Educators need many things to support wellness. Ecological hospitality was the topic I wrote about in the BUTTERCUP blog last month. I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot lately and wondered what makes a happy teacher. Not sure what the secret ingredient is for happiness, but I’m guessing it is not just one thing.
Many things make me happy as a teacher. The look on a parent’s face when their child reaches a milestone. The look on a child’s face when they see their parent for the first time after a long day. Getting back into a routine after vacation. A clean desk. Nice colleagues who are also friends. Many things contribute to my personal contentment.
When I was a new teacher, my mentor teacher Becky gave me a teacher survival kit. It had several ingredients in a cute little bag. Here were the items in the teacher survival bag with a description for each item.
The toothpick will remind you to pick your battles very carefully. If it won't matter in a week, a month, a year, or in five years, let it go. Life is too short to worry about the small things.
The paperclip will remind you that on many occasions it takes a simple, yet creative solution to help a classroom “hold it together.”
The rubberband will remind you to stay flexible.
The button will remind you to “button your lip” if you are about to lose control with a student, parent, or colleague. Cruel and angry words hurt, no matter what your age.
The tissue will remind you to wipe away your student’s tears after acknowledging their feelings.
The band-aid will remind you to help heal, rather than criticize.
The mint will remind you to tell the colleagues on your teaching team how important they are – “You are worth a mint to our team.”
A tootsie roll will remind you to roll with the punches.
The puzzle piece will remind you that without you, things wouldn’t be complete.
The eraser will remind you that everyone makes mistakes and mistakes can be erased.
The Starburst will give you a burst of energy when you need it.
The smiley face will remind you of the impact you are making for children and families.
The tea bag will remind you to take time out and relax.
What would go in your bag if you were going to make one for yourself? Finish this sentence: happiness is….