The One Thing You Should Tell Yourself to Find Contentment as a Teacher

Contentment and Teacher Life

Of all the words I associate with myself, contentment is not one of them. Growth mindset, lifelong learner, over-achiever – I got you! But contentment, well that has eluded me, especially in my teacher life.

I grew up hearing my mother say, “You are never satisfied.” And I wasn’t. For a very long time.

I chased shiny objects and filled a basement with bins and boxes of more teacher stuff than I care to admit.

Several years ago, I chose the word “contentment” as my one-word for the new year.  I knew there was work to do there and it seemed it was high time to do it.  I’d like to say that by the end of that year, I nailed it.  But that wasn’t exactly so. 

It continues to be a challenge for me, but I have learned one big thing along the way that has really helped. And here it is:

That’s it? 

Yup – that’s it!

(And feel free to change “teacher” to mother, daughter, runner, artist, whatever fits!)

Change the Message

As teachers, we are surrounded by messages that tell us otherwise. Every new idea comes with the “buy in” that we are not good enough as we are. Perfection shows up daily in our social media feed and we begin to think it is attainable. But it isn’t. Never will be.

Change the tape loop in your head and you will begin to find contentment. 

Your colleagues are signing up for a new summer course that promises to teach you everything you need to know about teaching reading, but you aren’t able to get kid coverage. 

Tell yourself, You already have everything you need to be a great teacher.

You see a post on Instagram of the latest and greatest finds at Target’s Dollar Spot. All your teacher friends are running out to the store, but money is tight.

Remember, You already have everything you need to be a great teacher. 

At the last minute, you’ve been asked to change grade levels and you have one week to set up your new classroom. Yikes!

That’s right, you already have everything you need to be a great teacher.

Summer courses, Target finds, and a month for classroom set up are all fine and good, but they won’t bring you contentment. 

Be the teacher that shows up on the first day of school with THAT in their back pocket. And I’ll bet you’ll have a great year! 

For more tips on teacher self-care and professional growth, check out the Growing as an Educator page in the Roots & Wings resource library.  

And here’s a FREE Teacher Reflection Toolkit you might use to be more intentional about changes you do choose to make to your instructional practices and teaching.