Hope for Teachers – Page 7 – Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Pep Talk

Superheroes and Alter-Egos

Posted on November 20, 2013November 20, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Can you tell that I am in that stage of the teacher-cycle where you feel overwhelmed by the impossibilities that plague us? I know that we all go through that. It is normal. Even so, it does not make it any easier.

Teachers are asked to do what can’t always be done. We try and we don’t give up, but impossible odds are impossible odds…if you ask one group of people to face them alone, at least. It feels like that for us a lot, if we admit it. We are asked to do things that we can’t do alone…and it gets tiresome and lonely.

Just the weekend I read an article in which yet another societal woe was blamed on the education system and how we are not doing enough to help the next generation make better choices. I had a training this week that puts another of the major issues for adolescents on the shoulders of educators. I feel the burdens of the school life, home life, and future life of my students more and more everyday. I, and all other teachers, are put in front of major foe after major foe day in, day out, week after week, month, and year.

It hit me this morning. The reason I am so tired is very clear. I know why “overwhelmed” does not even to begin to describe what we feel sometimes.

We are being asked to be superheroes.

We are commissioned to save the world.

We are tasked with saving and rebuilding the future.

We are given the job of fighting all of the societal and cultural super-villains that threaten our world.

Of course we are tired!

The theme of this post, though, is not to bemoan and complain about this role. We knew what we were being asked to do when we accepted the job and put on the uniform. This is not news. We got into this to change the world.

It is just tiring work. It is hard. It seems impossible. Sometimes the problems seems so big and we seem so small.

I have always been drawn to superheroes and in the idea of them. I love the ones who were not born with the “superhero” in them, but had the ability and role thrust upon them. I love to see the struggle between who they were and the superhero that they have become.

Peter Parker was just a teenager/young adult when be became Spiderman. Sue Storm and the other Fantastic Four were just scientists when they got their powers and started fighting crime. The story is the same for Bruce Banner when he became “Hulk.” Bruce Wayne may have been super-rich, but he was just a man when he took on the role of savior of Gotham (I actually think, outside of the money thing, that Batman is more along the lines of what teachers do, but that is another post for another day).

I say all of this to say that there are two sides to most of the superheroes in comic books (graphic novels) and movies. They have alter-egos. They have someone who they are when they are not fighting crime and the world’s woes.

Teachers are the same. We can’t always be “on.” Even throughout the school day, we sometimes need to take of the mask and breathe a minute. We need to take a little break from the super-villains every once in a while and remember that we are people, too.

The “bad guys” will always be there. We will always be asked to fight them. BUT DON’T BE AFRAID TO LET YOUR GUARD DOWN. It is okay to remember that you are weak.

Take a minute and remember who you are in the mirror. Take a break. Take a breath. Ask for help if you need it.

You can’t always be “super” even if you want to be. You are a person and a teacher. Don’t be ashamed of that. Remember who you were before you became a world-saving-crime-fighter. It is okay.

It is okay to be your alter-ego, Super Teacher. You are both people. Don’t fear your weaknesses. Acknowledge them. Work through them. Be who you are along with the hero.

Take a breather every once in a while and then get back to fighting. It is okay. The battle will always wait for you. Don’t worry about that!

You are awesome! You are a hero. You are a superhero. Your students do need you…but you need you, too. Your family, friends, and non-school life need you. Don’t wear yourself out. Remember your alter-ego and save time for that other side of you! You are so amazing. Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Pep Talk

Goodness No!!

Posted on November 15, 2013November 15, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Today I want to talk about Pete the Cat (a character in children’s books).

I teach sixth grade, and I know how this post will look to those who teach middle and high school. Just bare with me, though! I think the message is a good one. Please keep reading! 🙂

I have a four, almost five, year-old son. He is in 4k. I have been opened up to a whole new world. A world filled with play-learn stations, camp songs, and kids’ books. It has been a fun experience. I never thought it would be life changing.

Last week, I overheard my son being read to by his Nana. I wasn’t really paying attention until my son blurts out, “GOODNESS NO!” The way he said it cracked me up, so I listened in. It turned out to be a great little lesson for me, as a teacher (or human, for that matter). I read, reread, and read this book to my son since this, and we are often found saying, “Goodness no!” to each other throughout the day.

I thought it would be a great story to share, especially on Friday when most of us reflect on the week. Give a watch and listen, and the read on.

Did Pete cry? Goodness no!

I love that! I really do!

Okay, now that the story is over, what does this have to do with teaching?

We so very often get wrapped up in the “stuff” of teaching. Our lesson plans. Our classroom management. Our pacing. Our observations. Our teammate. Our administrators. Our classroom materials. Our pride in teaching. Our students’ test results. Our _______________…you fill in the rest.

When we get wrapped up in all of this and something goes wrong, it is so easy to fall into a “freak out” cycle. We may not cry, but our blood pressure rises. Our stress headaches start. Our patience flat-lines. We start to drop other things that matter because we lost something that has had an elevated priority for us. We slowly spiral out of control.

We can regain composure and get moving again. But then when something else goes awry, the cycle starts again. An easier way to say what the cycle is to say that we “cry.” Even if there is no tears.

This is, unfortunately, the norm for teachers. Talk to anyone for a while and you will see that we all have our “buttons” that make us “cry” when we lose them. We all have things that have become our focus that are important, don’t get me wrong, but still they are misplaced priorities. We have let ourselves lose focus (which is sounding like a theme for me here the last couple of weeks).

There are some teachers, though, that are more like Pete the Cat. Even-keeled. Stuff does not seem to bother them. AND they are reaching and teaching students like a champ.

What is their secret?

Do they “cry” when they lose their “buttons?”

GOODNESS NO!

They know that the classroom “stuff” will come and it will go.

They keep on singing their song.

And what is their song about?

Their students.

I have said this a lot lately, but no matter how many times it is said it is never less true. Students are our goal. Who they are and what they need. This determines everything for us. They are who we are there for. They are more than “buttons.” They are the reason for teaching.

So, do we need to cry?

Goodness no!

The other stuff will come and it will go.

The students are our song and we can keep on singing no matter what.

Simplistic? Easier said than lived out? Works on paper and hard in reality? Probably so. That does not mean it is not true. That does not mean it is not possible.

You can be “Pete the Cat.”

Keep on singing!

As you look back on the week, what buttons were lost? Do they matter in the grand scheme of things? Are you able to keep singing your student song?

You are awesome. You are Pete the Cat. Let those buttons go. They will come and they will go. Keep on singing, Teacher, and keep on teaching!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Get Psyched!, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers

Alive (on Monday)

Posted on November 11, 2013August 16, 2015 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Another Monday. Another week. Are you ready? Are you pumped? Are you beat-up? Are you dragging? Are you somewhere in between?

Let’s see if there is a theme song that will cover wherever you may be on the spectrum. Click play and read on!

It’s Monday. That could mean a lot of things to you.

If you are in the “up” side of the teaching roller-coaster, you are excited, amped up, and ready to go.

If you are in the “down” of the teaching ride, you are tired, worn-out, and scrambling to make sure that you have it all together.

If you are at the “top” of the hill, you have been up early just chomping at the bit to get back to school and your students today.

If you are at the “bottom” of the hill, you have probably slept in and wondering if you have enough sick days to cash one in today.

No matter where you are…which is probably somewhere between one of the stages listed…you are a teacher. Remember what that means!

You get to do what no one else gets to do, and you are good at it (no matter what anyone says)!

You get to teach!
You get to help students learn about the world!
You get to see the “aha” moments.
You get to see students learn.
You get to see them learn how to learn for themselves and by themselves.
You get to see students become better readers.
You get to see them become better writers.
You get to see them become better people.
You get to see them become the better people that will better the world and better the future.

You get to do what no one else gets to do! You are a teacher! You teach! And you are good at it!

Teacher, look up! You are alive! You are a teacher! Teach like you mean it today!

Shake off those things that bring you down. Shrug off what people say that doesn’t line up with what you know about your students and yourself. Learn from reflections and observations, and let those things make you better.

Focus on the students, focus on the students, focus on your students! (I can’t say that enough!) Be encouraged by something…find the positive in the things that want to drag you down. Find what is great about every student, and try to bring it out!

Look around at the great teachers around you and remember you are a champion among champions! Teach what the students need you to teach. Teach in a way that students can learn and learn for themselves.

Be alive today.

Smile more.
Give high-fives.
Spread encouragement to others.
Breathe.
Let today be awesome.
Let this week be awesome.
Be awesome.

You are awesome!

This is your week.

Make this week yours.

You are amazing!

Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Picture Note, Poster/Graphic, Reflection

Well Done!

Posted on November 9, 2013November 9, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Same message as yesterday and last weekend…don’t forget to see the good and positive along with the “needs work” areas as you reflect on the week. You had some awesome in you this week and do did your students. Don’t forget to celebrate and take a little bow. You deserve to and have earned it! You rock because you are awesome! Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Share this encouragement with another teacher. He or she deserves it, too!

Love, Teacher

Friday Note, General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Pep Talk

Friday (it’s okay to smile)

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

It sounds like, from the feedback I have gotten, that this week has been a rough one for most of us. Too many things to do. Too many obstacles to overcome. Too many problems to solve.

You are worn out.

You are beat up.

You are spent

And now it is Friday.

A smile is deserved. Go ahead and do it! You know you want to. 🙂

No matter what happened this week. No matter what you were told. No matter where you messed up. No matter what, there was some “up” for all of the downs this week. Look back and find it and then celebrate it!

You were able to get some things accomplished. Celebrate.

You were able to get some light bulbs to turn on with students. Celebrate.

You were able to connect with some students in new ways. Celebrate.

You were able to get some traction on the content you are teaching. Celebrate.

You were able to get students to learn a little more on their own. Celebrate.

You made a difference with at least a student or two. You helped a fellow teacher feel encouraged. You made someone’s day brighter. You did something for someone they could not do on their own. Celebrate. Celebrate. Celebrate.

Do go back and see what did not work and what you need to work on. That is important. Just don’t forget to celebrate and smile for what you did right. That is equally important.

You got to Friday. Smile. Celebrate. It is okay. You have earned it!

You are awesome! I know that you see what needs improvement. Just remember that you also do somethings well. You are amazing and you are making a difference. Keep on teaching, Teacher, and keep on celebrating the good!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Pep Talk, Perseverance, Picture Note

The Long, Hard Road

Posted on November 6, 2013November 6, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Two words: Keep going!

It is Wednesday. Keep going.

You are feeling burned out. Keep going.

You don’t feel supported. Keep going.

You are lost in your content. Keep going.

You have too much to do. Keep going.

You have some difficult students. Keep going.

You have things going on at home. Keep going.

You have issues at your school. Keep going.

You are not getting along with coworkers. Keep going.

You are tired. Keep going.

You are beat up. Keep going.

You are hurt. Keep going.

You are emotionally spent. Keep going.

You are out of ideas. Keep going.

You have too many students to get to each one every day. Keep going.

You want to give up. Keep going.

Keep going.

Your students are so close to breakthroughs. Keep going!

Your students look to you as their only hope in the day. Keep going!

Your students need your consistency. Keep going!

Your students are learning to learn on their own. Keep going!

Your students are having more and more “aha” moments every day. Keep going!

Your students are figure things out. Keep going!

Your students are learning. Keep going!

You are who they need and need you to be. Keep going!

Keep going!

The road is long. The road is hard. Keep going.

There are thorns. There are rocks. There are hills. There are mountains. Keep going.

The end is far and your strength is almost gone. Keep going.

You will make it. You can get there. Keep going!

Teacher, don’t give up.

Keep going!

You are awesome. You can do this. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Keep on teaching, Teacher, and keep going!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Video Note

Tuesday Reminder…

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Today is Tuesday. You are back into the grind of another week. Tuesdays can be hard. If it is a rough, long day, it is really rough and long because the end of the week is still so very far away!

I hope today is not one of those days for you. As a matter of fact, don’t let it be. Take charge of this Tuesday. Make it yours! Don’t let stress and worries drag it down and away from you. Keep finding the positive. Keep remembering your goal (your students) and keep moving towards it.

Find a way to work with difficult students.
Check some things off of your “to-do” list.
Clean a pile or two off of your desk.
Get engagement from your students, no matter what it takes.
Get some student to connect “A” to “B”…and do so on their own.
Have a breakthrough with a student.
Try a new strategy.
Master an old tried strategy.
Make students know they are smart.
Give a hug or two.
Write some notes to make people feel awesome.
Give lots and lots of high-fives.
Look in the mirror and remind yourself of your awesome.
Put some non-priorities on the back burner.
Focus, focus, focus on students and what they need.
Help students get just a little better at learning on their own.
Do something.
Help someone.
Be awesome.

Today is Tuesday. It is your day. Make it yours. Don’ let it slip away!

Here is my second attempt at an encouraging and/or motivational video. I like this one a lot better than the first. Have a watch and then share it with other teachers you think could use a shot of awesome!

So, Tuesday Teacher, remember that your awesome! You are awesome. You have awesome. Be awesome and share awesome with every student, teacher, parent, family member, administrator, support staff member you see…and be awesome to yourself.

You are amazing! Today will be yours. It is yours. I know you will make it yours! You are going to make a difference for at least one person today…probably more. I love the way you care so much for the people around you, especially your students. Show that care today. I know you will! Keep on teaching, you wonderful Teacher, you!

Love, Teacher

PS…Here is the first video, in case you missed it. Motivational ABCs – The Movie!

General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Pep Talk, Theme Song

Freedom [when you let it go]

Posted on October 21, 2013October 21, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Great Monday morning to you! I know, there are very few times in the thick of the school year that we view Mondays as necessarily great…we are often being pulled from every angle and feeling like we are ten seconds from being ripped into pieces. Monday only makes it worse because we look forward to the pulling starting over fresh and new. It doesn’t have to be this way!

How do we keep ourselves together when everything wants us to fall apart, especially on a Monday? That is what today and this week’s theme song is all about. The best part is that I get to share one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists with you, and you probably have never heard of him or the song. Get ready to be a fan.

Click play and read on (just in case you are new and didn’t know 🙂 ). When you are done, you might want to go back and watch the video. It is pretty cool.

Teacher, you have so much on your plate. You have things that need to get done. You have expectations to meet. You have classroom management issues to deal with. You have parents to call. You have plans to plan and implement. You have profession development to go to and show evidence of using and applying. You have test to write, give, get data from, reflect on, and plan to use to differentiate and raise student achievement. You have books to read, papers to grade, and Common Core to implement.

You have people constantly looking over your shoulder telling you what to do and who to be as a teacher. You have parents who don’t think you are handling their child correctly. You have administration analyzing your every word and move in the classroom. You have curriculum specialists giving commentary on every strategy and technique you use and giving you tips and pointers on how do do things differently. You have ever changing district, state, and federal mandates and standards that are to be followed to the “t” with little variation.

You have a life outside of school. You have pressures from other places. You have family. You have friends. You have a life…at least you try to have one.

You have students. Students who need you to be more than just a implementer of plans. They need you, the person. They need your heart, soul, and mind to help them navigate through the storms of life and education. They need a mentor. They need a teacher. They need you.

Students are why you do what you do. Students are the key to education. Students are the ends and the means. Without them there are no standards, tests, data, professional development, or lesson plans.

Students are the heart of it all. Students are your heart. Students are why you are where you are. Students make you a teacher.

You are pulled and yanked in a thousand directions every day. You feel that weight the most on Sunday nights and Monday mornings. The waves of the life of a teacher are constantly trying to pull you under. The current is strongest at the beginning of the week.

What do you do? How do you combat this? How do you go against the flow that wants to drag you down? How can you make a Monday feel great and something you look forward to seeing?

One word: STUDENTS,

We have to learn to to be brave enough to run into the flames of the fight to let every decision we make be completely centered on our students. We have to train ourselves to let things go for the sake of our students. They need to be the answer to every question that starts with “Why did you…” Students, their hearts, and their minds need to be key. Few people know them like you do, and you need to stand up and say what you think will work best for them.

It is hard, though. It is hard to let go of some of the anxiety and fear of not meeting the expectations of others. Not meeting deadlines. Having to answer those hard “why” questions. I can’t tell you how to do this for you. I can tell you, though, that it is worth it.

I have been teaching long enough to know that expectations, standards, and mandates change. The current of education moves with the latest and greatest ideas and research, but often it is a circular pattern that always comes back to best practices that have been around for a long time. Tap into that and you will see that it always comes back to some of the same themes. Follow those themes and you can keep up with the changes (I will try to write about some of those themes later).

I am not saying to rebel or not follow guidelines and mandates. I am definitely not saying that. I am just saying that you will start to remember why you love being a teacher when the students return to being your focus for all that you do. And if you get off from the expectations set for you, make sure that your answer has something to do with the specific needs of your students. That is what is key and paramount.

Let go of the fear. Let go of the anxiety. Let the students be the reason for all that you do. Make them the goal. Open up your heart and mind to letting them come first. You will start to feel the freedom that comes from that. You will see that everything comes back around.

You may have to answer questions or be “fussed” at from time to time. Don’t let that worry you. One day, when a student comes back and tells you the influence you had on them and how that changed their life, what are you going to remember? Are you going to remember the lecture you were given or are you going to remember why you became a teacher? I think I know the answer.

Let things go and let yourself make choices in your classroom and with your time that come out of love and care for your students. I promise, when you let it go it will come right back to you. You will make it through and be a better teacher for it!

Don’t be afraid to let go!

You are awesome! You are making such a difference in the lives of your students. Keep going. Don’t act out of fear but act out of love and concern for your students. You will never regret it! You are amazing! Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

PS…In case you missed the announcement yesterday, I am very excited to announce the Motivational ABCs Poster/Word Wall now available in the Dear Teacher/Love Teacher TeachersPayTeachers Store! Check it out, if you haven’t had the chance! The image above is one of the printable posters in the set.

General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Picture Note, Poster/Graphic

Needed Friday Message

Posted on October 11, 2013October 11, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher.

Something tells me that you need this message as much as I do. Have a great weekend! Get some rest and take a break…you deserve it! You do amazing work!

You are awesome! Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

Challenge, Hope for Teachers, Take Care of Yourself

Being Awesome to Yourself…

Posted on August 16, 2013August 16, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

Dear Teacher,

I am so sorry for neglecting you this week! However, I don’t regret it. No offense meant by that though. I made a choice this week and I stand by it.

I made a consciousness effort this week to but all of my time and energy into two areas: the coming school year (with everything that accompanies that) and my family. Unfortunately it was more of the former than the latter, but I did make an honest effort! I really did.

In crunch time and where the rubber meets the road, we as teacher have make choices and an effort to follow through on said choices. And it is not always easy. We want to do so much. We aim to take on the world…but, alas, we only have a finite amount of time and energy. We can’t do it all. We have to choose.

And it is hard.

We know what are students need. We know what we would like for them to have. We know what we need to plan and what it will take from us if we plan as excellently as we would like. We strive to help other teachers, especially the newbies. We want to help around the school, assist the support staff, and support administration. We also want to help with sports, after school programs, and fine arts performances.

This doesn’t even count our after school lives!

We have families. We have things to go to and help with at our children’s or family’s schools. We are there for our friends. We have church. We belong to clubs. We have hobbies we a devoted to. And the list could go on and on forever.

This is why we have to choose, and we do.

It is too bad that we often forget someone when we do.

Teacher, don’t forget about you.

Now, I am not saying to let important things drop. You know how to prioritize. I am saying that we can never let the “needs of the many” stretch us out so far that we are unrecognizable to our friends and family! You have to make some of your choices based on you and what is important to you being you.

You need “you” choices that let you de-stress. You need to detox from the pressures of teaching, at least a little. You need to find a way to relax and enjoy life a little. You need to unwind because you know that you are bound to wind up to get wound up again!

You need to at least make one or two choices based on you each week…and do not feel bad about it.

This is why I do not regret neglecting you. I made choices based on my world…not so much about me. However, this weekend I am going to do something I have never done this weekend in my eight years of teaching. I am making this. Choice based on me.

I am not going to school this weekend. It is the last weekend before students come, and our administration let’s us come in and finish up in our classes. I have gone in every year so far. Not this year. I am thinking about me, and I want to spend time with my family. So I am.

Do I have stuff to get done? Sure. Do I think I may not do everything before students come on Wednesday? You betcha. Am I worried? Not this year. I know it will all come together.

I am choosing to focus on me. I am banking on the idea that if I do that there will be more of me to give out to the students. I am all-in on this bet. I have a feeling it is a safe one.

What about you? Are you spread too thin? Are you neglecting you? What is a choice that you can make to let there be more of you to give to you students?

You are awesome! Don’t forget to remember you! You ARE amazing and you ARE making a difference. Keep on teaching and remembering yourself from time to time, Teacher!

Love, Teacher