7 Work Goals For The New Year

With the new year around the corner comes personal resolutions or goals. Personal resolutions are important but so are work goals. It is where we spend most of our day. It’s where we develop growth or lose our sanity if not careful. So here are 7 goals you can incorporate for 2020.

 

 

 

1. Do One Thing To Stay Healthier-Make Self-Care A Priority

 

This is by far the most important one that is going to be on this list. Because we are losing our goddamn minds in this profession. I wrote about it here. Teacher Workload Is Destroying Education. We must find one Zen idea to implement. Perhaps it’s having a cup of tea throughout the workday. Or sitting outside during your lunch. Maybe it’s even actually taking lunch and not working through it. Choose whatever it is that you prefer. Finding one moment of peace throughout the workday can make all the difference.

 

 

 

2.Implement One New Skill

 

 Part of teaching is having a lot of different mandates thrown at you at once. What’s that saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” We dabble in many skills, rather than gaining expertise by focusing on one. So when I suggest “implement a new skill,” I mean really dig into one math topic or strategy. Find something that you really would like to master. Perhaps it’s a numeracy routine or some center idea you’d like to try. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Read One Career-Related or Motivational Book

 

I really don’t have to go through the benefits of reading. We’re all teachers, you get it. But there are two types of books I think benefit educators.

 

I believe motivational books are just as crucial as pedagogical ones. As educators, we can have some low points. Because of external or even internal pressure, we at times feel like we’re failing, not doing well, or not getting it right. This is common in our workplace. So having a motivational read every once in a while can lift your spirits. 

 

Professional reading is just as essential. Reading a math book could also help you with tip #2 written above. I understand that it is difficult to find the time or even the motivation to read a math book. Try making a goal of just reading one per year or quarter. If you don’t like reading, I would recommend Podcasts. You can listen to them while driving to or from work. Here are just a few I recommend:

 

  • Build Math Minds Podcast
  • Inspiring Educators Podcast
  • Making Math Moments Matter Podcast
  • Math Before Breakfast Podcast

 

 

 

4.Clean Out Your Inbox

 

There’s research that shows the benefit of making your bed in the morning. Now I haven’t seen research about organizing your inbox. Still, I’m going to assume there’s something out there about keeping your inbox tidy. Some people use their inbox as their to-do list. That’s cool. Some people have an inbox with 457 emails. When your email list compiles, it might feel overwhelming to go through them. Let’s be real, you are probably never going to go back and read email 283. So I would recommend for the new year archive your current emails if you feel the strong urge not to delete them. This gives your inbox a fresh start to the new year. 

 

 

 

5.Purge Some Physical and/or Digital Files

 

It seems everyone is going paperless. I have to admit I can’t get on the 100% paperless train just yet. I have definitely gone digital but haven’t fully reached paperless status. The new year is a great time to PURGE! Even if it starts with the top file cabinet or one google drive folder. Purging clutter is good for the soul. I promise. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.Sign Up To One Relevant Blog

 

Blogs are great. They provide you with tips, strategies, and the latest and greatest out there. I admit to being bias for this one because, of course, I would love for you to sign up for mine. However, there are plenty of other wonderful blogs out there. Here are just a few I recommend:

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Join One New Professional Network or Organization

 

So there are various ways to get support. It can be as simple as signing up for a Facebook group or a state/ national council. Everyone needs a networking plan. We all need a community to get fresh ideas, brainstorm, ask questions, or get plain support. Here are just a few Facebook groups I recommend:

 

 

Also, check out your state math organization. State and National organizations have great resources and conferences for teachers.

 

I hope these goals help lessen your stress and boost your energy for the New Year. Be sure to head on over to Zenned Math Teachers and share your experience with us.

 

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2020!

 

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Math Struggles Ain’t Just About Numbers

Let’s be B.F.F.R—math can stress kids out. You’ve seen it: the frozen-in-place stare, the pencil tapping like it’s sending an SOS, or the classic “I CAN’T DO THIS!” meltdown before even trying. But here’s the thing—most of the time, their struggle isn’t about numbers. It’s about mindset.

What if we borrowed some life coaching techniques to help our students not just survive math but actually thrive in it? Let’s break it down into simple, practical ways you can empower your students without turning into a full-blown therapist.

 Reframe the Narrative (A.K.A. Flip the Script on “I’m Bad at Math”)

Ever notice how kids say “I’m bad at math” like it’s their official personality trait? That belief is holding them back more than any tricky word problem ever could.

How to Do It:

  • When a student says, “I suck at math,” respond with: “You’re still learning. Let’s find a way that makes sense to you.”
  • Introduce the Power of Yet: “You don’t get it… yet. But your brain is working on it!”
  • Share stories of people who struggled with math and overcame it (bonus points if you can find famous athletes, musicians, or influencers).

Remind them that they once thought tying their shoes was impossible, and look at them now—shoe-tying pros. Math is just another skill that takes practice.

Teach Emotional Regulation (Because Frustration Is a Math Blocker)

We can’t expect students to push through challenges if they’re spiraling into math-induced panic mode. When frustration kicks in, their brains hit the “I’m out!” button.

How to Do It:

  • Pause & Breathe: Before jumping to the “I CAN’T,” have students take a deep breath. Try “breathe in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4.” Simple, but it works.
  • Break It Down: Instead of tackling the whole problem at once, ask, “What’s one thing we DO know?” Small wins build confidence.
  • Normalize Struggle: Post a sign in your classroom: “Mistakes Mean You’re Learning.” Say it. Live it. Believe it! As Naruto says.

Set Micro-Goals (Because Big Goals Can Feel Overwhelming)

If a kid already feels lost, telling them “just keep practicing” is like saying, “just climb this mountain real quick.” Instead, break it into steps.

How to Do It:

  • Instead of “Get better at multiplication,” set a goal like: “Practice a doubling/halving strategy.”
  • Use progress charts so students can SEE their growth. 
  • Celebrate the small wins! Even if they only got one more right than last time—that’s growth!

Remind them “If you can memorize every single lyric to that TikTok song, you can 100% remember a few math strategies.” 
Honestly research shows long term memory is activated when we leverage different modalities in our lessons. It’s how the brain learns math.

Shift from Performance to Progress (Because Speed Ain’t Everything)

Fluency is about thinking efficiently, not racing to the answer. The goal isn’t to turn kids into human calculators—it’s to help them use numbers flexibly.

How to Do It:

  • Replace timed tests with strategy-based challenges (ex: “How many ways can you solve 12 × 8?”).
  • Instead of praising fast answers, celebrate smart strategies: “Ooooh, I love how you broke that down!”
  • Remind them that even adults use tools like calculators and sticky notes—real math is about knowing how to approach problems, not just getting the answer instantly.

 Teach Self-Talk (Because Their Inner Voice Matters More Than You Know)

The way kids talk to themselves about math shapes their experience with it. If they constantly say, “I can’t do this,” their brain believes it. Time to switch up the self-talk game.

How to Do It:

  • Teach “I can” statements: Instead of “I don’t get it,” try “I don’t get it YET, but I can figure this out.”
  • Have students write down one math strength (even if it’s “I’m good at counting on my fingers” – that’s a start!).
  • Encourage students to talk to themselves like they’d talk to a friend. Would they tell a friend, “You’re dumb at math”? No? Then don’t say it to yourself either!

Emphasize- “You wouldn’t let your best friend talk trash about you, so don’t let your brain do it either!”

Coaching Math Mindsets for the Win

At the end of the day, teaching math fluency isn’t just about numbers—it’s about helping kids believe they can figure things out. When we shift from just teaching math to coaching their mindset, we create students who are not only fluent in math but confident in life.

So, here’s your challenge: What’s one small move you can try this week? Whether it’s shifting self-talk, celebrating small wins, or breaking down frustration, pick one and run with it.

Oh, and if you want more strategies like these, check out my Figuring Out Fluency series, (Book 1) (Book 2) where we make fluency engaging, empowering, and (most importantly) actually make sense.

And if you want more math mindset strategies, grab my Guide For Teachers To Help Students With Growth Mindset