From Good to Great: Balancing Work, Life, and the Memories You Create for Students

Experiences in and out of the classroom require time, which directly conflicts with one of the many buzzwords we find ourselves using in education: work/life balance. I have many thoughts on this movement and how it affects education professionals as well as our students. However, these thoughts can be summarized into one question: When you, and your students, are long gone from your school, what will you remember, what will they remember?

The concept of "work-life balance" often gets misconstrued as a rigid 50/50 split. In reality, it's about finding an integration of passions that energizes you, both personally and professionally. For educators, this integration is crucial, as our impact extends far beyond the classroom.

One of the teachers I have the pleasure of working with daily has a quote that truly resonated with me and sums up my feelings about the importance for educators to be involved outside the classroom:

"What makes a school good happens during the school day; what makes a school great is what happens after 3:00 PM."

- Teacher

While in-class instruction is foundational, extracurricular activities are where lasting memories are forged. They deepen student-teacher relationships, foster a stronger school community, and ultimately enrich the educational experience for all.

The key word in work/life balance is "balance." I understand the appeal of prioritizing personal time, especially for new teachers. I certainly value my own time outside of work, and my wife can attest to that. However, finding a balance that includes meaningful extracurricular involvement is key to a fulfilling career. This doesn't require a Herculean effort. Consider your passions: sports, gaming, music, anything that excites you. Explore how you can share those interests with students. Coaching a team, starting a club, or chaperoning an event can be incredibly rewarding.

What I'm saying is that it's important to give to your students and school in a way that aligns with your own priorities, interests, and experiences. Do you have an affinity for sports? Then coach. Are you a tabletop gamer? Then start a gaming club. Not sure what you'd like to do? Ask your administration; they probably have a lengthy wish list of student activities to help inspire you. It doesn't have to be every day, or every sports season, but it's important to find something that fits you.

Years in the future, when you look back at your time in this noble profession, what will you remember? Years from now, what will you remember? The evenings spent streaming shows, or the thrill of leading your team to victory? The joy of watching students discover a new passion?

Maybe it was the time you chaperoned a dance and the kids pulled you onto the dance floor, resulting in a video that went viral around the school (speaking from experience on this one—it was fun). It's the things outside of the classroom that often live on in the memories of both professionals and students alike, with the extra added bonus of taking your school from good to great during the time they were lucky enough to have you as part of their lives.