7 Things I’ve learned In My Ten Years as an Educator

 1. Teaching is nothing like it is in the movies

Before becoming a teacher, I remember being inspired by Movies like “Freedom Writers” and “To Sir With Love”, and feeling like I could help change the world. The Hollywood spin on these situations are much more romanticized and heightened. It’s not always as simple as reading the journal of a troubled kid and showing up at his home to make him come around to graduating with honors. Sometimes it takes so much more time and effort to reach one kid, and sometimes you don’t reach the kid at all. 

2. Nothing matters more than numbers and politics

Sadly to say, most districts only care about test scores and appearances.Many administrators care only about what it looks like and if it appears that the students are learning then that is all that matters. Most teachers will bribe their students to look like they are on task when someone walks in the classroom.

3. There will be many tears in the first few years

I must have cried for four years in a row. The stress levels were so high and the expectations were unrealistic. Giant classes, long hours, and discipline and social issues left me strained and stressed out. Many teachers quit after their first three years, and I remember my advisors telling me to tough it out at least over three years. Honestly, it makes since that there were so many tears because I was so passionate and wanted change, but the lack of systems and experience left me feeling confused and hopeless. My fourth year was the year that I was able to relax a little because I had tried and true systems in place to allow me to be a more effective teacher. I also developed tougher skin and was able to put my emotions aside to get things done.

4. Impact is greater than content

I started out teaching because I loved reading, writing, and having meaningful discussions. The more I taught, the more I realized that most times there are way more important issues to combat than teaching the theme of The Glass Castle or To Kill a Mockingbird. There will be times when suicide prevention trumps comma placement and homelessness outweighs PEMDAS. Sometimes life lessons are more important than content. 

5. Self-care is a necessity

My first few years teaching were a total mess. I would always stay late after work, take tons of work home, and volunteer for countless projects all in the name of helping children and changing the world. I would work late, stay up late, and wake up to do it all over again. I was spending all of my time helping others and leaving myself out to dry. It took a ton of mental breakdowns and mentoring for me to understand that in order for me to successfully help others I had to make self-care a priority.

6. Rules are meant to be broken

My first year teaching, I wanted to be perfect. I studied my handbook from front to back. I dressed in suits and heels everyday. I made sure to remain highly professional at all times. I followed every rule and made sure my students did the same. As the years went on, I realized that Some of the rules were made to be broken. At the end of the day, all that matters is the safety, well-being, and success of the students, so many times those factors don’t align with the rules and there is nothing wrong with breaking rules as long as ethics remain strong. 

7. Lives will be changed

Over the course of my 10 years as an educator, I have taught over 20,000 students. I know that I did not directly impact all of their lives, but I know that I have helped to change the trajectory of many of their lives. I don’t know how many times I have been approached by former students when I am out in public. Honestly, most times, I don’t remember who they are, but they make it known that they remember me and that I somehow impacted their lives. Young people are so very impressionable that the smallest gesture of kindness or the slightest positive guidance can touch their lives.