Why Holiday Breaks are Essential to Work-Life Balance for Teachers

There is a reason we can remember our teachers well beyond our schooling years. Teachers dedicate their careers to supporting students in not only their academic learning, but also in shaping their identities, finding their passions, and guiding them socially and emotionally throughout their formative years.

Remember that one teacher who sparked curiosity or joy for you in a certain subject? The one who challenged you to try something new or give something your all? The one who was there for you and gave you advice during a tough time? Teachers have the power to truly impact a student’s life in so many ways.

However, as we all know, with great power comes great responsibility. Whether you are a student, parent, fellow educator, or family/friend of an educator in your life, you know that those who work in education have a really, really demanding job. Many teachers are looking towards the next holiday break with tired eyes, as for some teachers, there are no breaks—not in the classroom nor at home.

The physical, mental, and emotional demands of teaching tend to spill over into teachers’ home lives. Whether lesson planning and grading on evenings and weekends or not being able to get that one student who needs a lot of support off their mind, a teacher’s brain is never off.

The light at the end of the tunnel is comprised of those cherished holiday breaks that give teachers a taste of balance in a few small doses.

So, what can you do to support the teachers in your life and show them your appreciation during the holiday season? Check out this ultimate gift guide for educators!

Self-Care for Teachers

With rigid schedules, endless to-do lists, and the demand for mass amounts of physical, emotional, and intellectual energy each workday, it is important to support our teachers in prioritizing self-care. Here are some gifts that can support physical and mental health!

Journals

Teaching is an emotional profession. Building connections and relationships with students are the reason many teachers enter the classroom. But these relationships can also be emotionally taxing. Every decision a teacher makes has the potential to impact students in immeasurable ways. Teachers wear many hats; in one day a teacher may take the role of: therapist, parent, nurse, coach, mentor, negotiator, mediator, event-planner, secretary, etc. The weight of this responsibility, the absorption of student baggage, and the social-emotional support that teachers provide for their students can pile up on top of the actual “teaching.”

While getting this off their chests to family members and friends is important, having a journal to write in can help teachers process all of the emotional components of their workday.

Natural light alarm clock

School starts not-so-bright and early. Many secondary schools can begin as early as 7:00 am. Meaning, teachers tend to wake up before the sun rises. Loud, jarring alarm sounds aren’t the best way to start the day; especially paired with a morning routine in complete darkness. Natural light alarm clocks mimic the sunrise by gradually illuminating the room. Some even come with calming alarm sounds that slowly ascend in volume. This would be a great gift for teachers (and their partners or spouses) who need some more pep to start their day!

Water bottles labeled with time or ounce increments

As we know, teachers cannot leave students unattended. Therefore, there are usually only a couple of chances per day in which a teacher can use the bathroom. That means that many teachers sacrifice hydration. There are water bottles that are labeled with benchmarks and goals to help those who struggle to stay hydrated. Teachers can use these water bottles to make sure they care for their bodies—even with a rigid schedule.

Noise-canceling headphones

Even during those few precious moments when teachers get to sit down, someone or something needs or desires their attention. Whether a teacher needs to drown out the noise to stay focused or to relax, noise-canceling headphones can transform the school day. Although it is difficult and sometimes may not be possible, having a few minutes without distraction or noise can help teachers ground themselves, grind through a task list, or emotionally recharge and reset before heading back into the classroom.

Vocal care: tea and lozenge candies

Projecting a “teacher voice” all day can take a toll on the vocal cords. Therefore, keeping up with a “teacher voice” can require a lot of care. There are teas, lozenges, candies, honey, and steam machines that can help ease vocal strain and support healthy vocal cords.

Help ease the financial burden for teachers who fund their classrooms

These school supplies don’t pay for themselves! Many teachers must fund their entire classroom out of pocket: from educational posters and classroom organizational bins to learning supplies to first aid products to food. The average teacher in the United States spends approximately $750 per school year to fund their classroom. Here are some ways you can help!

Purchase items on their classroom wishlist or donate on their donation page

If a teacher you know has a wishlist of supplies, ask for the link to their list and try ordering some of their high-need or high-ticket items. If they have a donation page, consider donating any amount you are comfortable with. Some popular platforms include: Amazon Wishlist, Donors Choose, Adopt a Classroom, and Go Fund Me.

Classroom care package

Putting together a basket or box of classroom essentials will save teachers a lot of time shopping and money! Here are some items that are always needed in any classroom.

Writing Utensils

Somehow, teachers give out 100 pencils on Monday, and 100 pencils are lost by Friday. Boxes of pens, pencils, highlighters, expo markers, sharpies, and coloring markers are always in demand!

Desk Supplies

Teachers not only need to fund their classrooms with student supplies, but also with teacher supplies. Teachers cycle through post-its, pens, notepads, planners, and notebooks all school year. Items like these can even be customized through sites like Etsy!

Bandaids

Where there is paper, there are paper cuts. And where there’s a playground, there are scraped knees. Bandaids are front and center in every classroom.

Tissues

Schools are some of the most germ-infested places on the planet. At all times, someone is sick in every classroom—teacher or student. Especially in the winter months, classrooms go through innumerable amounts of tissue boxes.

Snacks

Some students attend school without access to proper nutrition. Many teachers keep a snack bin, drawer, or closet to care for their students. It is extremely hard to focus when we’re hungry, so teachers make sure to stock up on food for brain fuel.

Acknowledgement & Appreciation

Like parenting, teaching can be extremely rewarding but it can also be a thankless job. As a teacher myself, there are many days when I am invigorated, inspired, and fulfilled by the relationships I have with my students and by watching them grow. However, there are also days when I come home with tears in my eyes and nothing left to give after pouring my heart, my energy, and my own money into my students with managing the unpredictability of each day.

The greatest gifts in life are free. Thank a teacher, express your gratitude, acknowledge their feelings and experiences, and listen when they need it.

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