I left the classroom a decade ago, and I still get the "teacher dreams". Every August and September they kick in. It's usually I'm in a classroom teaching, but I'm hiding from the admin because I know I'm not supposed to be there. It's the same thing, every single time, every year. I am an online crochet teacher now, and absolutely love it, and know for a 100% fact that I will never return to the classroom (there's some trauma there, labour situations, board policies, not believing in what I was forced to teach, etc). I'm happy that you are excited about going back!
I retired during the pandemic, but after a three year hiatus I went back into the classroom simply because I missed it so much. Even though it isn't under perfect conditions such as teaching to the test, being asked to do exhaustive paperwork, too many meetings, student bad behavior, etc. the joy of teaching and interacting with students makes me happy.
Since COVID I have been feeling very overwhelmed because the students were so far behind and working to catch them up was so difficult. I spent every free moment planning and worrying and frustrated. This year I took the first few weeks of summer to do nothing. I’m not moving classrooms and I’m staying in the same grade. Now I’m spending 1-2 hours a day planning and my productivity has skyrocketed! Sometimes taking a break is the best thing we can do.
Oh Michelle. That perfectionism is such a joy thief. In my 29 years at this, it's always been lurking about! Sounds like you are heading back onto the freeway of teaching with a balanced life and your mad skills at the ready. They're lucky to have you!
Yes Michelle, You never had to be perfect to be a phenomenal teacher. I say this all the time. When that last day of the school year comes and all of the academic pressure is off of you if they come off loving you and hugging you , etc. in the end then that should be what marks a successful school teacher. - Dwight
The "I love you" story was a perfect analogy and so sweet. It made your point perfectly clear and anyone who's been in love can relate, and it makes perfect sense.
I love hearing about your teaching. I retired from teaching almost 11 years ago. I find myself wandering the back-to-school aisles. Anxiously awaiting your vlogs to see what you’re doing. Many blessings.
I have been so excited to see you making your return to the classroom! With so many leaving education - for good reasons - I am so glad to see you coming back to it with passion!
Happy Wednesday, Michelle! As always, I loved the clips from The Office. They just add a little extra spice to the videos. I think you have such a healthy perspective on going back to the classroom with having a plan for your gym routine, balancing out your interests, and trying out all the new curriculum. Best wishes as you continue training for Nationals in September! 💜
I saw you were going back into the classroom, Michelle. Congrats! 🎉 I have to go back and watch your playlist of your transition back into the classroom. I wish you all the best in the upcoming school year. 😊
Great video! Great job answering all the questions! More than anything else I’m looking forward to seeing how you balance it all and try to let go of the perfection piece. I’m the same way and my need for perfectionism tends to hold me back! I’m looking forward to continuing to learn from you on this new journey! You will be great and that school, is so incredibly lucky to have you! ❤
I totally understand!! I re-entered teaching after a 5 year hiatus. I left my last district after almost 20 years and it was not a nice goodbye. I swore I wouldn’t go back and even left ALL of my teaching materials at the old school 😭. Worked for an educational software company but like you siad, I wasn’t really “happy” and I didn’t know what was missing. The office job laid me off and that was a hit to my ego. I fell into a bit of depression and the. started helping a friend cleaning houses. After a particularly long and stressful day, that’s when I had my moment of realization - I wasn’t happy,I was exhausted all the time, I wasn’t making money, and I had no insurance-I questioned my life, prayed and God pointed me back to teaching! Last year was my first year back and I loved it. I’m excited to begin my second year. The puzzle piece missing to make me happy was being in the classroom. Glad you’ve taken that step and found what makes you happy too!
Take a sheet of paper and write the word IMPERFECTIONS. Go back and circle the word PERFECTIONS. Just remember that when it comes to teaching, there will always be imperfections, but within those moments, there will be perfections when you realize how much your students will grow over the academic year. When people look at a diamond, they see something beautiful, but if you were to look at it under an electronic microscope, you would see all of these flaws and jagged edges. Do your best to find those beautiful moments in life and in teaching. Thank you for your video presentation. Take care.
hi Michelle, i can feel your happiness & excitement! and also the positive pants energy! since i started watching your vids during the pandemic, i have always felt you are a people person. it's not surprising that being alone for the past 2yrs+ has caused your mental health to decline. glad that your mental health has improved since you made the decision! i am alao glad you always ask yourself honestly, what do i want to do daily/weekly/monthly/this year? and it makes you realise, that hey, i love being a teacher in a classroom, and i miss that, teaching children, and being in a achool community. btw don't be down about being a perfectionist. turn it into a strength. for me, you are thriving in your life, because you are a perfectionist. everything is organised in your brain, and in your life. and cos of that; when you are with people; you can really focus on what they are saying or telling you. and n class, it's a major strength. you got the lesson in your mind/teacher planner, so when something unexpected happens; a student falling sick suddenly; or a student needing a hug/listening ear for that day cos something sad had happened, you can focus on those personal needs, without losing track of your lesson! so don't put yourself down too much for haviing a perfectionist streak, use it to your advantage. i might be returning to the physical classroom myself this month. it's awesome that when i needed help with how to use Google Classroom, you shared it then. totally appreciate it! i haven't updated my cv in ages! i searched YT, and your vid popped up! i am having an interview tomorrow, so you did certainly help me land the interview with the sample cv! Thanks Michelle! ❤ i juz watched your teacher planner, so awesome! i am still a pen & paper person. however, if i do get the job, meaning more budger to spend, i hope to get a tablet so everything like you said is accessible online: laptop/tablet/phone so i need not worry about losing any hardxopy planner! loving all the Vlogs, keep them coming, all the beat to everything! ❤❤❤
Happy "Hump Day" Wednesday, Michelle! 😂 I am SO excited for you and your desire to return to the classroom!! I believe that we are all looking forward to your journey and adventure. Be blessed!🙏🏽
Congrats on your excitement. It will all work out!!! Side note, now you girls have to update your website because it shows that Bridget is still a teacher, and that you focus on PDs, but now is the opposite for both of you! Congrats again. You will do great!!!
I'm so excited for you! Same on being a perfectionist, and creating balance! I'm a teacher, and mom to two high schoolers, and the juggling act is alive and well!😂 We've got this! Excited to watch your journey! 🎉
I am excited for you! I teach in North Carolina! I teach Family and Consumer Sciences classes! I enjoy your videos and they have helped me so much on my journey!
Hello there, Michelle. I am a primary school teacher in England and used to watch you a lot but stopped after you left the classroom. Excited that you are back. From the outside looking in at the USA education system via teacher vloggers, it appears as if there are a lot of worksheets being used in US classrooms. Am I wrong? I will follow your journey back into education with great interest and wish you lots of happiness and fun. xx
You’re going to feel so complete (and tired at times) but going back was the best decision I made. Also, I’m surprised no one asked you about your teaching wardrobe! Get ready for needing to buy clothes. I donated all my clothes and had to purchase again. Save up this gift cards!
Regarding preventing burnout…it’s so hard to do but I learned to accept my own limits. There are only so many hours in a day. Teaching is something that can take up every single hour of your life. I’m not exaggerating. I think the only thing you can do is decide to just let things go. I have simplified many parts of my teaching. I don’t go over the top for all the holidays. I don’t have to correct every single sheet of paper. Things like that.
Are you going to vlog classroom set up? I am interested in see the process. I have been watching you for a while and you are an awesome teacher. I am glad to see you go back into the class room .
Love, Love, Love your videos. I look forward each week for new content. I have learned so much from you. I do have a question. Do you have a video or know of a great program to use as a digital classroom calendar that is interactive for the students to participate with on a smart board? I am trying to find one to use in my classroom.
I saw a video that you posted once where you showed how to add folders to the top tool bar of your computer for more efficient organization. I am changing districts, so I have a new laptop and I can’t figure out how. Do you remember which video that might be? Thanks!
Ahhh you answered my question! What you are saying about joy and perfectionism really made me think of Inside Out 2. Have you seen it yet? So good and thought-provoking.
I hope you have a good school district with great administrators. Texas does not have teacher unions with the same influence as other states. If you aren’t in a good district/school they can be somewhat “abusive” of your time and their expectations of what your personal vs professional life should look like. Stay strong. Also, not exactly sure which school district you are in(I could guess😅 and then this wouldn’t apply to you) but there are only 14 districts in the state of Texas that pays into Social Security. If your district does not, make sure you are making plans for being secure in your retirement. TRS retirement pay alone may not be enough and there are some crazy offsets/rules if you retire as a teacher in the state of Texas and whether or not you retire from a social security pay in district or not.
I bought your audiobook and honestly? You should record it yourself. It is painful to listen to, the woman does not have your spunk and it just sounds patronising or even sarcastic. Unpleasant. But I love these vlogs!!
