Hey, new teacher here! I’m not a morning person, but I’ve been trying to get into a 6:30 AM routine. What do you do to get yourself pumped up in the morning? I love teaching, but sometimes I just need a little extra energy boost.

I've found that a quick workout can really wake me up. Even just 10 minutes of stretching or yoga can make a big difference. Plus, it helps me feel more energized throughout the day.

I walk my dog every morning. If you have something you get up to do that isn’t work related, it helps. So don’t get up to go to work. Get up to squeeze in some reading. Or journaling. Or yoga. Or running.

Coffee....lots and lots of coffee is what helps me wake up in the morning haha. I usually do a workout first thing, shower, and then have my coffee while getting ready for the day. I am not a morning person either but I will say that it has gotten easier for me to get up early now that I am in a good routine.

I try to take a walk every morning. I no longer have a dog to walk, but unless the weather is horrific I try to get out and get some air early in the morning. Fresh air in my lungs seems to give me the best beginning of the day.

I love to take my time with a nice cup of protein coffee and my cinnamon and raisin toast. I usually read or listen to an audio book while I am having my breakfast.

Not being a morning person has affected me my whole life. I’ve learned over the years and when I decided to be a teacher at 52, it wasn’t as bad of an adjustment. I’m not one to leave my house in the morning for anything but my mad dash to work which takes 23 minutes. Digging into the why, I realize that I like to stay up too late and I dread the chore of getting ready (shower, dry hair, makeup, picking out clothes…) Try to figure out your, “Why.” I’ve found ways to help me go to sleep earlier and sleep better (no meds). Letting myself get up to coffee first and sit and read news, puzzle, listen to podcasts or update my lists, motivates me to get up. Doing as much as possible the night before (choose full outfit, make lunch, pack up anything, etc.) really helps. I’ve made it so it only takes me 25 minutes to go from tousled hair and pjs to getting ready to walk out the door (shower/dry >10, hair/makeup >8, get dressed >5, and >2 to gather things and alarm the house. I’ve reduced the amount of makeup I wear, partially dry my hair and pull it back, and literally have everything laid out and ready to go in the same sequence each day. I manage to get to work within 5 minutes of contract time each day but I stay at least an hour or two after contract time daily. I dream of arriving super early and leaving on time but I don’t know if it’s possible for me…
I hope this helps!

Walk for abt 30 minutes and a loaded tea on the way to school

Buy yourself small breakfast goodies that you love (I.e. chocolate chip pancakes in the freezer section, breakfast sandwiches and bars) or fix a goodie bag for snack and set it on the counter to take to school so you look forward to something to get up for. You might also pick up some new accessories or top, etc to wear something you know compliments are coming f for Anything you wear new. I make my coffee at school so that gets me up and going!

Ipersinally have to get up around 5:00 A.M, to feel more relaxed and ready for the day. I like my time by myself before everyone gets up.

OP, so now that we are weeks into the new year, how is it going? I hope you have a good mentor, if not ask your Principal if you can be paired with a veteran teacher.