Thankful to be a Teacher

November is rough in the classroom. I mean really rough. October was tough, but things just get rough in November. Every year I think it will be better, but every year it is rough. It is hard to remember during these times why you do what you do every day, but sometimes that is exactly what we need.

When the going gets tough, I like to count my blessings. Today I bring to you, why I am thankful to be a teacher.

I Have Purpose

I don't think that any teacher doubts that they have purpose, but I think sometimes we may take it for granted. There are a lot of people in the world who have no idea what they are doing on a day to day basis, but we, as teachers, have a defined purpose each and every day. 

Our students are what it is all about, and we certainly do our best to be our best for them. 

I Have Community

All of my absolute best friends in the world are my teacher friends. From the teacher next door to the teacher I met online, and have never met in person, we are all friends. Teaching as a profession is like no other. We celebrate one another's accomplishments and cry for one another when the going gets tough. 

We pull together to create the most amazing community of people, and for that I am ever grateful. 

I Have Laughter

Sometimes I am laughing at something a student or colleague did, and sometimes I am just laughing at myself for having mixed up words or having just tripped over the same rug that I trip over every day. 

There is no shortage of laughter in teaching, we just have to see it. 

I Have Responsibility

Responsibility is a double edged sword, but if we are being honest we know that it makes us better people. Just like having a specific purpose in the classroom, our responsibility to our students is the driving force behind what we do. There is no way around it. 

If you are not thankful for the responsibility of shaping young minds and growing our next generation of amazing people, then I am not quite sure what to say. 

I Have Excitement

You can say a lot of things about teaching, and they would all be true, but you can NEVER say that teaching is a dull profession. Have you heard of Kids Say the Darnedest Things? 

They sure do! They also do the darnedest things too. Nothing about being in the classroom is dull. Every day is exciting, and usually in the best way that you could have never planned.  

I Have Humility

Kids are honest. Brutally honest. One day I thought I was hot stuff with my new haircut and super cute dress. I went trotting into the classroom and awaited the compliments from my students that I was sure to be showered with. I mean, I had even put on make up that day. 

First student walks in, looks at me, and says, "Are you supposed to have a sock on your butt?"

No, no child, that is not on purpose. Let's have an impromptu lesson on static energy for a moment shall we. 

Basically, our students keep us humble, and for that I am thankful. 

I Have Goals

I have goals for myself, my students, our school, and my profession as a whole. Part of being a teacher that I love is the constant growth. There is never a time in which I am stagnant in my journey, and that is something that is so unbelievable and amazing to me. If this feeling ever goes away, I will know that it is time for me to leave education. 

Right now, I am out of the classroom and my goals are to help make teaching and education as a whole a better place to be, but one of my goals is also to return to the classroom. 

I Have Inspiration

I am inspired every day by students, colleagues, administration, and you my dear readers, you. There is so much inspiration to be found in teaching that I often find myself overwhelmed by it. I cannot contain myself when I see a teacher doing something engaging with their students, and I don't want to. 

I love being inspired by others to constantly better myself, and make education as a whole better as well! 

What are you thankful for?

I want to hear it! Let me know what you are thankful for in teaching in the comments below! 

Want More Quick Teaching Tips

Subscribe to get our latest blog posts by email.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Email Address

I'd like to receive the free email course. Powered by ConvertKit