Self Care for Music Teachers

• Kelsey Helton
• Posted 1/4/21
• 0 comments

Teaching is a stressful job, no matter how long you have been in the game; it is a calling and part of our identity. With that feeling comes a level of dedication to our careers that is particularly strong. As professionals, we are responsible for the well-being and education of millions of children, and that goal weighs heavily upon our hearts. Teaching classes, attending meetings, planning lessons, after-school duties, overseeing clubs, preparing for concerts, and commuting can cause tremendous stress in our everyday lives.

While teaching is an integral part of your life, you must remember that it is not your whole life. The sooner you realize that there is a world outside of your beautifully decorated classroom, the less likely you will be to burn out. Finding your own form of self-care will help you stay in this profession long enough to teach your student’s children.

Self-care is the practice of taking action for the betterment of your own life. Self-care isn’t always bubble baths and ice cream binging; it can be exercise, hobbies, and travel. Caring for yourself is one of the best things you can do, not only for yourself but also for the people around you.

I always thought self-care was silly. I had work to do; I didn’t have time to take the day off or sit and watch a movie. Why should I sit and do nothing on a long car ride when I could be making lists about all the work I need to do? Why should I rest? After a long time of thinking like that, I started to realize that maybe my lack of sleep, weight problems, and undiagnosed OCD and anxiety stemmed from me never sitting still.

One day, I came across a Facebook ad for a conference called the “Teacher Self-Care Conference.” I was intrigued! So, I signed up for a Saturday session in San Antonio, which wasn’t that far away. Long story short, the conference was AMAZING. Staffed by teachers from all over the United States, speakers talked about their journeys and how they had to start caring for themselves to be the best teacher they could be. Some came from abusive and toxic schools, some from trauma in their own lives, and many more from burning out. They discussed book resources, mindfulness activities, and affirmations that resonated with me. If the Teacher Self-Care Conference is coming to a city near you (they also have online content), I highly suggest going and unlocking this new mindset.

After that, I read Angela Watson’s “Fewer Things, Better: Finding the Courage to Focus on What Matters Most,” which also resonated with me. I realized it was ok to say no to a committee or hosting another after school event. I found it was a good idea to take a mental health day. I discovered that everyone else isn’t judging you as much as you are judging you.

Music teachers are usually the enthusiastic and willing folks that administrators call on for extra performances, community events, committees, and more ideas, taking away from our downtime. It is hard to say no to a Saturday performance or coming in early for a rehearsal, but you control what you say yes and no to…you are in control of who gets your time.

Some ideas for professional self-care could include the following:

• Read your contract and see what you are NOT required to do. If you feel some of your commitments fail to bring you joy, consider cutting ties with that activity. If you’re struggling to keep singers in an after-school choir, consider a drum group instead…perhaps engagement will improve!
• Leave when your contract says you can leave. There is nothing wrong with working late once in a while, but be sure to go home at a decent time.
• People bothering you during your prep time? Lock your door, do your work, and only leave for required meetings.
• Leave your grading and work at school. You aren’t going to do it at home anyway, and papers don’t need to know where you live.
• Find a group of people at school with whom you can have fun! Lean on these people when the job gets you down.
• Make friends with the secretaries and janitors. You need them more than you know, and they’re usually amazing people!
• Fulfill your own professional musical needs. Play with a community band or go to a concert. Teaching is great, but teaching a 3rd-grade recorder doesn’t provide you the same feeling as playing music with experienced musicians.
• Take your personal days when needed. The school will still be there when you get back. Take care of your doctor appointments, family commitments, or whatever requires you to take a day off. I would prefer to sacrifice a day off once in a while to clear my mind, rather than get frustrated at work and wind up affecting my teaching.

Self-care doesn’t end at school. Here are some more ideas for caring for yourself:

• Plan a trip or event to which you can look forward.
• Cook (or better yet) grab your favorite meal.
• Read a book for pleasure.
• Spend 30 minutes of uninterrupted time with your pet.
• Go for a run or walk, even if it’s to the gas station for a Coke.
• Go shopping alone and enjoy being waited on or pampered
• Take a bubble bath, get a manicure, or get your hair cut.
• Binge-watch something and just relax
• Spend the day cleaning your house if you enjoy cleaning as much as I do!

There is no right or wrong way to self-care. Do what makes you happy (within reason, of course!) The moral of the story is that teaching can be a part of your life, but don’t let it run your life. Happy people make happy teachers, who, in turn, teach happy students!

References:

Watson, A. (2019). Fewer Things, Better: The Courage to Focus on What Matters Most (Illustrated ed.). Angela Watson

Contributor

Kelsey Helton

Kelsey Helton is an elementary music teacher in the Houston area. After graduating from Kansas State University, she taught two years of middle school choir and theater in Kansas City. In 2016, she moved to the great state of Texas to…

Discover more from Kelsey