The Truth About Your Teaching
Here's something not many people will tell you: Your accomplishments and achievements matter, and they are to be acknowledged and celebrated...but when you leave this Earth, it won’t ultimately matter how many letters are behind your name, how many degrees you earned, how many years of teaching experience you have, or how many workshops you have sat through.
Yes, your content knowledge, expertise, and experience are invaluable...but they are not as critical as you may think they are.
Why? Because right now, anyone can Google just about anything and get the answer in less than five minutes. Having "all the answers" is wonderful, but it's not your biggest asset as a teacher.
What many students really need right now is not just more information. They need a TRANSFORMATION. They need to first feel safe, seen, and supported, yes, and deep down, they also want to be inspired and have their passion and purpose ignited. In fact, most all human beings do. And just like most human beings, our students need to feel a sense of significance, belonging, connection, and personal power. They're just not always certain how to get it. That's where you and your magic come in. So no matter how long you’ve been teaching or how much of an expert you (justifiably) consider yourself to be, here's a big shift you can challenge yourself to make: You're not just teaching content.
You're not just teaching skills.
What you're teaching is the value of the transformation you help your students achieve. Let's not underplay this truth. You’re here to transform lives.
It's no secret that so many of us have felt so isolated, disconnected, and overwhelmed this year, which has been the inevitable result of enduring this collective global trauma. It's no different for our students, and they need you now more than ever. (And that's why your own self-care is so critical now more than ever.) So here's a question to ask yourself: what's the ultimate outcome you want to help provide for your students? And how are you planning to help them achieve that outcome? (And when I say "outcome," let's put the snazzy Pear Deck slides, Jamboards, Google docs, and SMART goals to the side for a minute.) Just close your eyes and dream. What kinds of human beings do you want your students to become? Yes, academically, but also socially, emotionally, and maybe even spiritually. What kinds of 21st century critical thinking problem solvers are you passionate about helping to nurture and cultivate?
Not sure where to start? First, remember that you are not alone. So reach out! We were never meant to do this teaching thing by ourselves. Comment below or send me a DM, and I'll hook you up with the support you need. If I can't help you, I'll direct you to someone who can.
Second, try writing down all you'd want your students to say about the impact you made on them. What would you want them to say if they were to run into you in the grocery store in a year, or five years, 10 years? What were the unforgettable benefits you delivered to their lives? Did you allow them to see themselves differently? How did they learn to value and express their special gifts in this world because of all the ways you helped them see the magic within them? This is hard work because it's heart work. And it is completely separate from all the degrees and content knowledge and experience we have. This work requires courage. This work revolves less around all you DO and has so much more to do with who you ARE.
So as we start this strange school year, which many of us are navigating in survival mode, remember that you have permission to embrace who you are.
You have permission to focus a little less on being the most effective virtual teacher or troubleshooting every possible scenario when it comes to creating a socially distanced, sanitized classroom, or having every technology tool nailed down. You are doing the best you can.
You have permission to focus less on perfection and more on the positive impact you want to make.
If nobody else tells you today, you rock.
With love, Meredith P.S. Valuing yourself and your own self-care is so important for both you and your students. You deserve a life that is filled with peace, even during this pandemic.
I hope you are finding and using tools to tend to your own self-care during this time. If you're struggling with this, and you're ready to release the overwhelming anxiety and frustration, I'm letting you know that my 3-month Self-Care Mastermind For Teachers is open for enrollment. If you'd like more details, click below to book a free coaching session to learn more. We'll talk for about 30 minutes and out a plan for you to unlock your best life as a teacher and a woman this year.
So even if you decide the mastermind isn’t for you (there are NO obligations to join when you book your free consultation), you’ll still have an action plan to move you closer to your dreams.
Can’t wait to talk with you soon... sending you virtual hugs until then. 💜💜