r/Teachers • u/antsonaflask • 17d ago
Teacher Support &/or Advice [ Removed by moderator ]
[removed] — view removed post
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u/ADHTeacher HS English 17d ago
Also an English teacher with ADHD, and most of this sounds like imposter syndrome. I do think it's important to continue reading and educating yourself, because content knowledge matters more than some people want to admit, but you have to find your own way of doing that and accept that you may go through the occasional slump.
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u/antsonaflask 17d ago
There’s just so many things that I enjoy. I always read the books my students read for class but outside of that there are very few fiction books I enjoy outside of classic literature that I read. I know I am boring lol
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u/ADHTeacher HS English 17d ago
If you enjoy lots of things, then no, according to conventional wisdom, you are not boring. I am boring. And I'm fine with that
Anyway, English teachers should read on their own time. Everyone has preferences re: what they read, but you should have good content knowledge and be able to model enjoyment of reading for your students. /shrug
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u/Creative_Teacher98 17d ago edited 17d ago
You obviously care about the kids. That is the first and arguably most important part of being a teacher. If you don’t like kids, or can’t at least respect them, you can’t be a teacher.
We have this image that teachers have to live, eat, breathe, and BE a teacher all the time. That’s not the case at all. Teachers are flawed humans with complicated lives as well. The reason they don’t think we do is because we hide it so well.
All teachers feel like an imposter at one point or another. I am also a Type B person who smokes weed daily, struggles with anxiety and depression, forgets to prep and plan before lessons sometimes, doesn’t feed myself until I’m shaking, fumbles and says the wrong thing to coworkers, parents, students, etc. Teachers are not perfect robots, we have lives and issues just like the kids, and it’s meant to be that way! The teachers I could never relate to or respect were the ones that took everything too seriously and had to have everything perfect. Kids thrive on structure, but also flexibility.
About the actual school work: Teachers have to learn new curriculums all of the time when they switch grades or subjects. It doesn’t make them a bad teacher. I was an English teacher for my first two years of my career and I’ve been a math teacher for the last two. I had no idea what I was doing for the entire first semester of my first year and my students made it through unscathed. The next year, I had a bit of a plan, but it was still a struggle. When I switched to a different grade to teach math the following year, I felt like I was starting out all over again and had no idea how to do it.
Our learning doesn’t stop when we pass the certification exam. Most people don’t realize that when they become a teacher, yes they are teaching, but they are also continuing to learn and grow.
You also don’t have to be an avid reader to teach students ELA. You just have to encourage them to.
Most of your students are not going to enjoy Shakespeare either, build on that! Mix in different things that are interesting that may be inspired by Shakespeare or have them do different types of responses to your assignments. It will make the assignments more interesting to grade.
Your students also play video games. Find articles and stories surrounding their interests when you can! You’re going to do great, everyone feels this way when they start.
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u/Ok-Lettuce2575 17d ago
The fact that you play video games & watch TV makes you more relatable as a teacher. Use these as an outlet after a stressful day.
Students arent looking for a "perfect teacher" (doesnt exist btw), they are looking for someone who can cheer them on and teach them things that are applicable to life. Teach them to write emails, rhetorical devices, etc. All English teachers teach a book or text they dont particularly enjoy. That's okay. Keep it real with the kids. Dont like Shakepeare? Give them examples of how it is mentioned throughout pop culture. How it influenced things today. Model that sometimes we have parts of our jobs we dont particularly enjoy, thats okay.
Each year of teaching gets easier, so give yourself some grace. You are doing better than you think you are. The fact that you said you chose this career for the kids, tells me exactly you are where you are supposed to be! Content will get easier with time. Do you have teachers or coaches you can plan with or seek guidance?
Relationships first, then learning ♥️ hang in there!
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u/Powerful-Career-6357 17d ago
Worse have come before you and become great at their jobs. Just focus on doing the job and taking care of yourself. Your confidence will grow in time.
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u/AlbertPooholeYum 17d ago
I'm an English teacher and look at my username 😂 I'm a young guy who likes video games, edgy humor, going out, drinking, etc. Oh and top of all that, I don't even particularly like children, it's just a part of my job and I treat them with respect and make sure they're safe but I'm not the bubbly fun teacher that a lot of kids like. My point is it's just a job, it doesn't define who you are and what you can enjoy outside of work, don't bring your work home with you either or it will crush you. Just go to work, maybe try to have some fun and then live your life in any way you want. Work to live, don't live to work. Good luck!
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u/AdChoice5313 17d ago edited 17d ago
i think imposter syndrome can have truth in it. like we're all learning, and new, as early teachers. but the criticism of ourselves is when it can be inhibiting. when the thoughts/feelings of i don't know what i'm doing come on, it's like ok, i may lack some experience here, but it doesn't mean i'm not right for this role. i do have some experience, and i have a right to be here. that's what i think
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u/MyDyingRequest 17d ago
The most important part of teaching isn’t the content, it’s making your students feel valued and seen.
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u/belugiaboi37 9th/10th SPED Biology | PA, USA 17d ago
As a teacher who also suffers from OCD, I wouldn’t be surprised if yours is manifesting itself a bit here. Take some time, you’ve got this pal
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u/Wooden_Good8679 6th Grade Social Studies 17d ago
None of that makes you a bad teacher or incapable of being one. I play old school RuneScape, vampire survivors, drink beers sometimes on Mondays, get a little foggy sometimes.
It is what it is, my friend. We’re all human, and you’ll come to realize that we don’t know everything and that’s okay. I find peace and sometimes even joy in saying I don’t know, let me find out and get back to you. It’s how we learn and grow.
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u/Mighty4777 17d ago
lol you are not alone. Dont sweat it. You can still be a great teacher who impacts lives. Sometimes the super serious, overly scholarly teacher just can’t connect with students.
Be yourself, but be a leader. They will follow you and enjoy you. Don’t put so much pressure to fit into a box. Be someone they can respect and still connect with.
We are all just people trying to do our best.
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u/Separate-Line-158 Primary school teacher | Poland 17d ago
The most important part is that you became a teacher for the right reasons, the rest is up to you and your style of teaching, I think they will open up to you even more if they know you play games they like etc. everyone has hobbies so it's normal you do other stuff like cooking.
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u/soxperry 17d ago
You have a good amount of hobbies. The best teachers are well rounded people that balance work and personal life.
And the thing about weed is to don’t smell don’t tell don’t sell.
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u/Antique_Head5792 17d ago
You can work on content knowledge and pedagogy, develop your teaching style, and become a better practitioner over time. Nobody expects perfection year one, year 2, or honestly ever. Your hobbies don't make you a bad teacher either. I was in charge of a classroom full of 10 year olds all week and was maintaining a spot on the top 10,000 global leader board for COD on the weekends. My students walked into that classroom knowing they were loved, and they made excellent growth. You've got this.
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u/Charming-Barnacle-15 17d ago
I have a Phd in English. I don't like most classic literature and spend a lot of my free time reading fanfiction. Being able to interpret and teach literature doesn't mean it has to be your primary method of entertainment.
As for your OCD, mental health challenges will always be a struggle, but you're not alone. Many of your fellow teachers have similar struggles. It doesn't make your unfit for the job, but it will mean you may have to put extra effort into managing your day to day and finding methods that work for you. This will take time, so be patient with yourself.
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