Weirdly, there is a connection between comparison and self-care tips for teachers. It may seem strange, but hear me out. One of the first-grade math standards is to teach students how to compare numbers. Teachers do lots of fun things to make the abstract more concrete, like using manipulatives to build the numbers as well as using alligator mouths as symbols. There’s even a catchy song you can sing, but I’ll spare you from getting it stuck in your head. (You know I love using music in the classroom.)
The goal of comparing numbers is to determine which number is greater than, less than, or equal to. Now, what if I told you that the idea of comparison doesn’t just stay in math class but spills out into the teaching world as well?
When it comes to self-care tips for teachers, this may be the most important one! Sadly, teachers can find themselves taking these concepts out of the math lessons we teach and instead comparing themselves to each other.
The result is the same—the act of comparison often leaves teachers feeling greater than or less than. This process hurts relationships, the profession, and, ultimately, ourselves. So, instead of comparing, what if teachers instead choose to celebrate?
Self-Care Tips For Teachers: Celebrate One Another
Teaching is hard. Your coworkers, administrators, and even the world are all saying that teachers need to be better at self-care. So when I start thinking of self-care tips for teachers, celebrating and lifting each other up seems to always be #1 in my mind. Here are three ways teachers can elevate the teaching profession by celebrating each other:
Let’s Celebrate the Differences
The truth is that no two teachers are exactly the same. Just like students, we bring different strengths, experiences, and gifts to the table. It’s important to remember that the table is big enough for each of us to have a place at it!
Let’s Celebrate the Victories
Whether it’s the teacher down the hall who just won a grant, she worked really hard on or a teacher you follow on Instagram who engaged her students with an incredible room transformation, celebrating each other’s wins promotes a culture where everyone thrives and is able to shine in their own unique way.
There are so many easy ways to show appreciation to your coworkers! You can do this with some encouraging words in person, a kind note in their mailbox, or even a sweet treat left on their desk! Personally, I think you can never go wrong with chocolate, but the goal is just to let the other person know how much you value and appreciate them!
Let’s Celebrate the Team
Teamwork really is the dream work. From your principal to the guidance counselor, to your grade level partner, to the hard-working custodian—each person on your team plays an important role and holds knowledge and skills that you can learn from! Use the team you have around you to ask questions, bounce ideas, and glean wisdom. Their expertise is not a threat. It is an invitation to learn and grow. Collaboration is the key that unlocks success not only as teachers but ultimately for students, too!
Let’s Be Teachers Who Celebrates Instead Of Compare!
Comparison is great for math, but when applied to other teachers, it leaves us feeling greater than or less than! While it can be easy to fall into the comparison trap, never forget that your students have been placed in your classroom for a reason! They need your heart, your personality, and your gifts to succeed!
Let’s choose to be teachers who celebrate each other’s differences, victories, and teamwork instead of getting stuck in the awful cycle of comparison! Do you have any other ways that you like to celebrate your coworkers? Let me know by leaving a comment below!! I’d love to hear!
Celebrate Coworkers With These Appreciation Gift Tags!
If you need a fun and easy way to show appreciation and celebrate your co-workers, then you’re going to love the resources below that I mentioned in this post!
- Click HERE for Appreciation Gift Tags
P.S.
Dear friend,
YOU are needed! The teacher next store to you is needed! Each of us has different gifts and personalities for a reason! I believe with my whole heart that each of your students has been placed in your room for a reason. They need YOU! So, while it’s good to learn and be inspired by others, focus on what we teach our students: “to do YOUR best!” Don’t allow comparison to rob you of the contentment, joy, and privilege we have of investing daily in the lives of our students!
~Becca
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