While I’m only in my 3rd year of teaching there are a few ideas that stick out to me as I write this.
- Be true to yourself, kids can smell a phony.
- Be reflective, there is always room for improvement!
- Surround yourself with like-minded individuals, allies.
One.
The one thing one of my best friends always told me was “be yourself.” I know it seems so simple, but he kept my head straight when it comes to classroom management, interviews, and just life in general. So I try to stay true to who I am, and what I believe. I am a professional in my classroom, but I still remain true to who I am. I am goofy, sarcastic, hard working, and diligent. I aim to keep my students accountable, I care about them, I joke with them, I demand they always try their hardest. Teachers establish their own teaching style, and I’ve found that mine is reflective of my personality. My goal is to encourage learning for all of my students and create an environment where that can take place. Children, any age, can smell bullshit. Be true to yourself, and what you believe. It will work wonders in your classroom.
Two.
There are moments where I feel good about my lessons and my teaching, but there are other times where I feel challenged. Regardless, if I had an awesome lesson or an okay one, I try to be reflective. How could I improve it? What do I see differently from this class to another? It is necessary to be reflective on your teaching and always strive to improve. I’ve found this to be a huge asset for my other lessons and teaching. This is what makes for a great teacher.
Three.
Finding other people that are like-minded or trustworthy is one of the most important ways to survive such a crazy profession. I am fortunate enough to work with many people who have my back, let me vent, and help me build my ideas. There are others I work with who seem to only focus on the negative. I try to avoid those people for my own sanity. However, the best thing I did was find people that I trust and have my back. I have other support systems outside of work, and these are equally important. This small step of self-care makes a huge difference whether you are seeking out a friend to tell them you had a bad day or when one of your students had that “ah-ha” moment. These people are invaluable because there are moments when teaching (or life in general) is hard. Find these people, love these people, and take care of yourself.
These three ideas have helped me to survive thus far, and they are the foundation of what teaching is all about. All my life experiences have led me to the place I am now, and I couldn’t handle all the ups and downs if it weren’t for these three solid ideas. I use my support systems, reflect on my abilities, and stay true to myself in teaching and everyday life.
ECLInstitute - HVWP 2019-2020 