Beyond Burnout: Finding Your "Why" in Education Again

Hey there, fellow educators!

As the author of "Beyond the Lesson: Volume I," I wanted to share some reflections on the core ideas that drove me to write this book in the first place. These aren't just concepts I put on paper - they're principles I've lived through in my own classroom journey.

Remember Why You Started

Remember that moment when you decided to become a teacher? For me, it was watching a student's eyes light up when they finally understood a concept I'd been explaining. What was it for you? I wrote in the book that "your purpose must be greater than your pressure" because I've found this to be profoundly true in my own career.

When I'm having a rough day (and let's be real, we all have them!), I try to reconnect with that initial spark. Sometimes I'll even pull out my journal and write down a quick reminder of why I chose this path. It's amazing how centering this can be when everything feels overwhelming.

Embrace Those Messy Moments

Can I make a confession? Even after years of teaching and writing about education, my carefully planned lessons sometimes completely fall apart within the first ten minutes. That's why I emphasized in "Beyond the Lesson" that "perfection is the enemy of progress" and "real classrooms are messy."

The truth? My students probably learned more from watching me pivot and problem-solve on the fly than they would have from my perfect lesson. Real teaching happens in these unscripted moments. So next time your lesson goes sideways, take a breath and remember what I hope you took from Conversation 2: this isn't failure—it's an opportunity for authentic growth.

It's All About Relationships

You've heard me say it in the book: "Students don't learn from people they don't trust." Building genuine connections isn't extra credit—it's the foundation of everything we do.

I've practiced standing at my door every morning to greet each student by name. It takes just a few minutes, but the impact on our classroom culture has been incredible. What small ritual could you start tomorrow to strengthen your connections? Those intentional moments of presence matter more than perfection.

Protect Your Energy (Seriously!)

In Conversation 4, I challenged the notion of wearing exhaustion like a badge of honor. I used to pride myself on being the last car in the parking lot. Now I realize that wasn't dedication—it was a fast track to burnout.

Setting boundaries isn't selfish; it's necessary. For me, this looks like turning off email notifications after 6 PM and protecting my Sunday afternoons for family time. What about you? Where could you create one small boundary to protect your energy this week?

What Will Your Legacy Be?

Every day, we're writing our legacy as educators. As I noted in the book, "Legacy is built in the daily decisions no one sees" - those small moments—the extra minute we spend with a struggling student, the encouraging note we leave on an assignment, the time we admit we made a mistake.

I've started asking myself each morning: "What one thing can I do today that aligns with the impact I want to have?" It's a simple question, but it helps me focus on what truly matters.

Let's Take Action Together

Here at Academic Allies, I believe in reflection that leads to action. So I want to challenge you to try one of these this week:

• Write a quick letter to your first-year teaching self. What would you say?

• After a tough teaching moment, take five minutes to journal what it taught you

• Schedule one non-negotiable act of self-care this week (and actually do it!)

• Reach out to a teacher who changed your life, or write a note to a student who might need encouragement

I'd love to hear which one you try and how it goes! Drop a comment below or send me a message.

Remember, we're in this together. Teaching is hard, but it's also the most rewarding work in the world. I wrote "Beyond the Lesson" to help us all remember why we started and keep moving forward with purpose.

What's one small step you'll take this week to reconnect with your teaching purpose? I'm cheering you on!