Pick Your Pep Talk

Dear Teacher,

To quote one of my new personal heroes, Kid President, “I think we all need a pep talk.”

I was thinking about what to write this morning, I realized how tired I was and not ready for the day.  I need a pep talk.  And if I need one, you probably need one.  So, I will pep talk myself and you at the same time.

Because I do not know where you are or what you may be going through and need right now, I am going give a bunch of pep mini-talks.  Figure out which one you need, and run with it.  It is choose-your-own-pep-talk-adventure day.  🙂

Bad Week at School (there are three main possible bad kind of weeks…pick the pep talk you need):

• Teacher, you know it does get better.  Another day is always around the corner.  Things will pick up.  You will pick things up.  You are good like that.  Why not pick things up today.  Be the change your week needs.  Control the things you can control, be awesome at them, and let everything else go.  Bad weeks are not forever.  Turn this week around and look for the good.  You can do it.  You know you can.  You are awesome, so make the rest of the week awesome.  Be the awesome.
• Teacher, your students love you.  You know that they do.  It may not seem like it after the week you have had, but they do love you.  Be patient.  Be understanding.  Be awesome to them.  They will awesome you back.  I promise.  Pick a couple that need extra patience and care…give them that patience and care, and they may turn and influence the rest of your students!  It gets better.  It will get better.  Just wait for the better and do not give up.
• Teacher, administration is just doing their job.  Even if things seem over the top, just do what you do best.  Focus on your kids.  Let every choice you make be traced back to what is best for your students.  Things will usually pan out in your favor if you do.  You are great at your job.  You are awesome!  Do not stress out.  Do not let the pressure make you think less of yourself.  Keep on being the best teacher you can be.  Take the criticism and let it make you better.  If it is undeserved, then find a way to move past it.  I know you can.  You are awesome.  Remember, whatever it is, it will soon pass…or at least pass eventually!  Keep teaching, Teacher.  Keep pressing on!

Issues Outside of School (pick the one you need):

• Teacher, you have a job to do.  I know it is hard, but find a way to leave what is heavy on your mind and heart at the doorway of your classroom.  Love your kids.  Turn your stress and pressure into a motivation to show your students how much you care.  Slow down at school.  Enjoy what you love doing: teaching.  You are a teacher because you love it.  Love what you do and let that help you relieve some of that outside stress.  You can leave all of that until the afternoon.  You are awesome.  You are a professional.  Push through that personal pain and be the awesome teacher that you are!  Let your students love you through whatever it is.
• Teacher, you are not on your own.  You are surrounded by teachers that understand.  Talk to someone you trust.  Let them help you carry your burden.  If you need some time to yourself today, find someone to help you work that out.  Your fellow teachers understand.  We have all had those times.  Do not carry this alone if you do not have to.  When life gets to be too much, you can not let that affect your relationship with your students.  Find someone to help.  Help is out there and ready.  You are not alone!

Summer Time Teacher (I can’t address everything, but hopefully you can find something to apply):

• Teacher, you are on a break, but you are still a teacher.  Relax, but do not get lazy.  Get something ready for next year.  Work on something today.  Find something cool you can do in the coming year.  Read a book or search for one to start.  Don’t forget who you are on the inside…a teacher.  Research, talk to other teachers, brainstorm…do something!  You are awesome and I know you will think about teaching in some way…and that is one of those reasons you are a great teacher!
• Teacher, STOP working.  Take a break.  Next year will get here soon enough.  Spend time with your friends and family.  Play with your kids, if you have them.  Spend time with your significant other, if you have one.  See some friends.  Do something that is not school related.  As a matter of fact, do not think about school at all.  You are an awesome teacher, but take a break!  You do not have to be Teacher of the Year over the summer.  Relax and recharge for next year.  Your students need you to!

Okay, I know I have not addressed everything.  I hope I wrote something that helps you!  You are awesome, Teacher!  You are believed in!  You are cared for!  Go out and do something awesome today!

Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

For more hope and encouragement: @DearTeacherLT (Twitter) and Dear Teacher/Love Teacher Facebook Page.