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For teachers, parents, and students, a school year is all about routines. The “get up and get out” routine is the first step to a productive day. Much like a good lesson, leaving for school involves serious planning based on experience. A teacher needs to be flexible because like a classroom there will be different variables, but having a plan that can be altered is the 1st step.
Some things to consider when developing the morning routine are:
Hygiene: It is difficult to be an effective teacher if you have bad hygiene. Be sure to brush your teeth and floss. (You may even want to do this during the school day too.) Take several showers each week. Some may choose to shower in the morning, and others at night. Some may shower ever day, others shower 2-3 times a week. Use deodorant.
Clothes: Just like when you first started school, the outfit may have been laid out the night before. It is good practice to have clothes selected easily and quickly so that you are ready to go. Do not waste valuable minutes at the start of the day deciding on what outfit is best or what set of earrings or shoes to wear.
Lunch: Having energy throughout the day is essential. What you eat throughout the day will fuel your performance. The biggest decision is will you bring your lunch or will you buy it at school or on the way. Lunch may be a variety of options, but you should have an idea of what you will be eating for lunch and snack snacks. Some teachers love consistency and will bring the same things to eat and drink all year.
Coffee: This may be the first item on a teacher’s list in the morning. How are you preparing the coffee? Are you preparing additional coffee for a spouse, significant other, or child? Will you purchase a coffee on the way to school? Will you make coffee throughout the day? Perhaps a teacher will have a prep period where it is possible to leave the school and get some coffee.
Pets and Children: The addition of a pet or child can make the morning routine a little more complicated. How do you handle pets and children? How cooperative are they? Do they need to be dropped off at school or doggy daycare? Will there be a dog walker or a babysitter that comes to the house? With a child or pet many things must be considered well in advance to make the morning routine smooth.
The Commute: The commute is the final part of the morning routine. How will you get to school? A car or car pool? How long is the commute to school? Is the commute a consistent time? Be sure to leave enough time to comfortably start your day
Departure time and arrival time will be important in making these decisions. This is a little bit like peanut butter and jelly. You can’t have one without the other. Figure out what time you would like to leave based on what time you would like to arrive at your school and in your classroom.
Exercise: We strongly encourage teachers to find time in their busy schedules to exercise might instead of push-ups and situps for a shower or it might also include a 6 mile run. Whatever form of exercise you choose, try to be consistent and not overwhelmed and schedule it into your day.