Getting back into the groove of teaching after Winter break can be hard.  Let’s be honest, you’re so used to lounging around and may have put school out of your mind for a few weeks.  Just like a child says “I don’t wanna” when they don’t want to do something, you may have caught yourself quietly mumbling that same phrase under your breath as back to school approaches.   

But, remember the whole point of a break is to take a break so when you go back to school you feel refreshed and ready to go.  Even after you know all of that, you still may be lacking motivation, so let’s explore ways you can jump right back into teaching after Winter break.    Watch this Facebook live I did about this exact topic, listen to podcast episode, or continue reading the blog post. 

 

Be patient with yourself

Your students may be unfocused and sluggish and so will you.  You personally may not fully be 100% ready to be back yet and that’s ok.  Be patient with yourself and know that just like after summer break, it will take some time to get back into the swing of things.  

This doesn’t mean you didn’t miss your job or your students, but it just means maybe your weren’t ready for break to be done. Or maybe you didn’t accomplish everything you wanted to over the break.   But, give yourself grace and know that you’ll fall back into your routine again.  Maybe you planned your lessons before winter break or maybe you didn’t.  Either way, the first couple weeks back will be a transition.  Don’t feel guilty that you completely enjoyed your break because you needed it. 

 

 

Think about the rest of the school year

If you’re going through the motions, and feel like you’re not mentally at school yet, think about why you became a music teacher.  Then, think about all you’ve accomplished with your students so far and what you’re going to continue accomplishing moving forward. 

They’ve learned so much and you have students who have experienced music for the first time ever because of you.  Springtime is so much fun because you can get into harder stuff with your students, like composing activities with upper elementary, because you’ve laid the foundation and the building blocks at the beginning of the school year.  There is no other teacher who can teach music to your students like you do.  

 

Prepare yourself for success

Are you mentally preparing yourself by getting enough sleep, packing your lunch and getting your outfit ready the night before?  If you’re a parent, are you making sure your kids stuff is ready to go the night before?  Sometimes the first week back will be hard no matter what you do to prepare. 

You’re doing better than you think you are and it’s ok to have a rough week back.  It’s ok if it takes you a minute to find your motivation, as long as you don’t stay in that place.

 

What are ways you find your motivation to get back into teaching after a break?  I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post.   

Also, I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it.

P.S.  Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher?  Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!