“Teach Like a Pirate”

Wow, is all I can say. This school year has just flown by and I cannot believe it is already the middle of February! I don’t know about you, but I am in need of a little “teacher inspiration” right about now!

There have been many ups and downs this year. There were definitely more bumps in the road than I had anticipated, but overall it has been a wonderful second year teaching. I knew to expect some hardships as I learn to navigate a new school. But along with some more difficult days, there have been plenty of amazing learning moments for both my students and myself. We have learned and grown together as a class and have almost made it through the school year.

One thing I must say to all of the new teachers… hang in there. These first few years will for sure be the more challenging and difficult years of your life. But in the end, it will all have been worth it. Trust yourself and make sure to take time to unwind at the end of each day. Do not overload yourself with extras because that will only lead to exhaustion. For me, taking the time to read in the evenings and then write in my journal helps me to stay centered and focused. Without at least 30 minutes of “me time”, I would go crazy. I usually take the last 30 minutes before I turn my light out as my time to unwind.

Mid-school year slump

Now, at this time of the school year, I, like many other teachers out there have been feeling a bit burnt out. A fellow teacher recommended a book to help give me a boost to make it through these final few weeks. Teach Like a Pirate, by Dave Burgess, is full of inspiration for teachers who have been feeling less than inspired and who may be struggling to remember why they became a teacher in the first place.

Teach Like a Pirate

It provides some wonderful ideas about how to find your passion and incorporate that into your daily lessons even when you are not very passionate about what you are teaching that day. It is true, especially for an elementary teacher who teaches multiple subjects, that we do not LOVE everything we have to teach. Still, we must make sure our lessons are fun and engaging for our students or we will lose them. In this day and age where children are always watching television or on their electronic devices, teachers need to compete for their attention. It almost seems like we need to put on a circus act each day to make sure they are paying attention.

In a way, this is one thing I do love about teaching Kindergarten. It is so much fun! Each day is a new adventure and I get to be silly and have fun with my kiddos. But right now, I am feeling exhausted. That is why I am glad I found Mr. Burgess’ book, Teach Like a Pirate. I have found the motivation I need to keep going.

To all my fellow educators… hang in there! We are almost to the finish line!