How to Set Boundaries as a Teacher and Why it’s so Important

Important information on how to set boundaries as a teacher that are clear and healthy and why this is so important for life balance.

Do you find that teaching takes over your life and you have trouble setting clear boundaries for yourself?

Many of us have this issue.

The boundaries in our teaching life can often be very fuzzy between home and work. Work spills over into your home life and it’s then hard to draw a line between the two.

This is a problem, now more than ever with the way educations is delivered in the world at the moment.

UPDATED: 13th October, 2020

Why is it so important for educators to set boundaries?

Do you ask yourself why it’s so hard to say ‘NO’ and set the necessary boundaries you NEED to have a healthy balance in your working life?

Often teachers find themselves being taken advantage of and whether you admit to this or not, I think it comes back to the fact that WE allow this to happen to some degree.

You try to be EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE.

I know you CARE so much about your job and the children you teach every day and because of this it can be hard to know how much is enough… and then how much is too much.

I was like this.

Partly, because I think I’m naturally a ‘People Pleaser’ AND a ‘Perfectionist,’ trying to do it ALL and then I didn’t want to disappoint or feel like I let anybody down — NOT a good combination as a teacher!

DO YOU FEEL LIKE THIS TOO?

It’s time to speak up for yourself!

But, I’ve come to the realization that there needs to come a time for us as capable professionals to SPEAK UP. — to set the necessary boundaries in our lives — to prioritize your own needs AND to make sure you don’t neglect yourself, before you end up becoming a martyr to the ’cause’ or as some people like to call it: “THE CALLING.”

I think we think we do speak up for ourselves, however, sometimes WE end up being our own WORST enemies.

For example – When you’re sick, do you still go to school anyway?

Or, does your ‘to-do’ list just keeps calling you, SO you take work home and continue slogging it out after dinner, even with the complaints of your husband and family.

I was like this.

But, the problem with this is, home and work life seem to melt together.

Cut the overwhelm that you’re feeling and get your FREE Working Smarter tips here & learn to focus on what truly important:

Without setting clear boundaries, guilt takes over

As a woman, a mother and as a teacher, we seem to have been predisposed to feel GUILT.

Guilty when we’re not working or doing ENOUGH, or just doing ALL. THE. THINGS for everyone else! (and if you’re all 3, you’re extra susceptible),

But, guilt messes with your brain. You end up feeling guilty all the time.

You might relate to these situations:

You’re working on a Sunday, planning for school and get the guilts that you SHOULD be spending time with your family or you feel fed up that you don’t have any personal time.

You’re enjoying your well-deserved weekend and having some quality time with your kids, but you feel guilty that you’re not laminating the new resource you made or prepping for the new week.

Are YOU like this too or is it just me??

This guilt can’t be good for your health or your mental well-being.

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But, if you keep focusing on what you’re not doing, or it’s not good enough or there’s not enough hours in the day – you WON’T win!

You end up spending far too many hours working… maybe to prove to yourself that you are a good enough teacher.

To be honest, teaching is one of those professions that you could work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and still feel like it wasn’t enough to get it all done.

Ultimately, you MUST realise that to be the best for your students and the job, you need to be your BEST self.

And to be your BEST self, you MUST set boundaries – even if it is difficult and might come across to to others as selfish.

SO what do healthy boundaries look like for a teacher anyway?

How to set boundaries as a teacher?

Firstly, before you start setting up your clear boundaries you’ll need to IDENTIFY what you want in life and start with these goals in mind.

Knowing what YOU want, IS CRUCIAL!! It’s your life.

ASK yourself these questions:

Do you get over tired or fatigued?

Do you feel like you could be a workaholic and continue to work unsustainable hours?

Is your health suffering in any way?

Or is your family complaining they don’t see you… or when you are at home, you’re too distracted to appreciate them?

If you’re saying ‘YES!!’ to any of these questions, IT TIMES TO SAY: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!

Now’s YOUR chance to identify what you NEED to function optimally as a teacher and woman……to be healthy, to guard your energy, have a happier life AND work smarter in your job.

If you’re a bit stuck, I’m here to help.

Here are some boundaries that I recommend to help YOU get more life-balance in your crazy teacher life.

These are the MOST important ones that made a HUGE difference in my life.

Related Article: Secrets for Work-Life Balance for Teachers

Step 1: Set non-negotiable working hours

This is a strategy I implemented at few of years ago.

By setting up some non-negotiable working hours you have a CLEARER and more DEFINED working day. This will help so the amount of hours you work, doesn’t blow out of proportion. (You know this happens!)

To do this, think about what working hours you will COMMIT to and what fits into your life. – tt may be staying at school from 7:00-4:00 pm every day or 8:00 to 5:00 pm. Whatever suit you best. But remember, after you set your hours STICK to it each and every day and it will eventually become routine.

BENEFIT: This tip has done wonders for me. Having a defined workday has made me much more focused and productive with my time. It has also put an end to the feelings of guilt because I know that after a full day at school I’ve done all I can do for the day. Plus I don’t take work home AND I can leave it at school, go home and switch off at the end of the day.

Related Article: 7 Super Easy Ways to Simplify Your Teacher Life

Step 2: Decide on work-free days

Early in my teaching career, I realized that school was taking over my life. I would spend every night and all weekend prepping for school, making new resources, lesson planning and marking etc. Like many of you do too.

To get better balance, I established days that I would NOT work.

For me, this was Friday nights and Saturdays.

Sunday afternoons and some weeknights through the busy time of term, became my time that I would do school work.

BENEFIT: Having set these work-free days will help you to SWITCH OFF and STOP thinking about school when at home – get the rest and relaxation time needed to recover and reenergize.

If you haven’t tried making work-free times for yourself, I highly recommend it.

Related Articles: Teachers – Want Work-Life Balance? Try This!

Step 3: Set a finite time for marking

How to set boundaries as a teacher - set a finite time for marking. A hand holding a small alarm clock

When you schedule-in marking time into your week, whether at school or at home, be clear on how many hours you will sit and do this grading.

Stick to it, STOP and then walk away. Don’t keep going. Set a timer on your phone to remind you to stop.

BENEFIT: You’ll find by setting a finite time for marking helps you to become more PRODUCTIVE and you’ll use your time more EFFICIENTLY, which is what you need as a busy teacher.

NOTE: If you continue to mark for hours on end, your brain will tire and your judgment might not be as consistent and reliable.

Learn to work smarter as a teacher with these helpful productivity tips:

Step 4: Schedule in breaks

When you are working, it is easy for many hours to go by before you realise it.

Instead, set a timer for say 1 hour, focus without distractions for the whole 60 minutes and then take a short break.

STAND UP, STRETCH & TAKE A WALK. Have a drink and then get back to it.

This time management approach is called the Promodoro technique and uses a timer to separate your working time into intervals (traditionally 25 minutes).

Your rest pause only needs to be 5 or 10 mins and it will help you REFRESH and ENERGIZE ready to get back on the job (don’t use this rest time to hop on a screen, as this defeats the purpose of taking a break).

BENEFIT: Taking regular breaks throughout your working day helps reduce back pain and mental fatigue needed to preserve your energy.

Related Article: 7 Easy Tips to Increase Teacher Productivity

Step 5: Release the guilt

As I’ve said already, it’s common to feel guilty when setting boundaries.

I know you’re probably are a very caring and empathetic person and don’t want to hurt other’s feelings.

BUT… if you’re honest and upfront with what YOU need, there should be no shame in that! And if others truly respect and care for you, they won’t be mad and will allow you to set the boundaries that you need for yourself.

I think that if one teacher starts to put herself first, she will show others it’s ok to do the same and you’ll lead the way for other teachers to take BETTER care of themselves.

BENEFIT: If teachers live in a more authentic way; taking care of their needs and being TRUE to themselves, you’ll become your best self and maybe the culture in schools might change for the better.

So, do your best to LET GO OF THE GUILT and stand up for yourself!

Step 6: Be clear and unapologetic

Speak BOLDLY, speak CLEARLY, and speak up without apologising!

Sometimes people won’t like it when you create new boundaries, and that’s OK. You are not here to please everyone and be everything to everybody.

You’ve got to do what’s BEST for you and your energy. Your body will thank you!

Remember AS A TEACHER, “You can’t pour from an empty cup!“

What are some examples of boundaries you can set as a teacher?

Say, “No Thank you” if you are asked to do extra supervision duties (It’s not being uncooperative, it’s for SELF PRESERVATION)
Say, “Sorry, I don’t have time for that” if you’re asked to take on extra work (remember, be clear and unapologetic and release the guilt)
Walk away from a conversation if you don’t have time for it or it becomes negative or toxic
Say, “Unfortunately I can’t make that meeting, as I have a prior engagement.“
Leave your classroom at lunchtime and take a walk to clear your head and get away from school work
Take your breaks and sit down to eat – THIS IS CRUCIAL!
Go to the toilet when you need to (ask the teacher next to your room to supervise your kids) Remember, NO guilt!
Spend time with your family on the weekend and don’t exclude yourself from special events
Know your entitlements and CLEARLY and FIRMLY stick to them.

Don’t forget to get the FREE Working Smarter Tips here, befor you go:

Last word on how to set boundaries as a teacher

I know setting boundaries can be tough, especially if it’s new to you.

It might seem to others that you are being difficult but understand – that without boundaries you won’t have the balance that you desire in your life.

It’s OK to start out slow.

It might just begin with a clear non-negotiable workday START and FINISH time. Do this until it becomes a habit and routine and then add something new, like sitting down and eating lunch without marking or reading emails etc.

Related Article: 10 Habits for Healthy Teachers + Free Printable

REMEMBER – If YOU don’t take action for yourself, who will?

YOU need to make the healthy changes in your life so that you can function optimally, protect your energy, sanity and wellbeing over your WHOLE teaching career and finally feel like you’re working smarter as a teacher.

It will be worth it!

This quote sums up the importance of setting boundaries for yourself:

“Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.”
Anna Taylor

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Michelle x

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How to Set Boundaries as a Teacher and Why it’s so Important

Why is it so important for educators to set boundaries?

It’s time to speak up for yourself!