5 Tips for the Frustrated Teacher

Life as a classroom teacher like many professionals has its ups and downs. If you can answer yes to more than one of the statements below then this blog post is for you.

I don't feel supported by administration.

I am overwhelmed in the classroom

My email is piling with last minute meetings, trainings and paperwork

I don't feel respected by my peers

I don't feel like I have a voice within my school

I’m torn between loving what I do but where I work is miserable

I feel your pain.I remember being cursed out by parents or meeting with parents week by week and it felt like bullying me into giving their child a grade they did not deserve. Here are five tips to help you as a frustrated classroom teacher.

#1 Journal Your Thoughts

Write those feelings out in a journal everyday. If you are a techie try using some notes apps, notes features on your phone or Google Docs. Make sure you use your personal email on your personal devices.

Unapologetically,write out how you feel and get it out. Do not filter your thoughts to be politically correct. Write/type out everything you feel.If you are angry write it and write out why you are angry, if you are hurt , write it out and write why you are hurt . When you put it on paper you can see and reflect more on your emotions and connect the dots to why some things are taking place.

Sometimes having a conversation with a “trusted” peer may not go as well as you think. Keep it personal for a moment before you try to get advice from someone.

#2 Embrace the Work Life Balance

Passion fueled careers can sometimes influence how often we work. Although, I’m not physically in the classroom, teaching careers require a lot of planning and analyzing. With this being said we spend a lot of time fostering ideas, planning and organizing to get things done. ( Planning periods aren't long enough).

I had to create a work life balance. For me the first step was to to remove my work email from my phone. I did this to find a balance. Phones are so convenient with all the apps, touch ids and other monitoring systems in place. It also feels like people have too much access to me. Think about it, text message, group chats, emails, social media , the G Suite and more are all ways to stay connected and communicate. The problem was it was too much access to me.

Here is an idea to work hard, remain productive and still be the best sassy educator out there: Remove your email from your phone and only respond in certain block times, or prepare response to be sent out and certain times. If you are apart of the gmail suite try BOOMERANG. I loved this extension. I scheduled emails to be sent at certain times, followed up with certain time frames and more. Try it out and let me know what you think!

#3 Do Something After Work

The after 5 lifestyle has plenty to offer. There are many classes and activities you can participate in like Zumba, painting, community events and more. Try a new class or a ne restaurant if you are a foodie like myself. I live in the Charlotte area so there is plenty to do. Check out this article here for 5 apps to find things to do in the city. Let me know which one is your favorite below and which activity you tried!

#4 Get Involved

Ue your pain to make some change. Identify a game plan to get involved with a school committee or district committee that serves the greater purpose of making sure what happened to you doesn't continue to happen.

See if you can get involved on a committee that can do something that will change what you're experiencing. Voicing your opinion is one thing, solving the problem is another. Consider changes that have a long term impact.

If you can't get involved maybe try an education organization and serve on a committee. Look for organizations that support you as a classroom educator and your content area. See if they offer professional development and social events to polish your skills while learning new ones

It's amazing how we can influence change by using our stories and out voice. For me I used my frustration with the curriculum to support other teachers. That polished skills to become a teacher and make a strong impact from one classroom to hundreds of classrooms.

Here is a resource that has a plethora of options to research and choose from .

#5 Be Quick to Listen and Slow to Respond.

Frustration sometimes turns you into a volcano. Pause, bite your tongue for just a moment. Sometimes it's not even your battle but we can personalize it to the point we feel like its for us and its not. I have experienced co workers belittling me, chastising me in a meeting and making personal attacks and did I mention being passive aggressive. I will never forget those moments, my blood was boiling. I felt like I was a 6th grade kid continually getting hit by the bully blow after blow. Instead of reacting and losing control of the situation. I bit my tongue, I said nothing, I did nothing in the moment. There is a way to stand up for yourself and make things happen without adding fuel to the fire. I handled the situation with grace and effectiveness.

When you listen to understand you can hear the hurt, pain and frustration. You can hear the underlying issue that is really there. Everything and everyone does not need a response.