5 Ways to Master the Art of Prime-Time Teaching

Education is a journey filled with inspiring moments, challenging days, and opportunities to impact lives. Now let’s embark on this exciting adventure toward becoming a prime-time teacher. Know that you’re not alone on this expedition, as seasoned educators Jason Freeman and Mike Crabtree share valuable insights through their comprehensive course, The Art of Being a Prime Time Teacher.

1. Connect with Your Tribe

Teaching, while rewarding, often feels like an endless sea of tasks, challenges, and expectations. Amidst all this, it’s easy to lose oneself and feel isolated. Hence, the importance of your “tribe,” your support network, cannot be overstated. As Crabtree states, “This is where your tribe comes in.” The tribe is your group of comrades, fellow educators who walk the same path, face the same dilemmas, and share the same victories. 

Here’s how you can establish and nurture this invaluable resource:

• Fostering a supportive environment amongst peers – The teaching profession thrives on collaboration. Share, listen, learn, and grow together.
• Engaging in shared activities – Be it lunchtime walks or a game of basketball, shared activities offer a chance for bonding, mutual encouragement, and collective growth.
• Leaning on your tribe for emotional support, motivation, & accountability – Having a group that understands your struggles and supports your journey is priceless, especially in challenging times.

2. Double Duty Activities: Engage and Reflect

What happens when teachers combine physical activity with constructive dialogue? Freeman beautifully captures this scenario: “I love that basketball did double duty. Not only was it exercise, but it was a bonding time and a time to pass things on.” This perfectly illustrates the concept of double-duty activities – tasks that serve dual purposes, making your day more efficient and balanced. 

Consider these strategies to include double-duty activities into your routine:

• Choose activities that serve multiple purposes – A good book club session, for instance, provides intellectual stimulation, social interaction, and relaxation.
• Engage in “me” time activities like running – This provides an opportunity for self-reflection, stress processing, and mental rejuvenation, all while keeping you physically fit.

3. Cultivate a Growth Mindset

A prime-time teacher continually evolves, learns, and grows. Cultivating a growth mindset is essential in this process. Embrace every setback as a learning opportunity and every success as a stepping stone. 

These are a few ways to cultivate this mindset:

• Accept the human element of mistakes – Freeman wisely states, “One thing that humans do is we make mistakes sometimes and sometimes things don’t go as well as we anticipate.” Mistakes are natural; what’s important is how we learn from them.
• Use failures as learning tools – As Crabtree suggests, take a moment to ask yourself, “What can I learn from this situation that will make me better tomorrow than I was today?”
• Embrace humility – Sometimes, seeking help is the most courageous step you can take. It’s a testament to your strength and commitment to professional growth.

4. Prioritize Self-Care

Despite the noble calling of teaching, it’s vital to remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Crabtree emphasizes this when he says, “Don’t hesitate to take care of yourself.” 

Below are some beneficial guidelines for placing self-care at the forefront of your priorities:

• Adopt healthy practices-  Include regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest in your routine. These form the pillars of your well-being.
• Engage in open, honest conversations – Sharing your experiences and challenges can provide emotional relief and also pave the way for solutions.
• Seek professional help when needed – Remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Teachers often bear societal changes and pressures; you don’t have to carry these burdens alone.

5. Taking the Next Step

Becoming a prime-time teacher is a rewarding, transformative, and occasionally challenging journey. Adopting appropriate mindsets and strategies allows you to navigate these waters gracefully and efficiently. So, go ahead, connect with your tribe, engage in double-duty activities, foster a growth mindset, and prioritize self-care.

To delve deeper into these strategies and garner more insights, take a look at Jason Freeman and Mark Crabtree’s well-articulated course The Art of Being a Prime Time Teacher. You’re a superstar. Embrace it, enjoy it, and thrive in it. After all, teaching is not just a profession – it’s a calling.