Protect One Prep Minute

Wellness Quick tips for Teachers
Written by Cynthia Skyers-Gordon

How to Use the Activity

Choose a small portion of your planning or preparation time that you will protect from nonessential interruptions.

It could be:

• Five uninterrupted minutes to organize tomorrow's materials.
• Five minutes to review your lesson plans.
• Five minutes to complete documentation.
• Five minutes to sit quietly and organize your thoughts.

During that time, resist adding another non-urgent responsibility.

Why This Matters

Teacher preparation time can quickly disappear into unexpected requests and additional responsibilities. Protecting even a small portion of that time reinforces that planning time has value and that educators do not have to surrender every available minute to something else.

Closing Reflection

“My time has value, even when someone else could use it.”

#TeacherWellness #PlanningTime #KidzExecExcellence #TeacherBoundaries #EducatorWellbeing #TeacherSupport #EducatorCare #WorkplaceWellness #TeacherTime #EarlyChildhoodEducators

 

Cynthia Skyers-Gordon

Dr. Cynthia Skyers-Gordon, Ed.D. is the founder of SILWELL-C (Staff-Inspired Leadership for Wellness and Calm), a wellness initiative created to empower educators, leaders, and teams to thrive from within. With more than 33 years of experience in early childhood education, from assistant teacher to director to Education Coordinator, Dr. Skyers-Gordon understands the challenges and opportunities staff face each day.

SILWELL-C was born from her belief that true wellness in schools starts with the staff themselves. By providing calm leadership strategies, practical tools, affirmations, and inspiration, SILWELL-C equips educators and leaders to create supportive, balanced environments where both staff and children can flourish.

Through workshops, consultations, and creative resources, Dr. Skyers-Gordon combines her in-depth expertise with a passion for cultivating resilience, connection, and calm in every space. Whether it’s through her upcoming Wellness Toolkit, the JamBel Storybook, or the Free Wellness Hub, she continues to design practical ways for educators and leaders to sustain their own wellness while inspiring others.

At its core, SILWELL-C is more than a program; it’s a movement: a reminder that when staff lead with wellness, schools grow with strength, calm, and confidence.

https://www.silwellc.com
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