5 Ways to Turn The Anxious Teacher Mode Down.
Three years ago, in the first year of my career, I envied young teachers in their 3rd or 4th year of teaching, thinking they already have it all to make the year easy. Being at a higher level of experience might make you a different, happier, more confident teacher, I thought.
This September will be my 4th year of teaching, but the feelings are a reflection of the past: lost, overwhelmed without reason.
And then it occurred to me that 10th year of teaching might not change anything in the job perception because it’s not about the years of experience, it’s about attitude, the way one sees a career, the place one creates for work.
Whether you see it as a job from 8 to 3, or a craze, or a venue for a business, your attitude establishes the reality of your life and work. Work will be what you are. The experience might not always be relevant when you change grade levels.
Every August, there is some worry in anticipation of the school year. It comes from nowhere. It feels you can’t solve problems, and they seem gigantic. Most of all, I imagine myself being torn into little pieces by dozens of tasks, being pressed for time to give to myself and my family — rush, rush, rush.
And then, I remember the rules that snap me out of my ungrounded nervousness. It’s a list of reminders that calm me down and make the rest of the August enjoyable. Today, I’m sharing these ideas with you.
1. Set the lowest expectations.
When I came to a new school district, I wanted to become a great ESL teacher. There were too many goals, and I tried too hard. Most importantly, I wanted to be noticed and valued.
One year in a new school district cannot bring much, I thought. I did develop a great relationship with my students and got to know great educators; however, it was a small part of what I strived for. It was frustrating.
For this coming school year, I agreed to the lowest expectations, but I commit to making the best of every single day. That’s all.
Don’t fly too high planning or imagining yourself achieving great heights in a short period, even a year. There is no need to reach Pinterest status or create the ‘wow’ factor in your school.
Instead, expect the year to be a merely good year with no setbacks. Set tangible, small but firm goals for each day and make your plan work. Just be there every day for your class and enjoy each learning moment. Come back home with one lesson learned.
By the end of the school year, you will accumulate more achievements than you expected, and that’s the reward.
2. Be a realist: someone will talk about you anyway.
The first time I happened to be present during “behind-the-back-talk” was in my new school district. The person of the conversation was not me but another teacher that I knew.
The teachers who talked about their colleague had less than ten years of experience teaching. Yes, they had great classrooms and rapport with students. But to me, they came across as rather judgmental.
“She is not capable. She should quit. It’s not for her,” –harsh words cut the dense air like a cake. I felt scared because during my first year in this new district this easily could be me. I never judged my colleagues, nor did I interfere.
This coming school year, apart from starting anew, there are many things I will have to learn in the new position and a grade level. Being a target of criticism or being afraid of it is not on my list.
If you witnessed a “behind-the-back-talk” as well or were a target yourself, accept that someone might talk about you anyway. Someone will mention your name, comment. There is no point to be ready for this or try to avoid it by stretching yourself.
Be the master of your day and your feelings about the day. Make a small accomplishment each workweek and stick to it as your badge of honor.
Surely, you will make mistakes. Surely, something will flap. Take it as a natural process of your being a teacher. Let the talkers talk, and haters hate. There will always be people next to you to compliment you.
3. Fix one thing a day.
The other day I was compiling a list of “important-to-do” stuff before a new school year in a new position. I accumulated 22 items. Some of them were heftier than others, but together, they were capable of dragging my mood down.
With an abundance of time in my summer vacation, I committed to tackling one list item at a time, and things started shifting.
Similar to-do lists will pop up during the school year. Things will pile up, and many items on the list will scream for attention.
Avoid being overwhelmed by targeting only one thing to fix a day or a week. If your readers’ workshop is not perfect, allow yourself one week to fix it. If your learning objectives are not up to a standard, spend one day to make it work and then move on.
Remember, the rest of your life happens once you leave work. Don’t let the imperfect day at work bring you down and deprive you of the right to have a fantastic day.
4. Ask for help.
Asking for help may be hard, but it’s a smart thing to do. Someone always knows the answer you are searching for. Someone already perfected the process you are trying to set up.
Great things are learned from the imitation.
Asking for help will open the opportunity to get great advice, great resources, make great friends, discover the vulnerability of other colleagues and connect. Asking for help may just be an attempt to connect. Asking for help may save an hour or two of work. It’s a magic button that always works.
The most useful things I learned in my teaching career came from the people whom I asked for help. The best relationships were built from my search for answers. Just ask!
5. Choose clothes wisely.
Shoes that are too narrow and squeeze your toes, a blouse that looks chic but uncovers your belly in the most inconvenient moment, a dress that is elegant but you hate it – clothes can dictate the way you feel and behave.
Comfortable clothes that make you look on point are a grand gesture to your body and mind.
Many times, I wore clothes that were supposed to make me look like a “real” teacher. I wore classic suits, skirts, and heels. I never felt comfortable or like myself. Clothes I didn’t love would make me feel awkward in my movements.
Ay some point, I said ‘no’ to what was supposed to be “teacher’s clothes” in my mind. And that shift drastically changed the way I perceived myself. I felt lighter, more mobile in my working space, more helpful, and more attentive to the people around me.
Add some bracelets you got during the latest trip or the necklace that reminds you of the family time and your day at work will turn out much better.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself!
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