Do you like the people you work with? Or do you merely tolerate them? Are they annoying or amazing? An enjoyable work environment makes all the difference. Supportive co-workers can get you through the worst year ever while negative comments can make it the longest year ever. Having at least one or two trusted colleagues makes all the difference.
I've said it before (and I'm sure I'll say it at least a million more times)... I LOVE MY JOB! Tell me, how many teachers are saying that, especially now. I love my job because I LOVE MY TEACHERS! I work with friends. Some closer than others, but all supportive and helpful. I know you're probably wondering what I had for breakfast this morning to make me so chipper, but it's true.
I do work in a unique environment - small school working part-time. That does make things a bit different. But even in larger schools you can find your special niche of buddies. Your own support team. The ones who know all your dirt (and love you anyway!). The ones who can offer suggestions, listen, cry with you, or make you laugh. I'm going out on a limb... but if you don't have that you may be at the wrong school.
I've worked in a larger school. I've always been blessed to have a special circle of friends around me. Friends that are still friends 20+ years later. We may not see each other daily but we stay in touch. They had my back then and now. I know I can trust them and go to them.
Even during my last year in the larger district I had my group of besties. And that's saying a lot if you know just how toxic that work environment was!
The year I removed myself from that mess approximately 35% of the staff left. The numbers were higher in the entire district. People continued leaving the following year, for various reasons. For many, the fight to get up and go to work was just too much. The negative environment was too stressful and too draining.
Teachers are under tons of stress and it just keeps getting worse. Without a supportive group of co-workers it's impossible to keep going. You might make it one or two years, but eventually the strain will wear you down. Good teachers are leaving the profession for lack of support in super stressful situations. If you have support, you can get each other through it.
Laughter really is the best medicine. There isn't a day go back at work that I don't laugh about something. Maybe I just happen to work with the funniest group of people in the world or maybe it's just that our joy is contagious. I think it's the second reason.
I really believe that the more you laugh or the more you are happy or the more you look for the bright side the easier it becomes to see good things and spread some joy. And the kids notice it. They notice that their teachers like each other. They watch our interactions. Our kids feel safe and content at school. Our entire work environment, from the top down, has been changed because of our positive choices.
I know some of you are saying, "Well, that's great for you Pollyanna, but I teach in a tough school with tough kids and even tougher colleagues. I don't have time to get to know my colleagues. Laugh? You've got to be kidding. I'm just surviving. I don't have time to laugh."
And I would answer, "It's time to find a new job. Life's too short to just survive. There are other jobs that pay more. Look for other opportunities. I've been there. Crying on the way to work. Crying on the way home. Forcing myself to get up after hitting snooze 15 times. Dragging myself kicking and screaming to my car. Then sneaking into the building to avoid the pit bull that called himself a principal. Making it safely to my room only to have it invaded with some kids that couldn't wait to go to the office to tattle on their teacher if I actually told them they had an assignment that was due today or they couldn't play video games in class. Been there. Done that. Left it behind and never regretted it. Not all schools are that way. Find yourself a new home away from home. "
The choice is yours. It isn't easy. I don't intend to make it easy. But landing in a place that you love, where you can actually teach is the most amazing experience in the world. You have to decide... will you love 'em or leave 'em?
(For more of Kim Frencken's writing, check out her blog, Chocolate for the Teacher.)
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