Why Your "Why" Is Vital
WHY YOUR
"WHY" IS VITAL
Regardless of when you first decided to become a teacher, there is something behind your decision—your "Why" kept you going through school, student teaching, and into today, where you manage your classroom every year.
By Joy Roberts | Friendzy Co-Founder and Social and Emotional Character Development Expert
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Did your "dream job" change from when you were seven to when you were a college student having to make choices that would impact your future? I know mine did. Even throughout college, what I wanted to be when I "grew up" kept changing. After changing my major nearly eight times, I finally figured it out.
What about you? Did you always know you wanted to be a teacher?
While some teachers have dreamed of this career path since they were children, teaching their stuffed animals in their bedroom classrooms, teachers take many paths to get where they are now.
Regardless of when you first decided to become a teacher, there is something behind your decision—your "Why" kept you going through school, student teaching, and into today, where you manage your classroom every year.
So, why is your "Why" so important?
Do you know your "Why?"
YOUR "WHY" KEEPS YOU GOING
When the going gets tough, people without a "Why" get going…running as far away from the complex situation as possible.
Right now, we are dealing with the learning loss that thousands of students experienced as a result of the pandemic and the negative effects it had on our education system; times are tough for teachers.
If you have a clearly defined reason for being a teacher—for enduring the long, stressful days and disrespectful students that are sure to come—you will have a reason to stay even when it is not so glamorous. Knowing your “Why” is how you overcome the challenges you face along the way.
““He who has a why can endure any how.” ”
YOUR "WHY" KEEPS THE JOY COMING
As a teacher, you will undoubtedly have days simply void of joy. When the chaos in the classroom increases, and you become overwhelmed and stressed out, it is hard to remember why you chose this crazy career in the first place. Knowing your "Why" keeps the joy coming back week after week, month after month, year after year.
And you need this joy! This joy helps you respond lovingly to your students. It enables you to keep a positive attitude in your classroom, at home, or with your friends. It gives you energy and motivation to do the hard work, to reach the lost student, and to keep showing up for the kids who need you. Your "Why" keeps the joy for you.
YOUR "WHY" IS MOTIVATING
What keeps you going through the dull days, the exhausting days, the long days, the days where you "fail" as a teacher or as a friend? It would help if you had a motivating factor. You need your "Why".
Your "Why" is what pushes you to continue, to get better, to try harder, and to get back up when you fall down. It is what keeps you determined to be the best teacher you can be, even through the chaos
REMEMBER YOUR "WHY" AND SHARE IT
we encourage you to remember your "Why". Think back to the first time you decided you wanted to be a teacher and how it felt crossing that stage at college graduation, walking into your future ready to help students and make a difference in the lives of young people.
YOU ARE DOING IT.
You are living out your "Why" every single day.
YOU’RE AWESOME.
It is important to remember your "Why" and share it with your students, too. This will help them understand more about you and your heart for the classroom and provide a great opportunity to ask your students what they want to be when they grow up. Encourage them to think about their "Why" and encourage them in their passions.
REMEMBERING & DEFINING YOUR WHY | JOURNALING EXERCISE FOR EDUCATORS
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