This is not a guest interview — it’s my story.
That kid in your class who learns differently and feels impossible to reach within the structures of how we do school? That kid could have been me.
That kid who has side conversations all the time and doesn’t follow directions? That kid could have been me, too.
That kid who skips class and seems totally disinterested in your lessons — the one who’s flunking out and doesn’t seem like they’ll ever amount to anything? That kid could have *definitely* been me.
Listen in as I publicly share my own journey as a student for the first time.
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I get a lot of listener-submitted questions that could be tough for me to offer advice on without knowing the specifics. I’m going to answer a bunch of them in this episode from a big picture perspective, and give you my single best piece of advice on each topic.
We’ll cover sticky situations like administrators who play favorites, releasing control to student teachers, supporting colleagues when morale is low, lack of student motivation, kids who can’t handle choice, anxiety over teacher evaluations, forced collaboration with colleagues who over-complicate things, and more. Check out this quick-paced episode for some practical advice.
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An introvert isn’t necessarily quiet or shy. For an introvert, being alone provides the energy that’s needed to enjoy being with people. (For an extrovert, being with people provides the energy that’s needed to enjoy being alone.) It’s all about what energizes you.
So if you’re an introverted teacher, how can you take some of the spotlight off yourself in your instruction, avoid the energy drain that may arise when collaborating with colleagues, and find moments in your day to be alone and rejuvenate?
Check out this blog post/podcast interview with Betsy Potash of the Spark Creativity podcast as we discuss our experiences as introverts in the classroom.
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There are 4 core beliefs that can help you strengthen the courage to focus on what matters most:
✔️I am worthy of change and better is possible for me right now
✔️I set my own expectations in life and in teaching
✔️I know what’s important and allocate time accordingly
✔️I ensure my needs are met to prevent overwhelm and exhaustion.
When you’re overwhelmed with all expectations and responsibilities placed on you, the most important step is to STOP and get clarity. Figure out what matters most so you can do fewer things, better.
Of course, it can be tough to give yourself permission to let things go, and difficult to say NO to others.
That's where these 4 core beliefs come into play, because once you've internalized them, both clarity on what matters AND the courage to take charge of your time become possible.
Listen in on this week's podcast episode (which is based on my new book, “Fewer Things, Better”) to learn what each of these 4 beliefs could look like for YOU.
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