MAKING IT EASIER TO BE A BETTER TEACHER

YOU’RE DOING JUST FINE!

You’ve probably heard this before from people you know, but sometimes it helps to hear it from a random stranger on the internet:

You are doing a great job! 

Sometimes, your classroom may feel like organized chaos (let's face it, we've all had a crayon catastrophe or two…), and you might question if you're really making a difference.

But here’s the truth: you absolutely are!

Imposter syndrome can sometimes make you feel like you're a kid pretending to be a teacher at recess. But guess what? You earned that teacher's desk!

You’ve mastered the art of creating lesson plans that balance learning and fun, and you have the joy, pleasure and honour in preparing these young minds to go out in to the world ready to face the challenges of their day.

The fact that you worry about doing well means you care. For some students, you may be the only adult they receive kindness from that year, and though they may take a little time to warm up to you, you’re probably already a superhero in your students' eyes.

Some days are better than others, and you might feel like you're not getting through to that one student, but each day, you plant seeds of curiosity and kindness. And before you know it, you’ll see those little “aha” moments will be blooming everywhere.

You’re probably the reason they’ll remember the difference between “there,” “their,” and “they’re” or how to divide fractions, even if they think they will never use this again in real life (jokes on them when they one day have to split a bill with their friends).

Whenever those feelings of doubt start to creep up and rear their ugly head, remind yourself of your “Why”. It could be the joy in a student’s eyes when they finally get it, or maybe it’s the way they come to you with stories to share, or the endless collection of heartwarming (and sometimes hilariously honest) drawings they give you.

Every moment of lesson planning, preparation, grading and instruction is giving your class the gift of you! They may not see it now, or even at the end of the year, but you can be sure that one day, your students will look back and think “Wow, that teacher really cared”.

So, from one teacher to another, remember, you are doing a great job, even when in the moment, everything feels like it’s on fire. Take a deep breath and remind yourself: you’re not just teaching—you’re transforming lives.

Now, that's something to be proud of! 🎉

WHAT’S NEXT?

Hey teacher! You ROCK!🤘 

We’re so glad you took the time to read down this far in our newsletter! The PEN Weekly is here for teachers like YOU! We’re obsessed with providing you with insights and resources to help you in the classroom.

This newsletter will ALWAYS be free and chalk-full of wisdom from other teachers who have battled through the trenches, and earned their teaching stripes, just like you have!

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Do you know someone who would appreciate reading the PEN? Share this newsletter with them! Our goal is to reach as many teachers as possible, and to build a community of teachers supporting teachers. When we know that we're all in this together, suddenly, our toughest days aren’t so tough, knowing that there are other incredible men and women out there, working to make a difference in the lives of the young minds entrusted to your care.