Before You Throw in the Towel: REASSESS

TL;DR:

Being a teacher is not for the faint of heart. Teaching is a calling.
If you ever feel helpless, unappreciated, or want to leave the profession, don’t. Instead, REASSESS: remember, evaluate, affirm, seek, study, eliminate, survey, and shift.

By nature, I am highly reflective. As a teacher, I often looked forward to ways to redo a poorly executed lesson or to get through to that “tough to reach” student. No, I was not impervious to the issues that educators face. Some days were certainly better than others. I became discouraged at times but I never let discouragement hold me down for too long. Over the past two years, teachers have expressed to me that they are having a hard time feeling resilient. The obstacles seem too bountiful; the challenges seem insurmountable. Expectations are through the roof, public opinion is overwhelming, and pressures are at an all-time high.

Our job as educators isn’t for the faint at heart. We all know that. We all know what we signed up to do. Teaching is a calling, but it should never, ever be a death sentence. Don’t allow any supervisor, administrator, or colleague to make you feel like you’re less than because you have a down day or even a down week. You’re human and you are entitled to feel.

I want you to think about your present position as an educator. If you feel helpless and unappreciated, I don’t want you to quit teaching and leave the profession altogether. I want you to R.E.A.S.S.E.S.S.

REASSESS: Remember

First, I need you to remember why you entered this field in the first place. If it was for free summers, winter and spring break, then it may be time to move on. However, if children are your impetus and you love to see their faces when that light bulb goes off or they reach a goal once thought to be unattainable, then you may need to reevaluate your teaching assignment. Sometimes, all you need is a shift down or up. For example, I hit a brick wall teaching middle school but was surprisingly rejuvenated when I began teaching at the high school level.

REASSESS: Evaluate

Next, I want you to consider what causes you the most stress at work. If it is the students, you may need to look into other fields because they are a constant wherever you go as an educator. If it’s your colleagues, administrative team, or central office staff, a change of schools or even districts could prove to be beneficial. You’re not for everyone—and that’s ok. Weigh the pros and cons of staying at your present school or district and let your heart lead you.

REASSESS: Affirm

Thirdly, believe in your gifts, talents, and individualism. You are unique and meant to go and thrive in a place that accepts you for your who you are and that can appreciate your contributions. There is always a place for you; don’t let anyone tell you differently. What you have to contribute is something only you can deliver.

You are unique and meant to go and thrive in a place that accepts you for who you are and that can appreciate your contributions. Click To Tweet

REASSESS: Seek

Your next step is to seek to align your school or district’s values, mission, and vision with your own. If there are too many discrepancies, you may need to get out. Don’t compromise who you are to fit into any school or district’s mold. As stated earlier, you are one of a kind and the right fit is definitely out there for you.

REASSESS: Study

Afterward, it is time to determine what is most difficult about your teaching assignment and resolve to learn more about it. For me, that was delivering writing instruction. While I was able to write well, I struggled with how to teach my students to do the same. I read, watched videos, and listened to podcasts as often as I could until I gained a better understanding of how to deliver this instruction to my students. I found myself enjoying teaching even more because I felt more confident.

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REASSESS: Eliminate

Consider what you can take off your plate. Sometimes, we take on too much as educators. We want to spearhead this committee, host after-school tutoring, or serve on that committee. If you are feeling burned out and it’s impacting your teaching assignment, it’s time to drop the excess and focus on the essentials. Once you’ve gotten your bearings and are better able to juggle more responsibilities, you can reassess and pick back up where you’d left off.

REASSESS: Survey

Take an honest look around at the wonderful gift you’ve been given! No other profession on earth produces what we produce. I marvel at the students whom I’ve taught over the years who have become doctors, lawyers, landowners, parents, and politicians. It is an amazing thing to sit back and look around at all that you have done to shape, educate, and develop the young people you’ve taught.

REASSESS: Shift

A mindset shift can make a world of difference. If none of the other recommendations worked for you, maybe it’s time to relax and rethink your situation. Are you burdened, stressed, or are external pressures getting you? Use your time to refresh and renew your mindset so you’ll be ready for the work ahead.

Don’t you dare throw in the towel! As a young educator, I almost gave up so many times, but I had great people in my corner to encourage and inspire me to greatness. Find a mentor, confidant, or coach to help you R.E.A.S.S.E.S.S. You were called to serve children and live a good life. Share how you overcome on Twitter by using the hashtags #REASSESS #TeachBetter.

About Latrese Younger

Latrese D Younger is an instructional lead learner in Virginia. Her passion is English language arts and she believes that she will always be a teacher at heart. Latrese has a servant mindset, spirit, and attitude that she believes helps keep her grounded. She resides with her son, husband, and English bulldog. In her spare time, she loves writing, reading, and social media curating.