Teacher Wellbeing at Report Time
The dreaded report writing season is upon us! All Australian schools are mandated by the Australian Education Regulation 2013 to report on student achievement twice a year, so unfortunately it isn’t exactly a job you can push to the back of your desk for later.
Use these tips to help you survive the reporting period relatively unscathed!
1. Preparation is key!
Academic reports are legal documents, so trying to bluff your way through them just won’t cut it. You’ll be surprised at the preparation you’ve done without even realising, but follow these tips to cover your bases.
Check out your programs, evaluations, assessment schedules and data. These documents will create a bigger picture of the entire learning experience than what your syllabus and most recent assessment task can – what has been taught, what adjustments were made, formative assessment notes and, as an added bonus, they will be in YOUR words, so you won’t need to translate from curriculum jargon into everyday vocabulary.
Reflect on parent meetings. Nothing in a student’s report should be a surprise for a parent or carer when they receive it. Look back in your meeting logs and if there is anything you think you may not have communicated, make the call! This will save you the stress of spending hours pining over what to include in a student’s report for areas for improvement.
2. Time to Shine!
The dread of spending long days and late nights stuck at your computer can drain you before you even begin. Block out some specific times dedicated solely to report writing. Breaking this up into an hour or two at a time will limit any procrastination or distraction and ensure you spend time doing the things you love!
Get some fresh air, play with your kids, head to the gym, have a nice, long bubble bath! Do whatever it is that makes you feel human, then slide back into your next time block feeling refreshed. Your reports will be better for it, meaning less edits down the track – thank us later!
3. Hydrate!
Something you hear frequently when exercising or spending time out in the sun, but something you might not consider when it comes to report time! Staring at the computer screen for hours can lead to dry eyes as it is. When you add dehydration to the mix, you end up with brain fog and difficulty concentrating.
Keep a big bottle of water in reach and take regular sips
Us teachers love a cuppa! It is wonderful for the soul but not so great at hydrating you. Try and limit your caffeine intake.
Snack on hydrating foods such as fruit, vegetables and dip, or even some yoghurt!
4. Snack like nobody’s watching
Enough said, really. There is never a time when snacks aren’t a good idea! Keep a good variety on hand. Some delicious, hydrating snacks as mentioned earlier are important and will help you write great reports but don’t forget to treat yourself too! Some popcorn, a few chocolates or lollies will help make report time feel like a celebration of all your hard work and the success of your beautiful students.
5. Be Kind
Finally, be kind to yourself! You are great at what you do. Trust your judgement, take time to really digest what you are writing about your students and feel proud of how far they have come. If you feel stuck, take a break! Don’t be afraid to seek feedback or ideas from your supervisor or colleagues – the power of a fresh set of eyes is not to be underestimated and chances are, they’d love some advice too!
Reports are an amazing opportunity to outline the achievements of your students but they are just a small part of what we do as teachers. They are not a reflection of your success as an educator or, more importantly, as a person. Remind yourself that the process won’t last forever and feel proud of all your hard work!