You Can Only Get Better

We all lose ourselves sometimes, but the important thing is to try and find your way back. Find your way back to your passion. If at some point you feel stressed, frustrated, or feel like giving up, congratulations because you’re now human.  Depending on how you handle a large workload, you must try to find your way back to what you fell in love with. You just need to learn to deal with your surroundings and learn to appreciate what’s in front of you.

Throughout my time being in education and working in education, I have been stressed and overwhelmed. There have been times where I have wanted to put my belongings in a cardboard box, get in my car and drive off. But there’s one thing that keeps on making me come back everyday, and that’s the students. The students make me want to come back every day. I do have to admit that it can be challenging sometimes, when they’re being defiant. It’s the teenager in them though, and that is why we are teachers. So that we can help them become individuals with character and distinction.

What’s also important for all of you to know is to give time to yourself. Every now and then, a little ‘me’ time is necessary in order for you to stay sane. If you don’t give yourself breathing room and find a time to relax, a lot of your frustration and negative emotions can be projected at the student or students. I say that in lieu of some teachers, struggling to be that one teacher who wants to be remembered. It’s that perception of either being that one teacher that is nonchalant, and being completely laid back or being the friend. Or the perception of being a “hard-ass” teacher that comes down with an abrasive tone, and tries to strike fear in the students. In this generation though, some students will not respond to fear. They’ll think of it more as you challenging them; basically calling them out.

I have had challenging students over the years. Some were academically challenged and some were challenging because of discipline issues. What I needed to keep in mind was that parents were putting their trust in me to be respectful and guide their children in a way that fosters and cultivates the intellectual and moral growth.  That is a lot of pressure to have on you as a teacher. It is stressful but it is worth it.

One of my favorite movies about being a teacher is “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” During the course of that film, there’s a powerful scene about learning how to be better with people, and being a teacher that cares. In one scene, Richard Dreyfuss’ character becomes frustrated with a student who is desperately seeking approval from her family, by trying to get better at playing the clarinet. His annoyance builds and he takes it out on the student without realizing it. He only later realizes that he must be patient and be better with himself. With that in mind, he doesn't just teach the child but he encourages her to be better with herself as well. Once you find that clarity in you, your ideals and will change. Stress will be minimal.

A student cannot learn from someone who is constantly angry, and annoyed. If this is the case, the student will shut down and this can contribute to a student’s self-esteem. So be kind and understanding. Appreciate that you are there to be a guiding light that embodies morals and personality. Most of all, give time to yourself, and what you need in your life. You deserve it. It will only make you better.