I’ve been doing a lot of speaking and training events recently. Far and away, my favorite part of any event is meeting fellow educators and hearing your stories. Whether I’m consulting with staff in a particular school or giving a more general presentation at a conference, participants inevitably linger in the room to tell me their amazing stories. Some of the stories are uplifting and energizing—stories about wonderful schools full of hopeful teachers in a positive work environment. But more often than not, I also hear from educators who want to share their stories of struggle and hardship. However energized they may be by a presentation about improved workplace climate, they still feel stuck. Often their stories end with the question, “So, what do you think I should do?”
Last week I spoke at the Education Minnesota’s annual conference, hosted by the Minnesota teachers’ union. After my presentation, I spoke with a young woman who has been teaching for four years. In her own words, she said she’s presently teaching in the most “carcinogenic environment” imaginable. After only four years, she’s feeling like there’s no hope. She has tried to bring about change in her school. She has advocated for justice for herself and her colleagues. But her question really was this: Do I need to leave this school, or do I need to leave the profession?
What a question. We didn’t have long to speak, but I didn’t want to give her a pat response. First I suggested that she figure out how she’s going to get herself through this year without completely burning out. Does she have colleagues to whom she can turn for the hope, energy, and support she needs? Are there daily, systemic issues she and her colleagues can work through that will improve her ongoing experience of teaching in her building?
Next I asked her to consider the things she controls personally. Are there concrete measures she can take to keep herself and her happiness intact? Is she resting enough? Pursuing meaningful personal interests? Spending adequate time with friends and loved ones?
This woman’s story illustrated a difficult reality that, unfortunately, many educators face. My hope is that one poor school loses this good teacher rather than her burning out and leaving the profession altogether. But at the end of the day, the answer to her question will be hers and hers alone.
I hope that this young woman can do more than just “survive” this year. I hope she and her coworkers are able to effect change that improves their daily reality. And above all, I hope she can find opportunities that renew her passion for teaching.
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