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5 Words of Encouragement for Teachers

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Teaching is hard! Whether you are a first year teacher or a veteran teacher this profession has lots of challenges. But it has lots of rewards too. If you are a teacher feeling discouraged or a friend of a teacher keep reading because this post is for you. While I might not be able to change your current circumstances I hope this encouragement for teachers helps a little bit.

Five words of encouragement for teachers.

So I’ve been thinking about this post for a while. Β It all started a few weeks ago on Facebook. Β I am part of a few different groups for teachers and since school has started I’ve noticed a lot of posts that look and sound like these:

frustrated and stressed teacher

“Anyone else feeling overwhelmed?”

“I’ve never felt like a failure as much as I do this year.”

“This is my most difficult year with students.”

“Not sure I can make it through the year.”

These posts just break my heart and not because it is only September. Β These posts break my heart because it’s almost like moments, days, weeks, or years like this extinguish a little bit of that teacher passion.Β I think we’ve all been there at one time or another. Β So if this is you right now, I hope the rest of this post really encourages you.

5 Words of Encouragement for Teachers

1. Β It Takes a Special Person to be a Teacher

Not everyone can do what you do. You have special skills and talents.

No, really it does! Β Even on your worst days think about what you do. Β In just the first 5-10 minutes you take 20 (sometimes many more) children that aren’t yours and you get them to assemble in a somewhat orderly manner. Β Just that in itself is a feat. Β 

Don’t believe me – think about your significant other, neighbor, or friend who is not a teacher trying to do that. Β Many people I know would bail during that first 5-10 minutes. Β  Still don’t believe me – just ask one of those people if they would trade you jobs for just one day. Β  Most people wouldn’t even have to think about your offer. Β You are likely to hear a quick “NO!” Β Not everyone can do what you do. Β You are special and talented.

2. Β What You Are Doing Makes a Difference!

I know that it doesn’t always feel like you are making a difference. Β I know that in the day-to-day grind of teaching parts of speech or filling out the never-ending stack of paperwork, making a difference is the last thing you feel like you are doing. Β But you are! Β You are building our future one child, one day at a time. Β 

You spend more waking moments with the kids in your class than they do with their own parents. Β Yes, you teach them academics, but you teach them so much more too. Β You teach them how to be kind, caring human beings. Β You help develop their character and mold them into the people they will become. Β Have no doubt – you play a major role in creating our future. Β And if that doesn’t make a difference I don’t know what does.

3. Β Not Everything Fits Neatly into a Teaching Standard!

It’s OK! Β I’ve felt the frustration of ever-increasing state demands and the stress of “the test” that leads to sleepless nights. Β I know all too well the time constraints that are felt when there is so much to do and not enough time. Β But sometimes, it’s necessary to teach something that is not on the lesson plans. Β 

As a kindergarten teacher, much of what I taught at the beginning of the year did not fit neatly into the teaching standards. Β But you know what, it still needed to be taught. Β The legislators who drafted the standards just don’t get it sometimes. Β Someone has to teach 5 year olds how to walk in a line and why it is important and even necessary. Β Someone has to teach the kindergarteners how to sit on the carpet, listen, wait their turn, hold their pencils, use scissors safely, and how to work with others. Β Those things don’t always fit neatly into a teaching standard but are very necessary. Β If you teach 1st – 12th grades I’m sure you will agree that these are skills you like your students to have, yet someone had to teach them.

Then there are those days when a student is upset, scared, nervous, or anxious. Β Teaching a student how to express their feelings, process their feelings, and take appropriate action on their feelings just isn’t found in the teaching standards – but yet again, it is necessary. Β 

Give yourself permission to take advantage of those teachable moments even if they don’t fit into a teaching standard. Β Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get to everything that was on the lesson plans. Β More often than not, those “off the lesson plan lessons” are the most important ones.

4. Β It’s Okay to Take Time for Yourself

No – actually it’s not just okay – it’s necessary! Β For many years I felt guilty when I took even the smallest amount of time for myself. Β Most teachers I know are constantly putting others first. Β Your students, your family, other teachers – First! Β No that is not a bad thing but neither is taking some time for yourself. Β 

Take time for yourself to step away from the stress of the job.

A few years ago I got a gift certificate for a massage and realized after my one hour of “me” time that I felt amazingly different. Β It had less to do with the massage (although that was amazing) and a lot more to do with an hour that I gave myself to just rest and rejuvenate. Β After that, I made some financial sacrifices and started treating myself to a massage each month. Β It was amazing what a little hour did for my mood, motivation, and ability to help others.

About 18 months ago, I took a leap into taking even more time for myself. Β I began a journey toward a healthier lifestyle. Β It absolutely took time for me to commit to making healthy meals and working out, but each and every minute I spent doing that had a great effect. Β I lost weight and found lots of energy, energy that I now use as a better mom and teacher. Β 

You see, I learned that not only is taking time for myself okay, it actually makes me a better person. Β I only wish I would have learned this years ago! Β Does taking time for yourself have to be expensive – absolutely not. Β Find a good book and a quiet spot. Β Go for a long walk. Β Spend some time on a hobby or activity you enjoy. Β Make healthy meals. Β Exercise. Β Sing. Β Dance. Β Just do something for you!

5. Β The Beginning of the School Year Won’t Last Forever! Β Take Time to Find Your Groove!

Yes, it is definitely a tough time of the year especially if you are a new teacher, teaching a new grade level, or at a new school. Β You’ve got new students, new expectations from your administrators, and new plans for yourself. Β It’s a time that is crazy busy with preparation, and probably not enough sleep (see #4 above). Β And no – this time does not magically end after the first day of school. Β Depending on the age of your students, this period of time can last anywhere from a few days to weeks.

I distinctly remember my first year of teaching. Β I taught middle school dyslexia reading classes. Β We took a couple of days at the beginning of the year to get to know each other and the procedures for our class – then we got to work. Β 

Fast forward to my first year teaching third grade. Β By the end of the first week, I was so frustrated with myself. Β I followed the same procedures, and after a couple of days jumped into teaching and didn’t understand why my classroom procedures weren’t working. Β I felt rushed and unorganized and so did my students. Β But I just knew that I should be teaching so I rushed through everything else. Β  Big mistake! Β The best thing I did was give myself permission to go back, take time to really teach the procedures of our classroom, and not jump right into the hard-core academics. Β It made all the difference!

Fast forward a few more years to my first year teaching kindergarten. Β I knew that it was going to take a few weeks to get into the groove because I had learned that with third grade. Β In fact, I usually found that we hit our groove in third grade about week 4. Β Now picture me at week 4 highly frustrated, feeling like a complete failure and totally doubting my ability to teach kindergarten. Β We finished week 4 and we were nowhere near hitting our groove. I didn’t take into account the fact that 5 year olds, many of whom had never been in a school setting before, would need longer than 8 year olds, who needed longer than 12 year olds. Β I found myself yet again, taking a step back.

You may find that you can hit your groove faster than me and that is great. Β But the important thing to remember is to take the time you need in the beginning to build the relationships, put the procedures into place, and create a comfortable, safe learning environment. Β When you do these things, you too will hit your groove and you’ll find that the rest of the year will be smoother because of it. Β Now my beginning of the year mantra is “BABYSTEPS!” Β That’s my reminder that I need to slow down. Β A mentor teacher once told me “it pays to go slow at the beginning so you can go fast later.” Β Those words are so very true and ones that I remind myself of every year.

Are you teacher that is feeling stressed, tiredo r frustrated with the job? If so, these words of encouragement for teacher is written for you.

If you haven’t hit your groove yet, just know you are not alone. Β Allow yourself and your students the time you need to find your groove. Β It might take longer than previous years and that is okay because you have a new class, new personalities, and new needs. Β Don’t rush it. Β Nurture the process and it will pay off in the long run. Β 

If you feel like you rushed it and that is why you’re feeling a little out of control, it’s not too late to take a couple of steps back. Β The best is yet to come!

Do you have an encouraging word for a struggling teacher? Β How about an idea to help kick off the year to a great start? Β Share it in the comments. Β We can all use the encouragement at some time.

Comments

  1. Patty Rutenbar says

    This was a wonderful reminder that many of us are trying to do it all and have a perfect classroom instantly. We can't! It's a process…. It takes time. I passed this along to my staff it's so worth reading!
    Patty

  2. Sherry says

    THANK YOU! I’m super stressed about starting this year with the COVID mess.

    I am a new subscriber and your page is a lifesaver. Thanks again!

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