The Importance of Strategic Pauses for Teachers' Well-being

Book cover for 'The Power of Strategic Pauses: A Teacher's Guide to Working Smarter, Not Harder' featuring an elegant design with floral elements on a black background.

A while back, I had lunch with a colleague. Between bites and grading papers, we shared the all-too-familiar struggles of being overworked and exhausted. To top it off, it seemed like every time an admin team member walked into our classrooms, it was during those rare moments we were sitting while students worked independently. My colleague confessed she felt guilty about being “caught sitting,” worried it gave the impression she was lazy or worst, disengaged. We also laughed about our quick-witted thinking of standing up from our desk within minutes of clocking their presence, and “pivoting” to a more “performative” activity.

That conversation got me thinking: why do I sit in class? The answer is simple—I need a break! And why do I need a break? Because most days, I’ve spent time night before prepping or tweaking a lesson: which can include creating an activity guide, writing a story that contextualizes vocabulary like this one, or reading texts about a topic that I am going to teach.

A woman sitting on a couch reading a book, surrounded by plants, a steaming cup, and a cat, with the text 'It's Okay To Take a Break' in bold pink letters.

Not to mention, I arrive at school thirty minutes early to make copies, set up the room, or take care of any other needs before the bell rings. By the time class begins, I’ve already worked hours beyond my contracted time- this is the part that is always left out of the story.

When administrators walk into my classroom, they might see students engaged in group discussions, working on independent projects, or collaborating on assignments—while I grade papers or catch my breath. Here’s the reality: I can’t grade and plan deeply engaging lessons outside of school hours every single day. Something has to give. I am building up the confidence to have this conversation with administrators if asked.

I’ve talked before about the importance of building restorative pauses into our lessons. My views have certainly evolved into taking even a stronger stance. I no longer feel guilty about leveraging that extra time. When I’ve sacrificed personal time (which should not be expected) to prepare meaningful lessons, and my students are actively learning, I’ve done my job—and done it well, and that is the message I want administrators to understand. Actually, they need to focus on the students and not me! What the students are able to do with the language is a direct result of the time, quality, and richness of the curriculum the teacher has invested.

It’s time we challenge the perception that sitting down and using time productively equals slacking off. Sometimes sitting isn’t just okay; it’s necessary.

A person sitting comfortably on a green couch, wearing a red sweater, enjoying a hot drink, with a blanket draped over the couch. Text at the bottom reads 'We need to take restorative breaks'.

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