Finding Balance Between Teaching and Personal Life

Kamora Johnson

McKay Student Ambassador

Physical Education and Health Teaching

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Student teaching has taught me a lot, and one thing I did not expect to be so hard was finding balance. I thought I was going to have so much free time since the school day got over at 2:15 but I quickly learned that that is not when the school day actually ends for teachers. Teaching can take a lot of time and energy and I have had to learn how to be intentional with my time so that I can be both a great teacher and also take care of the other important parts of my life.

Lesson Planning

Lesson planning is one of the most time consuming part of teaching. I want my lessons to be great for my students so they can learn. But, mkaing sure I know the content, making the lesson engaging, and making it meaningful can take time. I have often found myself lesson planning the entire afternoon and evening. To make it so I am not spending all my free time lesson planning, I learned to take advantage of the little free moments I have during the school day like during prep or lunch. Taking advantage of these times to lesson plan and prepare for the next day instead of scrolling reels or just hanging out has helped me have more free time after school. 

Family Life

Being married has also made me more intentional of how I use my time. I want to make sure I am giving enough time and energy into building my relationship with my husband. This has looked like going on dates, talking about each other’s day, chaperoning a school dance together (see picture), and praying and reading scriptures together. Even when time feels limited, these small moments matter because that small things is how we grow together and build a healthy family. Spending less time on making my lesson perfect and more time on connecting with family has helpped me balance my life and prevent burnout.

Food

Something simple but surprisingly time consuming is food. I often I feel like life would be so much easier if we did not have to eat because cooking and grocery shopping can take so much time. I have found that planning meals in advance can make a big difference. Meal prepping and ordering groceries online to pick up from the store are other things I have found helpful. Walmart even has a student discount on deliveries if that is something that will help you balance your teaching life! Another tip is to cook with friends or family to make it more enjoyable and turn it into time to connect and grow instead of just another task.

Friendships

Making time for friends is another area that takes effort. Everyone is busy, but I have realized how important it is to plan ahead and stay connected. Having strong relationships has helped my mental health and made the hard days feel more manageable. Life feels lighter when you have people to talk to, joke with and lean on.

Utilize Class Time Wisely

One fun way I have balanced my personal life and teaching is through ethical dilemmas. In my health class, we start the day by discussing a real life scenario and talking through what we would do and why. Sometimes I have shared situations from my own life that relate to what students are learning. One example of an ethical dilemma we shared is a time when we ordered shirts for the basketball team and there was a miscommunication with the company, so the shirts we received were not what we expected. We talked as a class about who was at fault and what the best solution would be. This helped my students think through real world problems, but it also gave my mentor teach and me guidance on deciding what to do in our own lives

Exercise

Exercise has also been something I have tried to prioritize. It is easy to skip when life gets busy, but finding time to exercise is so important! It will help you focus better and just feel more energized and ready for the rest of the day. Whether it's just a walk or a full workout, find time to prioritize your health!

Hobbies

Having hobbies has been just as important. Having a hobby can be so beneficial for your mental health and reduce the risk of burnout. Spending a little bit of the day doing something you enjoy can go a long way! This semester I have started sewing more, and I have really enjoyed it. I like listening to audiobooks while I sew, and it gives me time to relax and focus on something I enjoy while also improving a skill. Even a small amount of time spent doing something you love can make a big difference.

Gospel

Most of all, do not forget to prioritize your spiritual health. When we put God first, we are able to feel His help and guidance more clearly in our lives. I often think about the object lesson with the rocks and sand in a jar. When we fill the jar with worldly things, or sand, first, the spiritual things, or rocks, will not fit. But when we put the spiritual rocks in the jar first, everything else has a place and the sand can fall into the jar.

Life can get so busy, and sometimes putting God first or prioritizing our spiritual, physical, and mental health can feel less important. But in reality, it is so crucial. When we are healthy and have a good foundation, it reflects in our teaching. We are better able to connect with our students and teach in a way that helps them learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

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