A Message for Those Rainy Days
Tag: note for teacher
Happy Medley (don’t worry, Teacher)
Dear Teacher,
I have been so busy this month, can you tell? Sorry for space between notes to you! Hopefully everything will settle down after Christmas break. I hope!
Well, even though it is mid-week, I figure that we all could still use a theme song for the week. Click play and then read on.
The message is simple today, which I have been saying a lot lately…it is nonetheless true. 🙂
Don’t worry, Teacher.
School can be hectic. There is so much to do. There is so little time. Teaching is tough.
It is easy to get caught up in the cycle of stress. We get worn out. We start to let plates fall. The stress builds. We get even more tired. We let more plates fall. More stress. More tired. More broken plates on the floor. And the story goes on and on this way.
We teachers like to worry. Okay, we don’t like it, but we are drawn to worry. We have to worry. There is often no choice but to worry.
Stress is coworker. It is in our classroom. It comes in with the students. It comes in with the administrators. It comes in with our fellow teachers.
It surrounds us. It swallows us whole. It is the lurking monster around every corner. We walk on eggshells trying not to let it know that we are around.
Such is the life of a a teacher. Stress and worry.
And that is just the school stuff! I won’t even go into the stress and worry that comes along with the rest of our lives. Family. Friends. Life in general.
And all of this just gets magnified this time of year. I am writing this before Christmas, but pick the time of year and there is probably something to magnify stress and worry for us.
So what do we do?
We remember one thing…it will all eventually be all right. Everything’s going to be all right.
We can stress less. We can.
We can not worry so much. It is true.
We just have to prioritize and focus.
Easier said than done…but we can do it.
It is not a crime to let some plates drop. We can clean up the mess and move on. It is not a big deal. It just isn’t.
To quote my friend Pete the Cat when he lost one of his groovy buttons, “Do we cry? Goodness no! Buttons come and buttons go.” We can keep on singing our song!
Stuff, stress, and worries come and go. They do. They do not have to drive us to the brink. They don’t.
Don’t worry, Teacher. Every little thing is going to be all write.
Don’t worry, be happy.
It is okay to be happy.
Be happy today. Do it for your students. Do it for you. Find something about what needs to happen today and the rest of the week that makes you happy and let that drive you. Don’t worry so much. Be happy!
I know that you can! I believe in you!
As I said, I am writing this before Winter Break. If you are reading this before break, take the rest of the week and make it less stressful. Find a way. Be happier. It is okay. You are allowed to do that from time to time. You and your students will be better for it!
You are awesome and amazing, as usual. You can and do try to stress less and be happier. Good for you! You students are definitely reaping the benefits of it! You are making a difference in their life by showing them it is possible to stress less and be happier. They will need those lessons one day! You are so great and I believe in you so much! Go get it today and make today great! Keep on teaching, Teacher!
Love, Teacher
No Idea…(teachers have the upper hand)
Dear Teacher,
You are the one. You have what you need. You have plans, but you also have heart. You are ready…even if you are not completely ready.
You have a mind and know how to use it. You can roll with the waves and the punches. This day…this week…this year will not dominate you. You’ve got this. Somewhere deep inside you know that you can handle this.
Your students have no idea what is coming. Use that. You can do something different today. Take them off guard. Show them that you know your stuff. Show them that you care. Show them that you are the teacher that they need you to be.
What do I mean by this? That depends on you. That depends on what you are facing today. That depends on what you need.
Does that mean that I am being generic with my encouragement today?
No! It just means that the message for today is whatever you need it to be.
You really do have this under control, even if you don’t feel like it.
No matter what is ahead of you, you can do this today. You can teach. You can make it through. You can be who your students need you to be.
Be that teacher.
You are that teacher.
Do what you need to do today.
Need to change your plans? Do it.
Need to review though there is little time to do it? Review away.
Need to take a stand about an issue happening in your class? Stand up.
Need to hold your ground on a school issue unrelated to students? Do what you need to do.
Be who you need to be today.
Your students and those around you have no idea what you have in store today. You have the upper hand. You have the element of surprise. Surprise them today.
You’ve got this!
Teach away!
You are awesome! You can do this today. Go. Do. Be the teacher! You are amazing! I believe in you! Keep on teaching, Teacher!
Love, Teacher
As You Look Back…
Dear Teacher,
How was your week? Was it a rough one? Was it a “blah” one? Was it the best week ever?
Looking back is a part of our job. It is a part of what we do. It is a part of who we are. It is a vital function to the process of teaching. We have to do it. Good or bad, we have to analyze the week. What went wrong? What went right? What worked? What didn’t? Where did you thrive? Where did you fall on your face?
Reflection can be hard. It is hard to relive the week, sometimes. But we need to do it. We have to. As painful as it can be, we have to go through it day by day. This is the only way to become a better teacher and let your awesome shine in the weeks to come.
As you look back, though, focus. What matters most? What are the most important things that you need to do in your role as a teacher at your school (and any other roles that you might have)? What do your students need most? What do they need to learn? What do they need to learn about learning for themselves? What do your students need outside of learning? What do they need to become better, independent Earth dwellers one day?
What does your school need from you most? What do your colleagues need from you? What does your family need from you? What do you need from you? I mean truly need.
What matters most?
Let what matters most be the mirror that you judge yourself by. There are so many little things, the minutia of teaching, that can get us wrapped around the axle of the teacher’s life. These things can stress us out. These are the things that wipe us out. These are the things that can lead to burnout quickest. These are the things that don’t lead to what matters most.
Don’t reflect by these muddle puddles. They are fun-house mirrors. They are not a real reflection of you as a teacher. They do not show you who you really are. They are a false reflection. Don’t judge yourself by these things! Easier said than done, but you are going to have to let those things go.
Let them go.
Let them go.
Let them go.
Focus.
What matters most?
Use the “matters most” for reflection. How was your week when you look at those things? What do you need to change? What are you doing well? How will you make the “matters most” matter more next week?
Look back, Teacher. How are you doing? How was this week?
You are awesome! You know what matters most. You know how to let the other stuff go. You are making a difference…what matters most is your goal. This makes you amazing! Keep on focusing and keep on teaching, Teacher!
Love, Teacher
Well Done!
Dear Teacher,
A little message for the end of your week. You are awesome! You have made it! Well done! Keep on teaching, Teacher!
Love, Teacher
Well Done!
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
The Long, Hard Road
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.
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!
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
Tuesday Reminder…
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!
The Attitude of Edison
Dear Teacher,
Don’t give up. That is basically all that I want to tell you this morning. Just don’t give up. Don’t stop.
I know that the weight of teaching is heavy. We push and push, but the push back is often more intense.
We can see what our students need more than they can. You know your students. You know how close they are to understand what you are teaching them. You know how close they are to becoming more complete self-learners.
But the resistance makes it hard to keep moving.
You are beat up. You are tired. You are exhausted. You have very little left to give.
It would be easier to drop back and punt…you can try again another day.
Don’t stop. Don’t give in. Don’t move back. Keep pushing. Keep going!
You don’t see it from where you are, but you are so very close to success with your students. You see how close they are, but guess what? You are SO CLOSE to getting them there. I know it is hard, but don’t stop!
Find your reserves. You have some hidden energy and strength left. Find it. Use it. You are seriously almost there. Just give a little more. You can do this. I know you can because you are awesome!
Two of my favorite quotes of all time are from Thomas Edison:
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
You are on the verge of success. A miracle is on the horizon. Chase it. Go for it. You are almost there! Push on. Further on and further in. You’ve got this, you amazing Teacher, you!
Take on the the attitude of Edison today. Don’t give up. Don’t let apparent failures stop you. Failure never means you can’t do something, it just means you need to keep trying and find some new ways.
You don’t have to stop. You have this. You are close. Keep going and keep moving forward!
Your students will watch you, they will learn to do the same thing. They won’t give up and snatch defeat from the jaws of looming victory. They will keep trying until they get it…just like they saw you do.
Don’t give up!
You are an amazingly awesome teacher! You have what it takes. You have the strength and fortitude. Prove it today! You will see success, so keep pushing on and keep on teaching, Teacher!
Love, Teacher
PS…I know I keep talking about it, but I am so excited about these posters and how they can motivate students (intrinsically) to keep moving and pressing on! The Motivational ABCs Poster/Word Wall (or Growth Mindset ABC’s) are available in the Dear Teacher/Love Teacher TeachersPayTeachers Store…check it out, if you haven’t had the chance! The image in this post is one of the printable posters in the set.
Dear Teacher/Love Teacher 