Boundaries
Dear Bored Teachers,
I said it; I’m that teacher. I spend so much time on lesson planning, my lessons are cute and fun, and I just don’t like it when my coworkers or friends ask to borrow them. It just doesn’t sit right with me. But at the same time, I know I’m being selfish and that it doesn’t cost me anything to share them. It would make their lives easier and probably benefit their students. Am I a bad teacher and friend for being this way? Am I the only one feeling like this? It’s like I’m back in school when I was the only one on a group project doing the work, but everyone would get the A without doing anything!
Sincerely,
Is-Sharing-Really-Caring?
Dear ISRC?,
I get it. You put a lot of time into your lesson planning, and others, well… don’t. Here’s the thing with being selfless: it sometimes causes resentment. It is just basic human nature to expect others to contribute something, anything really. Don’t gaslight yourself by questioning your own valid feelings, as it will leave you with mixed feelings of guilt and anger.
Take one for the team?
If you play on a soccer team, and there is only one good player doing all of the work, will that team win? Probably not. That solo player will become physically and emotionally spent, and opponents relying on teamwork will prevail. In order to have a successful squad, the standout player becomes captain and teaches the others how to improve and work together.
You say it doesn’t cost you anything to share your creative lessons, but you are wrong. You are pouring all of your energy into creating amazing lessons at the expense of sacrificing time that could be spent engaging in self-care or leisure activities that would refresh your spirit. That’s a pretty high price, I would say.
However, sharing can be mutually beneficial if done in the correct way.
Here are some ideas that will help you to collaborate with your colleagues while developing an important and necessary balance between work and home.
1. Have a grade-level share session for lesson plans.
My team and I do this once a month. Each teacher brings a resource or a lesson that we explain and share with our team. We keep the items in a specific spot for teachers to access when needed. Everyone, including students, benefits from shared resources.
2. Try not to be a martyr.
Some teachers (not saying you) actively seek recognition and attention for their lessons by talking about them constantly, posting them on social media, and even offering them to others. They then get upset when teachers take them up on their offer. If you want to avoid this, don’t overshare. Teachers will not ask you for your lessons if they don’t know about them.
3. Share lesson planning.
If you are teaching in an elementary school, each teacher can do lesson plans for one subject. This reduces workload and enables each teacher to develop expertise in one area. If you teach at a secondary school, you can divide lesson planning by each week in a month or by a particular unit.
4. Find the strengths of others.
You obviously are sought out for your strong and innovative lessons, but are there other areas where your team members can offer their assistance? Maybe someone is good with technology or behavioral management. It is all about collaboration and finding a way for everyone to have more time.
5. Change your mindset to one of cooperation.
New teachers and many, many students can and should benefit from your lessons, but you don’t want to feel burned out and used. Most (I didn’t say all) teachers are so appreciative of someone that takes the time to offer their resources. Don’t be afraid to ask them to make copies or contribute materials for your lesson, as this creates teamwork and doesn’t make you feel isolated.
In closing, it is very beneficial to share. New teachers often don’t know where to begin, and veteran teachers are an invaluable tool. But everyone has something to offer and often want to contribute and feel helpful. Everyone wins and reaps the rewards from a collaborative school environment.
