Weeks of a Beginning Teacher – Week 7: Breathing Space

Takeaways in 10s

• Rest resets the rhythm – A long weekend brought back clarity, energy, and joy in teaching.

• Preparation fuels calm – When I’m ready and rested, my teaching feels more intentional and effective.

• Small acts, big return – Doing small things daily that my future self will thank me for.

This Week in My Teaching Journey

After a long weekend and a slower pace, I feel… lighter. This break might’ve been short, but it gave me just enough space to breathe and reset. It has been a while since I ended the day feeling more energetic and more in control. A combination of conscious rest and more intentional lesson preparation translated into lessons that I could feel learning has taken place.

Today I had two lessons: one with my Secondary 3 Biology class and one with my Secondary 1 Science students. Both lessons went better than I expected. I was calmer, more present, and I think that made all the difference. My Secondary 3 lesson in particular stood out—it was one of those occasional sessions where I could keep a comfortable pace, but still see students following along, making notes, and I still have time to breathe. The worksheet I designed for the enzyme simulation activity also worked as expected. It reminded me that proper lesson preparation isn’t just a duty; it’s a gift to my future self.

One thought which I had been uttering to myself more frequently is: when I have energy, do something small that my future self will thank me for. Whether that’s working on half a section of the Sec 4 revision package or just keeping my laptop in the bag the night before so it’s easier to start in the morning—these little acts add up. They clear my mind, reduce friction, and help me walk into class carefree.

If I Could Tell My Younger Self One Thing...

“Do something small that your future self will thank you for. This includes taking breaks when needed.”

You don’t need to power through every moment. Take the breather. Recharge when you can. And when you do feel that spark of energy, use it to do something your future self will be grateful for—however small. Teaching gets easier when you give yourself room to breathe and space to prepare.

Every small act to help yourself when you CAN adds up, so don't discount them.

However, do not make this mantra into unhealthily obsessing over making progress on your work. Sometimes, a break IS the act to help your future self.

Disclaimer: This blog post is an edited summary of my written takeaways by ChatGPT and the cover image is generated by using the takeaway as the prompt in ChatGPT.