The Resilient Educator by Jaclyn Reuter

Author:Jaclyn Reuter [Reuter, Jaclyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781735240909
Publisher: River Valley Publishing
Published: 2020-08-10T22:52:19+00:00

Part Three

Our Priorities

‘Education is not the filling of a pot but the lighting of a fire.’

—W.B. YEATS

CHAPTER 8

Who or what is most important?

The very first time I interviewed for teaching jobs, I tried to sell myself as a 100% all-in teacher who would put everything I had into the job if they would just give me the chance to show them. Now, years later, I look back on that and wonder what I was thinking.

Granted, I do tend to be an all-in person. When I’m at school, I try to give it my all. When I’m at home, I want to give my kids the best version of myself possible. When I take on a new project, I focus all of my energy on it. Being all-in can be a good thing until it becomes a liability.

When I throw myself into what I’m doing and block out everything else, that tunnel vision mentality often means that I neglect other areas in my life. When I treat my current task as the only important thing, I am often disappointed in my lack of follow-through elsewhere. For example, when I threw myself into grading in the hours after my children go to bed, I forgot to prepare their outfits for a dress-up day at school. I felt like a good teacher for getting the grading done, but like a bad mom for missing “Beach Day” for my kids. When I went all-in as a homeschooling-in-the-summer mom, my house was a disaster. I felt like I was doing a good thing for my kids, but failing as a homeowner.

When I reflect upon that first job interview, I wish I could go back and change my responses. Being 100% all-in at all times is simply not practical. When you are a teacher with a life outside of school, the two sometimes have to co-exist on your to-do list. At my latest job interview, I tried a different tactic. This time I didn’t give them the answer I did when I first started. I didn’t promise 100% commitment to the job. I told them the truth. I have a clear priority system worked out that puts my family first, with no exceptions. I waited for them to react negatively, but instead, I was met with understanding and respect for my position as a working mom.

I learned that while schools want their teachers to be committed to their work, we aren’t living in the early 1900s when schools wouldn’t hire married teachers or teachers with lives outside of school. Schools want to maintain their teachers. They want us to feel fulfilled so we will stay on and continue teaching, even when our lives outside of school get busy. I have come to realize that being honest about who and what is most important to me has earned me respect and understanding from my employer.

Are there any other to-do list people out there? Not just me? Ok, good. Because I honestly don’t know what I would do without my lists.

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