Teaching from the Inside Out

The year ahead looks very different for everyone, from how educators are teaching to how students are attending school. In times of change, uncertainty, overwhelm, and fear tend to be the default – because we’re only human.

Are those kinds of thoughts ones that serve you?

Because if you’ve ever stood in front of kids, you know your energy matters in any kind of classroom

So the question is, when is your energy certain, calm, and confident?

In the last episode, I talked about designing an ecosystem for yourself – the external side of cultivating that kind of energy.

Today, I’m going to talk about the internals – because teaching happens from the inside out. And while “fake it til you make it” might work for a while, that kind of effort is exhausting, and let’s be real. Kids and dogs are pros at sniffing out a faker.

So, how do you create an internal sense of certainty, calm, and confidence? Because whether you’re instructing students face-to-face or virtually, your energy MATTERS.

Know Your Personality – what are your challenges? Your strengths?  * You can check out links to personality tests in the Referenced in this Episode section below*

Know Your Triggers – what sends you into fight-flight-or-freeze mode, especially when you are teaching?

Know Your Learning Style – how do you best learn? How does that influence your instruction?

Beware of Bias – are you teachable? Are you open to recognizing any blind spots you have when it comes to different areas of bias? *Check out the Referenced in this Episode Section below for links to bias self-evaluations*

Why are you here? Why did you choose teaching?

What’s the one thing you want students to walk away with at the end of the year?

How do you want them to FEEL in your classroom?

Do you have a growth or a fixed mindset?

Is learning a two-way street in your classroom? Are you not only teaching but also being taught?

There’s no losing, only learning.

Can this be a “no pressure” year for you? Can you take advantage of no state testing this year (if that applies to you)?

Schedule, schedule, schedule – put it on your calendar

Be mindful in the little things (tea, a good book, a walk)

Be intentional about feeling all your feels and processing them outside your classroom

Set work boundaries - no more 7-day work weeks

Ironing all these out will create the kind of energy you want your students to “catch” from you. When kids feel your certainty and calm, they’ll be able to relax – subconsciously – and get about the business of learning.

Reach out for help.

Have tons of grace for yourself – when you can share that with kids, it gives them permission too.