 5AM challenge sounds brutal!! Not a morning person either! Good luck!

[@melodys7]

I like the challenges. It’s got me making smaller weekly goals related to work.

[@kateminkler3910]

Any video of yours makes me happy. I love watching your videos

[@tammimarie]

Yes, I liked this. I get up at 4:15 to get to school one hour early. I leave right on time every day. I go to sleep at 8. Weekends though.... no way. Saturday is probably 6 and Sunday 7