Why SLEEP is Your Teaching SUPERPOWER (And How to Get More of It)

By Mary Saylor M.Ed.

Let’s get straight to it—if you just want this month’s freebie, grab this month's 👉 TEACHER FREEBIE— a set of customizable email templates to make communication so much easier this school year.

Now, here's why I created it. 

On a scale from 1 to “How am I still standing?” — how tired are you?

If you're like me, you're hovering somewhere around a 37 right now. 😅

Between the back-to-school chaos, the lingering fall crud, and the elusive dream of actually settling into a routine before… oh, I don’t know, July — teacher tired hits HARD this time of year.

That’s why I’m inviting you to join me in this month’s TenX Teacher Challenge:

✨ The September Sleep Challenge

Here's how it works:
✔️ Commit to getting more sleep this month.
✔️ Choose one healthy sleep habit to practice daily.
✔️ Invite an accountability buddy and check in on each other.

Because here’s the truth:
Teaching is always challenging.
But teaching on an empty tank? Nearly impossible.

As a recovering insomniac, I know firsthand — my worst classroom days weren’t because I forgot a lesson plan… they were because I had zero emotional bandwidth left. The kind of depletion that leads to tears in the prep room and snapping at students you genuinely love.

So here are two things that changed the game for me:

1. Create a Sleep-Friendly Zone 😴

• Your brain needs a calm, quiet place to shut down.
• Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and screen-free.
• Add blackout curtains.
• Try a white noise machine.

Trust me — a well-rested teacher is a teacher who can lead with strength and clarity.

2. Prevent Conflict = Sleep Easier 💬

You know those arguments that play on a loop in your head and keep you up all night? (No? Just me?)
The fastest way to avoid that spiral is to prevent the conflict in the first place.

Here’s how:
      👉 Set clear expectations — with students and parents.
      👉 Communicate early and often.
      👉 Have those tough convos before they explode.
      👉 Use tools that make communication smoother and less stressful.

Which brings me to this month’s free resource...

💌 The Parent Contact Bundle

Five ready-to-use, editable templates to help you:

• Celebrate student wins
• Send progress updates
• Prep for conferences
• Communicate clearly and consistently with families

Whether you're sharing praise or addressing concerns, these templates help you stay proactive and positive — and they might just help you sleep a little easier, too.

Grab your free Parent Contact Bundle RIGHT HERE and let’s turn that teacher tired into teacher thriving.

You've got this!

 --Mary

Photo Credits: 

• Josefa Diaz on Unsplash
• Matthew Henry on Unsplash