How to Navigate Teaching in an Instagram World -

#realteachertalk teacher friends. In a world where filtered, perfect images of teachers in perfectly organized classroom seems to be the norm, being a good teacher can feel impossible. Even though we all “know” that those perfect pictures are well cropped and well staged, teaching today, especially as a new teacher, can be super overwhelming. Here are some of my favorite tips for navigating teaching in an Instagram world.

Don’t Compare- No, Really

Listen, I know it’s hard, but the first thing you need to learn is to stop comparing. Don’t compare yourself to the teachers you see on Instagram (or the teacher next door, for that matter). First, you’re seeing the tiniest snippet of their day. And, truthfully, it could totally be FAKE. It’s cropped and filtered. They most likely took 35 pictures or videos to get it perfect. Life is not filtered. Teaching is not filtered. So, please, don’t allow yourself to be brought down by what you perceive is someone’s reality.

Back Away from Your Credit Card

When you see teachers looking perfectly put together in their gorgeous classroom with amazing flexible seating options and a Congressional sized classroom library, it can make you feel less than. It can also make you feel like you need to buy more things for your classroom. But, the reality is this. It takes years and years to build up a classroom library. (And here’s how do it without spending a fortune.) You don’t need expensive classroom items to be a good teacher. And your students do NOT care if you’re wearing the cutest, trendy outfit or something from Goodwill. Truly. Stuff and clothes don’t make you a good teacher.

Good Teaching isn’t about Pretty Pictures

On the same thread, being able to take pretty pictures or make super cute posters doesn’t make you a good teacher. Good teaching takes understanding your students needs, strong pedagogical practices, and a whole lot of hard work. I’m not saying teachers on Instagram aren’t good teachers because I’m sure many are. However, just because a lesson gets thousands of likes doesn’t mean it’s a good lesson. Just because someone’s classroom looks cute doesn’t mean it’s serving the needs of the students. AND your students aren’t their students. Your students needs are different. So, even if you don’t have a perfect looking classroom, amazing handwriting, or clever bulletin boards, that doesn’t mean you’re not doing an excellent job.

Some of the Best Teachers have Zero Followers

Number of followers does not mean someone is a great teacher. Again, they might be, but I can tell you about some amazing teachers I know who aren’t on social media. Or, if they are, they only have a handful of followers. However, they are the bomb.com (did I just date myself?) and I would learn more from 20 minutes observing them than 100 instagram posts.

Ask for Help

Speaking of observing in another teacher’s classroom, do it! If you can, spend some time in other teachers’ classrooms. Veteran teachers are a wealth of knowledge. And, if you are a veteran, newer teachers are also a wealth of knowledge because they likely learned new practices in teacher college. If you can, reach out to teachers in your school when you need help, and listen to their advice. If you don’t feel like you can reach out to anyone at your school, there are fantastic teacher Facebook groups to talk with like minded teachers.

Good Teaching is Messy

And, I’m not talking “Here’s a really cute picture of me looking kind of exasperated with a caption about something that was kind of hard but ended on a bright note or with a funny cliche” messy. I’m talking, paper all over the floor, completely failed lesson, stopping to discuss why calling someone “Poopy McButtPants” is in appropriate, crying on the way home, and realizing you haven’t eaten anything all day or peed because you were working so hard, messy. Even if teachers try to “keep it real” on social media, you can’t quite capture it all. It’s a messy, hard profession. My aunt who taught for years and years used to say, “If teaching is easy, you’re doing it wrong.” Sure, every moment isn’t hard forever, but it’s a ever-changing, boundary pushing profession that asks a lot of you. So, if it’s messy and hard, it’s okay. You’re doing great.

You Have to Do the Work

Although I sell a fair amount of “no prep” resources, teaching is not a no prep job. In order to be a great teacher, you have to do the work. You need to research and learn continually because you’re working with humans who will have new and complex needs every year (honestly, every day). When something isn’t working, ask for help from a mentor, crack open some professional development books, and google it. I’m not saying you should live at school, and I’m all for self-care and mental well-being, but there will be days you have to get there early, stay late, and fall into bed totally exhausted. Those days tend to be more frequent as a new teacher, but even veteran teachers still put in the work.

Be Careful and Follow the Law

If you’re sharing parts of your teaching experience and your classroom on Instagram, be very careful. First, do not, do NOT post pictures of students. Do not post pictures and videos during contract hours. I’m not a lawyer, so I can’t give legal advice, but I’d definitely read your teaching contract carefully, and be cautious. Besides the ethical implications, you could end up in big legal trouble. (And just because someone else does it, that doesn’t make it okay.)

Follow Those Who Make You Feel Good

If every time a certain person’s post pops up on your feed and it makes you feel less than, icky, jealous, etc, that’s probably not someone you should follow. Instead, follow the teachers who make you feel good, who uplift you, and who aren’t setting unattainable expectations. (And, on this same thought, just follow account in general that make you feel happy- teaching related or not!)

Follows Those Who Challenge You

BUT, you don’t want to just create an echo chamber. In addition to the account that make you feel good, be sure to follow teachers who challenge you, cause you to think, and help you grow. I’m not talking people who simply make you feel bad because they have a million followers, they always look perfect, and their classroom looks like a Starbucks. I mean follow people who push you to think about your instruction, who open your eyes to the struggles of other people groups, who share great PD books, articles, and pedagogical ideas.

Be Yourself and Focus on Your Classroom First

Finally, when you share on social media, I urge you to be yourself as opposed to mimicking what other people do. YOU are unique and you bring a unique set of skills, perspectives, and ideas to the classroom. So, share that with the world. And, of course, focus on your classroom first. If you’re only doing something in your classroom because it will look for on Instagram, that’s probably something you should rethink. Because, ultimately, your first, only, and most important job as a teacher is to teach your students in your classroom with integrity and passion.