Helping Teachers Recharge

Over the past few months, we have heard from many of our educator partners across the country and have been incredibly inspired by the perseverance they have shown throughout this difficult time. In the truest sense, they have become innovators who have overcome unprecedented challenges through creativity and hard work.

To show how thankful we are for the amazing work teachers continue to do each day, the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® (NIHF) is proud to announce our Campsgiving sweepstakes!

R&R Has a New R

To help teachers rest, relax and recharge, from November 10^th to the 20^th, NIHF will be randomly selecting five educator partners to win $100 Visa Gift Cards! These funds, which can be used however each winner would like, are a small way to say “thank you” to educators for their patience, commitment and strength during these difficult times.

As you continue to overcome whatever this academic year throws at you, we’ve compiled a few tips to help you recharge.

Three Ways to Recharge This School Year
 

1. Avoid multitasking

While it may intuitively seem like doing more things at once can help you get more done, research suggests that not only can it decrease productivity by as much as 40%, but that constantly switching from one task to another can impair cognitive ability and increase stress. Instead, try focusing on one task until it’s completed, and then move on to the next one. This “single-tasking” strategy significantly cuts down on distractions, and when it is time to have some fun, it can make recreational activities more enjoyable as well.


2. Reduce screen time

Though it can be difficult to do because we have become so attached to our smartphones, taking extended breaks from reading the news and checking social media is a great way to recharge your energy and reduce your anxiety. Additionally, reducing screen time, especially at night, lowers your exposure to the blue light emitted from your screens. Research has shown that exposure to blue light at night affects your body’s circadian rhythm and negatively impacts your sleep.


3. Celebrate small wins

There’s no sugarcoating it — these are difficult times. This year has brought sudden changes and staggering losses that have impacted all of us. Under these conditions, it’s crucial to celebrate personal victories whenever possible. In an article published in Psychology Today, Stephen Sobel, a clinical instructor at U.C. San Diego School of Medicine suggests that educators celebrate student successes and professional triumphs alike. Teaching under these conditions is hard and doing your best to focus on the positive things in your life can help you to keep going.

Our National Inventors Hall of Fame^® (NIHF) Inductees have also taken notice of teachers’ amazing work and have recorded a special message thanking teachers for the incredible dedication they have shown throughout this school year.

Recharge with Camp Invention and Campsgiving

We hope the above ideas help you to feel recharged. When you are in a position to plan for next summer, our newest Camp Invention^® program, Recharge, is ready to help make the season one to look forward to. Featuring four engaging modules packed with hands-on, interactive materials that can be implemented equally well in an in-person or virtual setting, this program is intentionally designed to adapt to today’s unpredictable environment. Additionally, Recharge includes embedded professional development that can help you bring an extra dose of excitement into your classroom.

Click here to read a full description of our Campsgiving sweepstakes.