The start of a new year always brings a sense of renewal and reflection. For many of us teachers, it’s a perfect time to pause, reassess, and set intentions that support both personal well-being and professional growth. This year, the focus is on balance, organization, and continuous learning which is all essential for creating a thriving classroom environment. And over this winter break I have been doing a lot of thinking about how I want to grow. Things I want to keep the same, or change, or imporve upon. In todays blog post I want to go over a few of the 2026 new years goals I have come up with. If any of these hit with you, feel free to use them in your own practice.

Finding Balance in Saying No

Teaching often comes with endless opportunities to help, volunteer, or take on extra responsibilities. While these can be rewarding, they can also lead to burnout. Learning to say no is not about refusing to help; it’s about protecting time and energy to be fully present for students and oneself. Setting boundaries allows for better focus on what truly matters, meaningful teaching and sustainable energy throughout the year. And I have noticed this in my own teaching practice. I have always been the one to say yes when some asks me to help with something, which has always lead to me feeling burnt out. So my goal is to find the right balance of what I need to do for my job and figurin out if I can say yes to help, or if I need to say no to protect my peace and get what I need done.

Balance is everything!

Find that balance!

A Tidy Desk and Classroom Every Friday

A cluttered space often leads to a cluttered mind. And I like to think that my desk just matches my brain. But I have also realized that I work better in clean and organized areas. So the goal of tidying my desk and classroom every Friday is simple but powerful. Ending the week with an organized space creates a sense of calm and readiness for the week ahead. Walking into a clean, organized classroom on Monday morning sets a positive tone and helps maintain focus on teaching rather than tidying.

Make it stand out

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Organizing Resources

Over time, teachers accumulate countless resources — lesson plans, visuals, worksheets, and digital materials. While these are valuable, they can become overwhelming when not organized. This year’s resolution is to create a system for storing and labeling resources so they’re easy to find when needed. A well-organized resource library saves time, reduces stress, and ensures that great materials don’t get lost in the shuffle.

Learning One New Evidence-Based Strategy and Integrating More UDL Principles into Lesson Planning for Supporting Students with Complex Needs

Every student deserves access to strategies that help them succeed. And I feel I use a fair aount of best practices, however I want to keep growing as a teacher. So for 2026, I will be committing to learning one new evidence-based approach for supporting students with complex needs. This ensures continuous improvement in teaching practice. Whether it’s a new communication technique, sensory support, or instructional method, each new strategy adds to the toolkit for creating inclusive and effective learning experiences. And also this will allow me to share those practices that work with my collegues.

This also means to improve incorporating more Universal Design for Learning (UDL) into my lessons and lessons. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides a framework for designing lessons that meet the diverse needs of all learners. By intentionally integrating more UDL principles, lessons become more accessible, engaging, and flexible. This approach not only benefits students with additional needs but enhances learning for everyone in the classroom.

Attending a Professional Development Workshop on Inclusion or Assistive Technology

I LOVE CONFERENCES! Professional development is a cornerstone of growth. Attending at least one workshop and/or conference focused on inclusion or assistive technology offers fresh insights and practical tools to bring back to the classroom. These experiences foster collaboration, spark creativity, and strengthen the ability to support all learners effectively. October of 2024 I went to an Autism in Deaf education conference and I learned to much. I use many of the strategies I have learned from that conference in my classrrom.

Updating Classroom Visuals and AAC Supports

Visuals and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) supports are essential for accessibility and communication. Updating these tools to reflect current best practices ensures that students have the most effective supports available. I believe that having a way to communicate, reduces behavior, and helps students improve in their learning. As a visual learner, maintaining clear, updated visuals benefits both teacher and students, creating a more inclusive and communicative environment.

Moving Forward with Purpose

These resolutions are not about perfection but progress. By focusing on balance, organization, and continuous learning, the year ahead can be one of renewed energy and deeper impact. Each small step, from saying no when necessary to updating visuals, contributes to a more effective, inclusive, and joyful teaching experience.

New Year’s Resolutions as a Teacher: Finding Balance and Growth

Blog Post Title Four