9 Things Teachers Should Never Apologize For
There are certainly plenty of things to have regrets about or beat ourselves up about as teachers and as parents. But... here's a few you should never apologize for.
1. A lesson that didn't go as planned. So what. Learn something from it and try again.Show your students how to accept failure and start over. Now, three's a lesson worth teaching.
2. Being really good at something others aren't. If you resumer organized but others aren't and they give you trouble about it, shame on them. Enjoy your strengths and use them. We all have enough faults worry about, do don't add your strengths to the worry list.
3. Not having a Pinterest Perfect classroom. A perfectly coordinated room does not make you a better teacher. Either decorating in your thing or it's not. Make your room comfortable and welcome for you and your students. That's enough. Just teach.
4. Doing things your own way. Being different is a strength, not a fault. In some schools, teachers are expected to go lock step together in each grade level. I hate that. We're human, not robots. Go be you. Do your own thing as long as you get the job done to the best of your ability and your students are making phenomenal progress. A happy teacher is a good teacher.
5. Saying no. Say no first, for almost everything. You can change your mind later, if you wish. But... it's really hard to go back on a yes. I hope you stick to your guns on almost all of your nos. You do enough already.
6. Buying a great unit, lesson or organizational packet on TPT (and not reinventing the wheel for once). Just be picky. There's a lot of junk out there. And... don't go buying a bunch of student worksheets or I'll have to come after you. :)
7. Not taking work home. Turns out we are human, need a break and a real life too. Who knew?! Don't get wrong, I LOVE teaching, but I love my family and friends too. A happy teacher is a good teacher. Rest. Recharge. You'll be a better, more productive teacher if you do.
8. Not eating lunch with your colleagues every day. If you are spending every possible minute teaching and planning (being productive) so you don't have to take stuff home, that's just smart time management. Choose one day each week to have lunch with your colleagues (no work or work talk) and really enjoy it. A happy teacher is a good teach. Did I say that already? I can't say it enough. Your students deserve a happy teacher as much as you deserve to be joyful in your work.
9. Throwing stuff out. If you actually get rid of things, good for you! Most teachers are hoarders. If there was an encyclopedia picture to go with hoarder, it would be a teacher. Seriously. I spend more time getting teachers to let go of things they are never going to use or can store digitally. Get rid of the clutter people! It's liberating, I promise.
