Did you know that over 40% of new teachers leave the profession within the first five years? The secret to longevity in teaching is having the right tools in your survival kit. There are many survival strategies for teachers. Here are the three I believe are the most important.
#3 Do Not Tolerate Disrespect
You are not the punching bag for everyone that is upset. Do not argue with them. You must find your voice and be able to say in a professional way how the conversation will go. Remember, when people are attacking, it is not about you, it is not personal. Yes, it feels personal and it is upsetting. The truth is they are doing whatever it takes to get their way. They are having a temper tantrum. You do not have to be the recipient of their temper tantrum. But that requires thoughtfulness on your behalf. Set the tone for all your meetings. When that meeting goes awry stop it right then. Restate the purpose of the meeting. Restate the expectations of communication. If the parent or student persists, bring in a second person. But always remember it is not about you, do not take it personally. I want to encourage you to practice your elevator speech, so it becomes innate.
#2 Find a Teacher Partner or Buddy
They do not have to be on your campus. They can live in a different city or state. Your teacher buddy is your sounding board and a thought partner. When you have another teacher that you can connect with, you realize you are not in the boat alone. You can bounce ideas off each other. You can cry together. You can laugh together. Your teacher partner can also tell you when you are right and when you are way off base. Find a teaching partner, make it a priority.
#1 Put the oxygen mask on first
Take care of yourself first. Take time to eat well, to exercise, to be mindful. I am not talking about jogging 10 miles a day or eating salad all day. Take a few minutes every day to self-reflect and have quiet time with yourself. During lunch time, stop and have a nice lunch. Whether you choose to eat or read a good book, take the time for yourself. That is not the time to grade papers, complete reports, or other administrative duties. Your health and well-being are vital to you, your family, and the teaching profession. Finding balance is crucial.
Remember You Are Important
Teaching is a noble profession. All doctors, lawyers, politicians, plumbers, electricians, computer programmers, etc. had to be taught. They all had teachers. They were not born doing the things they do. You, the teacher, are a critical person in the classroom. You set the tone for learning, you set the tone for behavior, and you set the tone for student success. Students need a teacher. Human to human interaction is vital to societal success. Technology alone is not enough. The teaching profession needs you, wants you, and values you. Take care of yourself, put your oxygen mask on first. May you always enjoy the journey of teaching.
What are some self-care tips you can share with fellow teachers?