As a former elementary school teacher, I know the feeling of returning to school after the holidays just to be greeted with shorter attention spans, low stamina, and routine regression. Teacher exhaustion is at its peak, so going in with the right resources and attitude can make all the difference. There is so much pressure to jump back into the routine, but let’s not forget that most routines were disrupted in December with assemblies, snow days, holiday stress, and grading. We need to normalize a slower re-entry for teachers and students in January. Here’s why:
- All of us are out of our routine! It’s not just the students, but the parents of students, teachers, and all staff. Give everyone some grace.
- The emotional load is real. Whether the holidays were busy or boring, students need some emotional support to ease back into the classroom routine.
- Winter can be looooong! Just one look at the calendar shows the long stretch until spring. We are still short on daylight hours and exhaustion is peak.
What is a ‘soft reset’?
Focus on energy conservation right now, and not so much on productivity. Go over routines and procedures in a way that feels supportive for everyone. Remember, these are good reminders for adults, too! Leave a few minutes before and after transitions to review the expectations. Give students space to talk about what went well and what still needs work. Don’t forget about those class contracts everyone signed at the beginning of the year! Pull them back out and make adjustments by adding to and taking away things that are or aren’t needed. Prioritize regulation over rigor for the first couple weeks back into routine. Trust me, this will help you all make it to the spring!
Practical January Teacher Reset Strategies
- Desk and body comfort upgrades
- Proper seating – Try this comfortable seat cushion for your own teacher chair! Make working in small groups at your kidney table that much more pleasant when you slide into a gel memory foam cushion. Maybe even use it as a student incentive! Or even better, brighten up your room with these plush flower throw pillows that make the dreary view outside much more bearable!
- Foot support – For sitting and grading or working with students, a footrest can make all the difference to support your body! Those long hours standing can really take a toll on your body at this time of the year. Kick your feet up while you work!
- Reducing screen strain – We are working on our devices a lot these days, so help take it easy on your eyes. Try a laptop blue light screen protector or blue light blocking glasses.
- Visual time supports
- Visual timers – If you need a visual timer for one student or a small group, try a cute rainbow visual timer with case!
- Countdown tools- For the class, try a slightly larger 60-minute visual countdown timer.
- Clocks – And if time just seems to be moving so slow this winter, grab a colorful digital clock to help pass the time!
- Reducing decision fatigue
- Organized desk tools – Update your desk to help uplift your mood. Something as simple as a rotating pen organizer is sure to lift a January mood!
- Clearly labeled materials – Labeling always puts me in a good mood! Add these self-adhesive toolbox stickers to help organize your supplies.
- Simple systems – Hanging file folders are an easy way to keep track of daily or absent assignments. I always had one hanging by my door.
In short, you have permission to start small! January is about survival, not perfection. You don’t need a new system. You don’t need more willpower. You don’t need to just push through. If all you do this month is protect your energy and offer stability to your students, that is more than enough. You’re not behind. You’re human.