7 Secrets of Happy Teachers: What Happy Teacher's Don't Do – Virtually I’mPossible Presents: Lazy Learning Land Teacher Podcast
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Happy teachers. Is there even a such thing? One may begin to believe that the only happy teachers are those first year teachers. You know, the ones who are so green and naïve. Thinking that they are going to save every child, while also being the coolest, most creative, most successful teacher to have ever done it.
Yes, the same ones we see at the pre-planning luncheon during the week teachers report back without students. The ones that make us say in our head, “You have no idea what you are getting yourself into.” Those are usually the happiest teachers.
The Research on unhappy teachers
Did you know that the average career span of a teacher only lasts 14 years? That is according to research conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). In most states teachers have to make it to 30 years to qualify for pension and folks are abandoning ship around the time they hit the halfway mark. Could it be that teachers are so unhappy that they are willing to start from ground zero just to escape the black hole of being an educator?
What is even crazier, is that about 30% of teachers quit within their first three years of starting in the profession. Zooming out a little further, roughly 50% of teachers leave the profession within their first five years.
This post is not centered around discussing the insurmountable concerns teachers have regarding the career path. However, it is focused on exposing what happy teachers don’t do. The ones who end up going the distance, and the ones who truly enjoy going to work everyday (okay, okay, most days).
Happy Teacher’s Don’t Do …
1) Happy Teachers Don’t Say Yes to Everything
I will say it time and time again. The education system is not set up in favor of the teacher. We are the last priority, and in most instances, are more powerless than students. So, in a system that is not set up in your best interest, you must set yourself up to look out for your own best interest.
This includes not saying yes to everything. Administrators love them a YES teacher. We all know the ones who volunteer to stay late, come early, chaperone, work during their lunch, head several committees, and do the special programs after school and on the weekends.
All of those things directly benefit the school and the administration, but can take a toll on the individual. By no means am I saying not to be a team player. Just keep this in mind, that opportunity costs. Every time you say yes, you are trading time and energy you could be spending with someone else or doing something else.
“Happy Teachers realize the importance of work life balance and are intentional about protecting their peace, time, and energy.“
2) Happy Teachers Don’t Expect Perfection
Majority of teachers have a slight to severe touch of OCD. Whether it is directed towards the organization of our classroom, or towards the organization and detailing of our lessons. Others of us have OCD regarding classroom management. I prefer to say instead of OCD issues, there are some control issues.
Each of these are great in a general sense. On the other hand, too much OCD in these areas can drive you insane. The school year is a marathon. It is extremely easy to stress yourself out because you have some unruly piles of papers, or because you had to handwrite instead of type.
Some of us even flip a wig because we don’t have enough time to add more pictures, colors, or that little extra thoughtful pazazz. Happy teachers understand that a little mess adds character. That they can go back and tweak it before they use it again next school year.
Happy teachers accept small daily victories as milestones. Maybe little Johnny didn’t stay seated for the entire circle time, but he did manage to keep his hands to himself. Or that one student may not have done any work today, but at least they took out paper and pencil instead of having a completely blank empty desk.
“Happy teachers realize that progress beats perfection.”
3) Happy Teachers don’t Stop Growing
I have been teaching for 15+ years, and I am at the point where I can point out drastic changes in the evolution of teaching strategies and tools. Happy teachers do not say, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” They actually embrace the new tricks.
Many of the new tricks come about to help us be able to better reach the needs of the that particular generation of children. A bonus is that some of the new tricks make your job easier to do, helping to lessen the stress.
For more tips & tricks on how to make your teaching job easier, check out my post on the 5 Laws to be a Lazier, More Effective Teacher.
“Happy Teachers live by, “Work Smarter, Not Harder.”
4) Happy Teachers don’t Compare themselves
There are millions of teachers in the world. No two are the same. Happy teachers recognize that every teacher has their niche inside of the niche. Individual teachers possess skills and gifts that are unique to them, that makes them an asset to your team and to your school.
Happy teachers learn to embrace the strengths of others. Really happy teachers not only embrace, but they capitalize on the strengths of others. They allow them to take the lead when it is appropriate. They also steal and use other teachers great ideas and activities.
Happy Teachers refrain from being jealous of the gifts and talents others have. They also don’t get their panties or boxers in a bunch when others get recognized for their contributions, and they don’t. They accept their own strengths and short-comings.
“Happy Teachers understand that they are fearfully, and wonderfully made, and love the skin they’re in.”
5) Happy Teachers Don’t Forget to Prioritize Their Tasks
A teacher’s job is never done….no literally a teachers job is never done. We only get paid for 10 months out the year (some counties spread the same money over 12) but we still end up working all 12 months. I will just leave that thought right there.
The list of things we need to accomplish in a day is assanine and daunting. Heck, just the thought of our to-do list can cripple us into not wanting to call out sick, or just say bump-it, I just won’t do any of it. With that being said, happy teachers, prioritize their tasks.
What is considered a priority does change day to day, sometimes hour to hour. Last minute meeting after school and you must have ____ done before then. Parent-teacher conference today and you need a documentation folder. Its testing season and you have to attend a PD training session. Grades are due this week and you also have a formal observation to prepare for.
I know I need not continue as I would be here for hours listing the potential scenarios. The bottom line of this is you will always have something else that needs to be done. Knowing the difference between what requires your immediate attention and what can wait until the next day, can literally save you peace of mind.
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“Happy Teachers know to do the opposite of this popular quote, Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today. And they make sure they do what is dire today, and save the rest for tomorrow.”
6) Happy Teachers Don’t Neglect Family & Friends
I learned early on in my teaching years from a co-worker that, “If they won’t let you bring home to work, then why are you bringing work home?” That resonated with me as if it were an entire book of poetry. It forced me to understand that our teaching job does not let us bring our sick kids, spouse, or parents to work with us, so why do we take home papers, create lessons and lesson plans at home?
The real answer is because there is not enough hours in the work day, where we actually get a chance to sit and work on those things. But taking it back to the over-arching theme here. The demand on a teacher is for them to be present and fully engaged with their students when they on campus. So then the flip side to this is…
Happy Teachers are fully engaged and present with their friends and family when they are not at work. For many of us we find it dang near impossible to not do anything for work at home. I simply charge you with the first task of trying to create a system that will free you from this stronghold. If not, then I charge you with the second task of carving out sacred time to spend with family and friends.
Time when you are fully present and in the moment. Creating and storing memories with those who love you the most. In education if a teacher cannot come to class, they get a substitute. But who will your family and friends get to substitute you if you cannot show up for them? The correct answer is, nobody.
“Happy teachers know to, Prioritize those to whom you are irreplaceable, fore those who can replace you, will.”
7) Happy Teachers Don’t Neglect Themselves
“You cannot pour from an empty cup.” There has been a sense of urgency in recent years to prioritize self-love, and self-care. Happy teachers know that if they are unhappy, they do not possess the energy to help others find their happiness.
Being selfish is sometimes essential. Saying no, leaving work right at the end of the duty day, engaging in activities that brings you joy. Also, taking sick days off and not being sick, or creating days where your students work more independently so they need you less. All of these are forms of self-care.
Something I started doing recently is dot-journaling. It is a journal that has dots all over each page. From there the dots are your canvas. I have created various pictures and quotes in mine. It is soothing as it allows me to be creative and I get to go at my own pace. My journal is a plus because I can dot-journal while in meetings, and it looks like I am taking notes.
“Happy Teachers know, I am no good to anyone else, until I am good to myself.”
** Bonus **
Happy Teachers are Money savvy!
Unfortunately we have chosen a lower paying profession. One that does not pay us close to what we need to survive based on the cost of living. However, happy teachers are savvy with their money. They know how to make the pennies we get paid work for them. Be it couponing, investing, or using their talents to create a side hustle.
Notice I did not say happy teachers work two jobs. In fact I believe the opposite is true. Although there is extra income, working an actual second job comes with demands on time and energy. They also tend to come with a less flexible schedule, taking valuable time away from family, friends, and self-care. When you create your own side hustle, you are more of your own boss and have more control over when you do and do not work.
“Happy teachers know how to make a dollar out of fifteen cents.”
Conclusion
Happy teachers don’t do any of the seven things mentioned above. Happiness can be fickle at best. We are responsible for doing what is in our power to protect it. Please do not beat yourself up if you are guilty of doing any of these seven things.
The first step to change is self awareness, and it may not happen over night. The goal is to be more intentional about making positive progress with any area you struggle with. Those small, consistent changes have the ability to make a great impact on your mood and your mental sanity. Ultimately potentially extending your longevity in the teaching profession.
