Being Better

I really appreciate this quote below by Maya Angelou, because we often beat ourselves up as educators about what we can do better.  There are times that we just don't know what we don't know.  This is fact. 

As we gain more experience with the craft, we are able to make more informed decisions about our craft, our learners, and how to navigate things like standards or grade level expectations. 

One thing I see all the time with new teachers and new teachers to the PYP, is they put so much pressure to be perfect in everything that they don't have a focus.  They burn out by trying to be like all of the other veteran teachers, so they don't look less competent.

Please stop.  You are doing a wonderful job.  You are doing your best.  You can't do any more than that. If you do, you may burn yourself right out of the teaching profession. 

A friendly reminder, it takes 5-10 years to feel like you have some grip on this thing called being a teacher.  Don't buy into the myth that anyone can do it.  Teaching is a craft that is built over time, so be kind to yourself. 

When you learn better in the future, be better.