Teaching is not a career for the faint of heart. This has become abundantly clear in the last 3 years of teaching with Covid, lots of terrible educational policies in the US, and increased pressure and scrutiny. Here are 5 things that every teacher needs to hear right now.
Your job matters
Sometimes, with all of the ridiculous expectations, it can feel like you’re no longer teaching the way you want to teach. It can also feel like your passion and creativity has been squished into a tiny box. Even (maybe especially) in these times, it’s helpful to remember that your job matters. You are making a difference in the lives of children every single day. When the outside world just doesn’t get it, that doesn’t change the fact that your students’ lives are improved as a direct result of your hard work. Keep that in mind when the going gets tough.
You are doing a great job
Despite what the news and politicians might say, the majority of teachers are putting for a tremendous effort everyday to educate the next generation. I have met very few teachers who aren’t doing a great job. Most teachers, you included, are doing a fantastic job. Is every day perfect? Of course not. However, you ARE doing great.
Good enough is good enough sometimes
I think something that took me a really long time to understand as a teacher is this: most of the time, “good enough” actually IS good enough. Not every lesson is fancy and perfect, and that’s okay! Sometimes you have a rock star lesson, but the majority of teaching is showing up, doing your best, and then repeating that 180 times each school year. You don’t have to have a fancy song or cute activity every lesson. There’s no need to have an Instagram worthy lesson. (Honestly, a lot of that pomp and circumstance is just straight up fluff.)
Your mental health and family need to come first
It might be easier for me to say this as a teacher working in a country that actually values work life balance, but it’s definitely true. It’s so easy as a teacher to feel this pressure to give our all to the classroom. Of course we need to work hard, but we can’t sacrifice our mental health or our family for what is, at the end of the day, just a job. It can be hard to put your self and your family first, but it’s absolutely vital. The tricky thing is that, at least in the US, it’s not easy. We need to continue to push for legislation that supports teachers and education so the burden isn’t solely placed on teachers’ shoulders. Until then, remember that good enough IS truly good enough, don’t spend unnecessary money on your classroom, and don’t live your life at school.
Thank you
Thank you. From one teacher to another, thank you. This is the last thing every teacher needs to hear. You are in it every day, doing the work that so many can’t and won’t. There’s a big reason that the retention rate of teachers is so abysmal. This work is hard and it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re still here, you deserve a big thank you (and a pay raise, but unfortunately I can’t make that happen). So, again, thank you, teachers. You are making a difference and your work matters for our future.
So, there you have it. 5 things every teacher needs to hear.
Keep reading and learning:
- 7 Things Teachers Often Forget About Being a Student
- 10 Things to Do on Friday for an Easier Monday
- 10 Helpful Tips for Working with a Teacher Assistant
