An open letter to all my teacher friends…Really, how are YOU?

Dear Fellow Teacher-Friend

I’m just going to be honest.  I’ve been racking my brain with how to be a support to teachers during this time of change and uncertainty, but I think I’ve been listening to myself instead of reaching out to hear what you have to say.

So that’s what I’m trying to do right now. 

Now that you’re almost a month into teaching online with a variety of different expectations, living in small spaces with your family who are all needing different things at different times, potentially experiencing a myriad of emotions from both yourself, your students and your family, what do YOU need?

In Pennsylvania, we were just told that our schools will not go back for the remainder of the school year.  It’s left me feeling a little unmoored, but I also appreciate the knowing.  My inclination is to get down to figuring out what I’m going to do.  I am questioning if that’s the right answer right now.  

I haven’t really given myself a break.  I haven’t really just felt what I’m feeling and digested the reality of what we need to do and the potential of what that means on the horizon.  I know one thing I’m guilty of is moving into solution too quickly without fully feeling the complexity of the situation.

What about YOU?

If you took a moment to just breathe, pause, and reflect…what are you powering through?  How is it working?  What do you want to change?

I created Teaching Well in 2016 with the vision of this being a place where we as teachers fill our empty cups.  I still fully believe in this vision, but I realize that I’m not taking the time to fill my own cup and in my haste, I may be missing some information from all of you about what you want or need in this space of nourishing  your own health and well-being so that you can be your best both inside and outside the classroom (regardless of what the classroom actually looks like right now!).

So if you have read this far…Thank you!  And if you have some thoughts, PLEASE email me at danielle@teachingwell.life and let me know about any of it:
-What’s your biggest challenge?
-What’s working?
-How we can create this “teaching well” together?

Thank you for being part of my extended teacher community.  Please know that I’m listening.  I can’t wait to hear what you have to say.

To teaching well,

Danielle

P.S. One thing I’m going to continue (at least for now) are the mindfulness practices at We are Teaching Well.  Check it out and let me know what you think OR if you’ve watched/listened let me know what I should keep and what could be changed.  We “meet” most Thursdays at 6:45 am Eastern.