Dear Teachers . . .

Dear Teachers . . 

As we navigate an unprecedented school year, we wanted to pause to acknowledge you . . . the teachers, administrators, and support staff that have poured their hearts into a job description they never saw coming.

As if our jobs weren’t already filled with a mountain of to-do’s and check boxes, constant trainings and certifications, enter the slap-you-in-your-face coronavirus. What was an already overflowing plate, has now morphed into some virtual version of that, forcing teachers to adapt - which of course, we do. Because if there’s one thing we know how to do - it’s adapt. All day, err’y day. All for the sake of the humans that have been placed in our care. . . and to keep a job we love, a job we believe in, a job we know holds far more value than its paycheck will ever show.

In or out of quarantine, being an educator means running yourself into the ground day after day, year after year. It means giving all of yourself to a set of students that take a piece of your heart, only to have to detach, refocus, and prepare room for another set that will need every piece of you just as much. It means loving when you’re treated poorly, defending when you know you’re all they’ve got. It’s split-second decision making and problem solving on the fly every second of the day. It’s back flips, hand-standing, twisting, turning, singing, changing, differentiating. It’s late nights, early mornings, and the longest days evvvveeerrrr. 

Some say we are super heroes . . . but we disagree to some extent. 

We are people. We are human beings with lives and families and health we must protect. We aren’t super natural, and we can’t do it all. But we will try - and we will watch our health, our energy, and our patience for our own children deplete with each lesson we spend hours preparing, and only minutes executing.

Are we pretty freakin’ awesome at what we do? You’re damn right we are. We are super. And to many, we are heroes. 

But it’s time to stop expecting teachers to do it all. And it’s time for teachers to stop doing it all, putting up with it out of fear, pulling it all off at the expense of their own health and wellbeing. Can we not just let teachers teach without all the crazy?

The expectation for a teacher to be a super hero every day is overwhelming to some. It’s a daunting task that is met with defeat more times than victory. It’s a secret circle of comparison and one-upping that leaves so many good teachers feeling less than, unworthy, and questioning their calling. Expectations to do it all, and show it off, and be that super teacher are out of control.

Have you ever watched a super hero movie? There is always that part where they take their mask and cape off and become the “normal” person. You know, just going out to dinner or maybe even on a date. Well, there is always a caveat. The truth is, they are always on call. Something inevitably comes up and they have to leave that “normal” part of their lives to go save the day. 

When we compare ourselves to super heroes and strive to live out that title, we are always on call. There are no boundaries, and we don’t ever get to enjoy the time out of the classroom . . . or even our lunch or conference period. 

When did we start believing this lie? That having boundaries was bad? That not being able to do it all was bad? In order to be an effective teacher, there has to be some time to rest and recuperate. That is not self-ISH, it’s self-CARE. And that is being a great teacher. 

It’s not the call of a teacher to be a super hero. The call of the teacher has and always will be the welfare of our students - socially, emotionally, physically, academically. But this can’t come at the expense of our own health. The growing rate of teachers leaving the industry is staggering. Even more alarming is the amount of health insurance claims made by educators. We must protect ourselves for the sake of our profession, our students, and most importantly, our loved ones. 

As you savor the kind words and acknowledgements from your students & families, take a moment to appreciate yourself. The pressure we place on ourselves, the expectations we strive so hard to maintain are contradictory to our desperate need for wellness. 

Sweet teacher, you possess a unique set of skills. You have an expanded heart, capable of Jesus-sized compassion. You are a master at multi-tasking, a survival technique that is vital in your trade. You are creative and intuitive, patient and life-giving.

What you have been called to do is no easy task, and in order to weather the storms, you must tap into the one and only super power capable of restoring you - Jesus. He is your Strength when you are weak, your Love when you can’t take another moment. He is your Unfailing Guide, your Mighty Counselor, your Great Defender. He is your Peace in the midst of the storm. He is the true super hero. 

You’ve been given your body & your skill set as tools to carry out your calling. Don’t misuse them, don’t neglect them. Treasure them, protect them, take care of them. Your students, your co-workers, your loved ones, yourself - all deserve to feel the light from a strong, healthy, happy you. 

Take time to make your health and wellness your number one priority. Because teacher, you’re worth it.

Written by Jill Miller & Jamie Harrison