SELF
Dear Teacher,
I see you. I get you. I cry with you. I am you.
Teaching is one of the most demanding professions, but people on the outside don’t share that sentiment.
Many think our jobs are easy—that we are glorified babysitters and that anyone could do them. But I get it. I understand why you cry in your car when leaving the school parking lot because you lost it with your last-period class. Or, a parent yelled at you because their child got a bad grade. Or your principal called you into the office to berate you for your test scores.
It is no wonder that so many of us struggle with teacher imposter syndrome when so many people reinforce this belief daily.
What is teacher imposter syndrome?
Yes, most of us think thoughts on certain days, like, “Wow, that lesson bombed,” or “I really sucked today,” but teacher imposter syndrome is persistent.
We feel as though we are fooling everyone. We are frauds and can’t understand why anyone would want us as teachers. We think these thoughts daily, and we can’t shake them, which makes us want to quit teaching altogether.
Some of us are perfectionists, but there is no perfection in teaching. There is no perfect class. There is no perfect child. There is no perfect teacher.
Some of us can’t stop comparing ourselves to others.
“I need to do more fun lessons like Ms. Brown.”
“My bulletin boards are so bland.”
“The kids are out of control; everyone else has their shi@ together. ”
Teachers with imposter syndrome blame themselves for problems outside of their control.
The crazy part is that others view us as caring and competent teachers. We attribute any success we achieve to external factors like having a good class or luck.
Why are we so gosh darn hard on ourselves?
We fall victim to this nagging feeling in the pit of our stomachs that we just can’t shake for many reasons. Here are a few of the most common.
1. Teacher success is so subjective.
Are you successful if you have a quiet class? Or, is it if your test scores are good? Maybe you are successful if your lesson plans are long, your standards are on the board, and your bulletin boards are beautiful?
Maybe it’s all of the above, or perhaps it is none of these things. Maybe, just maybe, you will be successful if you compliment a student who hasn’t heard one all day, and they will remember it for the rest of their lives. Yes, maybe that’s it.
2. Poor leadership policies are enforced.
Dear admin, please remember how it feels to be a teacher. Micromanaging and criticizing without constructive feedback damages the entire school climate and leads to teachers feeling less than they are, causing teacher imposter syndrome.
A hyperfocus on testing also affects teacher and student morale. Instead, let’s focus on the whole child and the whole teacher. It is much more effective to build people up instead of tearing them down.
3. There is a lack of mentors and support.
Studies show that new teachers experience the most significant degree of teacher imposter syndrome in schools without mentorship. Our teaching programs in college or grad school don’t always prepare us. We need help from teacher leaders who have been there and can offer daily support.
In contrast, some schools have toxic teachers who tend to place competition above collegiality. These are the One Uppers, the “Look at Me, Folks!”, and the Backstabbing Bi@ch#$.
Run, run, run, faster than the gingerbread man from these teachers.
4. Lack of positivity and recognition
I am not talking about a special parking spot because you are Teacher of the Month. This type of teacher award system often contributes to teacher imposter syndrome. However, I am talking about verbal acknowledgment and simple expressions of gratitude. For example, principals could leave notes with positivity that praise teachers for their strengths.
A supportive environment is contagious. When admin builds up teachers, it trickles down. Teachers support teachers, and students help students. Positive energy makes teachers feel more successful.
How do we overcome teacher imposter syndrome?
You are better than you think. Trust me, you really are. There are many strategies to shake this uncomfortable and depressing feeling.
First, find your people and stick to them like glue. They will get you through. Positive teacher friends can and do relate. They know what to say because they have been there.
Second, forgive me here, but I’m going to use a buzzword. You need to switch from perfectionism to a growth mindset. Don’t expect perfection; expect better days.
Pick one thing to work on at a time. Don’t spread yourself too thin. I know, it’s easier said than done. Keep a wins journal to note your successes and combat negative self-talk.
Third, another buzzword…..but you must, must, must have excellent self-care. Prioritize your mental health by ensuring you are in bed at the same time each night, do things you love, or just take time to pet your animals.
Finally, tune out your inner critic and see teaching through your students’ eyes. Kids are tough, parents are tough, and admin can be impossible. And guess what? You are handling it. Kids will remember not what you taught them but how you made them feel.
You are better than you think you are. Say it. Believe it. Live it.
