How to love teaching again
Have you lost your spark for teaching? Do you want to love teaching again?
This post is just for you!
Teaching is a hard gig. I don’t know any actual teachers who would argue this point.
I know a lot of teachers who started out in the profession and LOVED it.
But… the endless nights marking, the disrespect from students, and the constantly moving goalposts from administration meant they fell out of love with the profession.
If this resonates with you then you are in the right place!
This was also me. But I have re-found my love for teaching and I am excited to share some of the things I found helpful along the way in the hope that they may also help you re-ignite your love for teaching.
There are many things that are out of our control as teachers. I just wanted to pause here to say that this blog post is not about dwelling on things we cannot control. Rather it is designed to give you real options for finding your way back to the love of teaching you once had.
So grab a coffee and sit back and relax while I give you some strategies to help re-ignite that flame!
Disclaimer: This blog post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something from these links I may get a small commission to help support this blog (with no extra cost to you). Read full disclaimer here.
If you are reading this then I know two things about you:
1. Firstly, you have lost the spark you once had for teaching.
Probably not because of the actual teaching, but because of all the other things I mentioned earlier. You’re exhausted. You are not sure this is sustainable anymore. You’re no longer sure that this is the profession for you.
I’ve been here too. Actually, I’ve been here multiple times.
2. Secondly, and more importantly, you are not ready to give up! You want to love teaching again!
The fact you are reading this blog means you are not ready to let go of the profession you once loved. Good on you! You are amazing. Even in the thick of it all you are looking for a solution!
So, how do you reignite the teaching spark?
Firstly, rediscover your ‘why’.
Take a moment to think about what got you excited to teach in the first place.
What was it that you loved about the idea of teaching?
For me, it was that feeling that I had really helped someone else. Sounds selfish when I say it like that. That I only liked teaching because it made ME feel good about helping others. But do you know what? I truly believe we have been made to get that feeling when we help others. It is what makes us human. It is THAT feeling that keeps me going back. That feeling that I am making a difference in the lives of others.
Rediscover your ‘why’ again.
That part is easy. But what happens when that feeling goes away? Or what if your original ‘why’ is no longer relevant?
I have been teaching for over 10 years and there have been many times that the spark I had when I started, was diminished. And if I’m honest, its not the teaching part I fall out of love with. It’s everything else. The office politics. The staff room gossip. The forever increasing administration. The constantly moving goalposts set from those who have been out of the classroom too long.
So how do you get it back? What can you do?
Appreciate the edu-book is a crowded market, but there is definitely room for a book on how knackered teachers can cope. 'Teach like you're shattered', 'Tired Teaching', 'Making Every Lesson Exhausted', 'The Sleep Rainforest.'
— Jamie Thom (@teachgratitude1) November 8, 2021
6 ways to love teaching again
Here are my 6 C’s for how to love teaching again (and stay in love with teaching):
1. How to love teaching again: Create
Create something.
Being creative is good for the soul and can help you be excited about something you are in control of.
There are so many things that are out of your control as a teacher. Take ownership over the things you can control and find joy in completing a project of your own.
Therefore, create a new resource, a new classroom display, a new way of assessing, a new program. Create something that you are proud of.
2. How to love teaching again: Connect
Connect with other teachers who love what they do.
A big part of keeping your own flame burning is being a part of a team. Knowing you’re not in it alone and also being with like-minded people who are on the same path as you, or who have been on that path before. Seeing passion and love for the profession bursting from others can help fan the flame for you too.
We are so blessed to be able to have so many ways we can connect with other teachers. Whether it be through professional network systems, Facebook groups, LinkedIn, conferences or webinars.
3. How to love teaching again: Contribute
Contribute to others in the profession.
Contributing to others in the profession may help you find purpose and excitement again.
While your students and perhaps even your current staff team may not be appreciative of your efforts, there are so many teachers out there craving your experience and ideas. By sharing with them you may find a new purpose in your career and reignite that passion for education.
Where can you go to contribute?
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At school!
You can start by contributing to your staff team. Share your resources with them. Spark conversations about pedagogy in the staff room.
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Professional networks
There are many networks out there that have opportunities for teachers to contribute whether it be by presenting at a conference, presenting a webinar, participating in an online forum or discussion. Start small and build up!
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Facebook groups
There are so many active facebook groups dedicated to teachers. There are lots of ways to engage with these:
- Engage by creating your own post in a group to spark discussion.
- Reply to someone else’s post.
- Reply to someone else’s comment on a post.
- Share one of your resources with the group
- Ask the group for their ideas for a lesson / problem etc.
4. How to love teaching again: Conference
Attend a conference.
Conferences have a way of providing new ideas and atmosphere that get teachers buzzing with excitement.
If you have the opportunity to attend a conference with a like-minded teaching friend then your ‘buzz’ could be tenfold. Having someone to talk about what you learnt with and discuss the new concepts and how you could apply them to your context is priceless. This also allows for the excitement of the conference to last longer as you return to school together and implement those new ideas.
If you can’t get to a conference then I highly recommend watching some TED talks. Here are my top 9 TED talks for teachers which will make you laugh, challenge your thinking and inspire you.
5. How to love teaching again: Communicate
Communicate with your administration, colleagues, family and students.
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With your administration / leadership team
Have you tried to communicate your feelings or frustrations with your team leader or administration staff?
While it can feel hard to approach them with your thoughts, it is worth trying to communicate with them to find some sort of solution.
Depending on the reason you feel you have fallen out of love with teaching, it could be that small changes from your leadership or administration staff could make a difference. Even just setting out to have this conversation could help you pinpoint the exact issues that you feel are weighing you down.
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With your colleagues
You may not be the only one feeling this way. Sharing your feelings with your colleagues could help you find someone who is also seeking to re-ignite their passion for teaching.
Setting out on the path to love teaching again with a colleague could give you both accountability and someone to bounce ideas off.
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With your family
Your family may have already picked up on the fact that you are falling out of love with your profession. But it could be worth talking through some solutions with them. They may have some helpful insight into what may help you move forward. Whether it be setting some boundaries regarding bringing work home, helping you to use weekends for your own mental health, or just reminding you what you used to love about teaching.
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With your students
If you follow me on Instagram you will have heard me harp on about building relationships with your students. Why? Because the more time you spend with them, the more you will enjoy spending time with them. They have personality and a sense of humour. They are fun!
Building positive connections with your students may remind you why you used to enjoy teaching.
6. How to love teaching again: Change
Change your position, school or (last resort) career.
Are you in a position to change your role or loading? Could you chat with your principal about changing your grade level, subject area, classroom, or how many days you work? Is there an opportunity to apply for a promotion or take on a leadership role?
They say change is as good as a holiday!
What if none of these changes are available to you?
Maybe it’s time you had a bigger change of scenery. Maybe it is time for you to apply for jobs in other schools, districts etc. It could be that you have lost your spark because you’ve outgrown your current school and need a different kind of challenge. When I was feeling super flat after a few years at my first school it really helped changing to another. It gave me a new sense of purpose, new challenges and different people to connect with.
If you are currently at the point where you are thinking you need a complete career change then I do believe it is worth trying a school change first. What have you got to lose?
What if I just can’t do it anymore?
I do want to add here that if you are reading this blog post then I feel you are really wanting to stay in the teaching profession. But I also want to add that you shouldn’t feel obliged to. It might be time for you to chase a different dream, and that is ok!
Conclusion
Teaching is a hard gig. It’s important you don’t try to push through it alone.
Create, connect, contribute, conference, communicate and change to reignite that spark.
Let me know in the comments below if you try any of these! I’d love to hear your stories and if any of these suggestions helped! Alternatively, please send me an email to connect here.
Share the love!
Share this post with others who may be struggling to love teaching at the moment.
Did you find this helpful? Have you got some tips of your own on how to love teaching again?
Please comment below!
Written by Katrina
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Retention is such a big issue in teaching. Great to hear your insights and strategies for teachers who are burnt out to fall back in love with teaching. Keep inspiring us all!
Yes it’s so sad that we lose so many great teachers. Thank you for your kind words!
I’ve tried all 6 C’s, and they work. Maybe everyone didn’t like me following the 6th C, but I sure am enjoying my new place where I can impact many more, new staff and students and encourage them to learn.
So great to hear you’ve found success with all the C’s. They do say that change is as good as a holiday! Best of luck with your endeavours at your new school. I am sure they are also enjoying having you there.