It's the teacher's first day back to school. It's great to see all your colleagues and catch up. You've been in professional development all morning long. All the information has been extremely helpful and you are energized and ready to start the school year. You're excited that you have the whole afternoon to work in your classroom and start checking items off your ever growing to-do list. Before you even start towards your classroom, a group of co-workers asks if you'd like to go out for lunch. Do you go [[out to lunch with some co-workers]] or do you [[eat in your classroom]] while you work so you can get more done.
<img src="https://image.shutterstock.com/image-vector/welcome-back-decorative-lettering-text-260nw-288670112.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Two foxes">Lunch took an hour, but you enjoyed the time catching up with co-workers and you know once school starts you won't have the luxury of an hour long lunch. Lunch out has filled you with energy and you are determined to get the student desks set up, your Welcome Back bulletin board finished and the Growth Mindset display up in the classroom. You have been working for 30 minutes when a co-worker stops by to chat. You love chatting with co-workers and you haven't seen her all summer, but you are in the middle of a task and you know you'll end up chatting for a while. You don't know if you should [[say sure]] or [[politely ask if you can talk tomorrow]].
<img src="http://www.liberaldictionary.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/out-to-lunch.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Two foxes">You politely decline the invitation to go out to lunch. You feel good knowing you can get started on setting up your classroom. You've been working for a couple hours when a co-worker stops by to talk about a student they will have this coming year. You want to be helpful, but you're also in a groove in your classroom and you hate to lose your momentum. You know it's important to your co-worker to have this discussion, but you know it will not be a quick conversation. Do you [[say sure]] or [[politely ask if you can talk tomorrow]]?
<img src="http://www.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/92017-Working-Hard.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Two foxes">The conversation took 45 minutes, but you know your co-worker appreciated it and your to-do list will always be there. You get back to work on your Welcome Back bulletin board while thinking of all the other things you still need to do in order to be ready for the students next week. Time flies by and before you know it, you hear the dismissal bell. You promised yourself and your family you would leave when the dismissal bell rang so you wouldn't end up being there all night, but you are almost done with the Growth Mindset display in your classroom. Do you [[finish the display]] or [[go home]]?
<img src="https://s18670.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/Art-Craft-and-Bulletin-Board-Ideas.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Two foxes">You politely tell your co-worker that you have a lot you would like to get done in your classroom today and you wouldn't be completely focused on the conversation if you had it right now. You make a plan to meet in the morning before the staff meeting. You get back to work on your adorable Welcome Back bulletin board. Staying focused has helped you check items off your long to-do list. You're so focused on your work that you jump when you hear the dismissal bell ring. You promised yourself and your family you would leave when the dismissal bell rang so you wouldn't end up being there all night, but you are almost done with the Growth Mindset display in your classroom. Do you [[finish the display]] or [[go home]]?
<img src="https://s18670.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/Art-Craft-and-Bulletin-Board-Ideas.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Two foxes">After 30 minutes the display is finished and looks great. You're glad you can check another item off your to-do list. You feel satisfied with everything you accomplished today. You have more to do, but it's time to go home to recharge for tomorrow's meetings. You grab a couple things to work on at home and head out the door. A teacher's work is never done, but teaching is your superpower!
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/28/58/8d/28588d6aa020ddd47ab1f598e5ef616c.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Two foxes">Good for you! You will have time tomorrow to finish the display. You gather some things to take home to work on and leave knowing you have a good start on setting up the room. A teacher's work is never done, but teaching is your superpower!
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/28/58/8d/28588d6aa020ddd47ab1f598e5ef616c.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Two foxes">