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January 13, 2013 Instruction & Curriculum

Taking the Bitterness Out of Teaching: 4 Ways to Find Your Professional 'Breath of Fresh Air'

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

About Franchesca Warren

For fifteen years Franchesca taught English/Language Arts in two urban districts in Atlanta, Georgia, and Memphis, Tennessee. Increasingly frustrated with decisions being made about public education from people who were not in the classroom, in 2012 she decided to start a blog about what it was really like to teach in public schools. In the last four years, The Educator's Room has grown to become the premiere source for resources, tools, and strategies for all things teaching and learning. To learn more about Franchesca Warren's work, please visit www.franchescalanewarren.com.
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This whole month we're discussing teachers building their personal brands. Take a moment and read the previous articles here.

For years, I thought that being bitter came with the territory of being a teacher. When I  first entered the classroom, I was a bubbly person always volunteering to lead a committee or sponsor an after school activity; however, by year five I was burnt out.  Sensing I was becoming bored, I decided it was time to relocate to another city. Upon finding a new position I was re-energized, but by year three I gradually felt my old feelings coming back. I was once again feeling burnt out and bitter all over again. My feelings weren't toward the kids, but with the politics that run abound in districts and schools across the country. During faculty meetings, I'd find myself mutter angrily at new policies, scowling at the administration team, and smirking at the attempts at educational change. I was officially  a 'bitter teacher'.  

My frustration stemmed from a number of things such as the effects these 'new' initiative had on students in the classroom, about the pressures being placed on teachers, our pay being steadily decreased and our professionalism constantly being  'beat up' in the media.

Unable to contain my bitterness, I seriously consider leaving the profession- for good. Feeling like I was at my boiling point, I  decided to schedule a meeting with my mentor who is not in education.  She listened intently to all of my complaints then handed me a quote by Jim Rohn that read, "If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into some else's life plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." This quote seemed to speak to me directly. The problem was that I was living someone else's life plan.  

I reflected on my time in school and my time in the classroom and it seemed like I was always at someone else's will. During the last ten years, I had ridden the roller coaster many other educators had been passengers on. I had been promoted, switched school districts, taken several pay cuts, been furloughed numerous times, been looked over for a promotion to someone less qualified, was voted "Teacher of the Year", had cried and laughed. And I had become bitter. During all of those professional changes, the one thing that I realized was that I  had always waited on the school district to validate my worthiness.

When they didn't (by either not picking me for a position or by not respecting my professionalism) it literally had taken away my joy of being in the classroom.  Knowing I needed an immediate intervention, I decided that  I needed to start working on my plan. Overwhelmed by everything I had to do, I decided to take some time to really develop my plan by doing  the following things:

1. I took the summer off to recollect my thoughts. For the past ten years, I had worked every summer. Sometimes I worked in the district's summer school program, while other times I worked programs around the metro area. This past summer I did not work at all. Instead, I gathered my thoughts and just relaxed my brain. During this time, I really developed a plan for me as an educator. I made goals of where I wanted to be in the next year and the steps I had to take meet my goals. I even created a vision board so that I could visually see where I wanted to be professionally. Being off for 8 weeks allowed me time to actually research different opportunities and just take some time to renew myself.

2. I took advantage of professional development, which would make me a stronger professional.  Many times I avoided professional development because quite honestly it stressed me out. I always seemed to be in the session with someone totally unqualified to give advice about being in the classroom so I'd use my time to grade papers, etc. Instead of that summer, I took time and researched conferences, workshops, and webinars dealing with education. Through those professional development opportunities, I was able to really redevelop my professional plan and become excited about the essence of being in the classroom. It was refreshing to meet other teachers from around the country and understand that other teachers were experiencing what I was experiencing.  I networked with organizations and discovered some great opportunities for me professionally. Click here for tip #3.

3. I decided that once school started in the fall, it would be all about the kids- forget the cumbersome policies that weighed me down previously. Many times being in the classroom we're 'weighed down' with policies that seem to only frustrate us. Beginning this year, I decided that everything was about the kids and their learning and anything else was not necessary. Instead of signing up for 10 committees throughout the school, I only signed up for one and I limited the after school activities so I could focus solely on student learning and nothing else. So many times teachers are asked to do so much around the school, that by the time they get home they're exhausted. Limiting what I do outside the classroom, gives me the time to make it homes with enough energy to live my life.

4. I worked on my plan.  It's that simple. I worked (and am still working) on my plan. From day one, I kept my plan in my vision and I decided to work on that instead of trying to fit into other people's plans. I made mini goals every month so that the task did not seem so daunting and constantly I've reworked my plan. Instead of getting upset about minor setbacks (not being picked for a position,etc.) I decided to focus on making me a better educator. I still have moments where I get bitter about something trivial (passed up for an opportunity, or policy makes absolutely no sense, etc.) but those moments are rare and in between. Now, I spend time helping my co-workers overcome their bitterness and creating life plans. I've come to realize that my plan is for me. It doesn't matter at this point if the district every recognizes my 'worth' as a teacher. I recognize it and that's all that matters.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dave G says

    January 13, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    This is a GREAT article. I have to confess, after 20 years teaching, there are DEFINITELY still days I am the 'bitter' teacher, but when I breathe and take time for myself, usually the next day I am able to be refreshed.

    Reply
  2. Robyn Holbert says

    January 13, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    Great article...

    Reply
  3. Billie says

    January 13, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    This was great. I always tell people, remember that you are here for the kids. If you are expecting recognition from your boss, district, you are in for a big disappointment ! Do you feel in your heart you are doing right by the kids ? Yes ? Then screw everybody else. Also, when outsiders criticize our jobs, I invite them to come in for an hour to ATTEMPT what we do. I was getting bitter too. You need to pull in the reigns, take a look and make it work for you. Make YOURSELF happy.
    To the author, your first mistake was that you worked through every summer for ten years. We need that break. I worked like that also in the beginning and realized the toll it was taking.

    Reply
  4. Laura says

    January 27, 2013 at 4:31 pm

    I read Jim Rohn and listen to his great advice. He's one of my favorite mentors. Forward thinking has led me from teaching into the world of network marketing, which I love. It gives me time to be a teacher, mother, and stay in the sports I love while feeling rewarded and less worried about those pay cuts. If we keep doing what we are doing, we cannot expect a different result. Write your future differently. Expect more and give, give, give.

    Reply
  5. Judith Johnson says

    January 27, 2013 at 5:38 pm

    I am a teacher of 30 years...been there, done that. I decided a long time ago I was in the classroom for the students. I don't worry or stress about the things mentioned in the article that can make teachers bitter. I am confident that I am a great teacher...I bring energy to my classroom.....my students learn because I make a difference in their lives; most of those lessons aren't in a textbook.

    My summers are absolutely for me to refresh. I won't get extra kudos because I don't work throughout the summer. I won't get promotions because I quietly do my job with my focus on my students. I'm ok with this because I can sleep at night knowing I made a difference in the lives of my students.

    And seriously....so they really think people are beating down the doors to be first in line for my teaching job? I will be here until retirement...continue to grow professionally through activities that I deem beneficial, I will be here for my students, and ignore the politics. At the end of my career, I will be filled with joy & satisfaction of a job well-done. Life is short, so I live it the best I can as a great teacher and taking care of my well-being.

    Reply
  6. Crystal Webster says

    March 02, 2013 at 4:26 pm

    Great article! In year 23 of the profession, I find myself in the "burn-out" cycle. I'd love to hear some of the specifics of your goals/plans. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Charles says

    August 21, 2013 at 7:56 am

    Amen! As I embark on my 17th year in education, Ms. Warren's piece could not be any more timely! I will reflect on her advice daily! Thank you.

    Reply
  8. Sara Burns says

    August 21, 2013 at 8:42 pm

    Lovely article. This is exactly why I'm doing what I do. When I was a classroom teacher, I too was one of the frustrated, cranky ones. I too turned around my own experience, and positively impacted those around my by learning and doing one simple, but radical technique. I created and now lead a class designed for teachers called From Pain To Peace that shares how I did it. Teachers who take it loved it and referred their friends and colleagues. I"m working with a group of teachers across the country to teach the class in their communities. The class assignments meet (BTSA) California Teaching Credential, and NBC portfolion requirements and may be used to accrue points on a Salary Scale. I invite you to check it out if you're tired of not being peaceful, happy and energetic!

    Reply
  9. Ed says

    August 14, 2020 at 11:34 am

    I gave up my life to be a great teacher. It wasn't worth it. I'm filled with bitterness and sorrow all the time

    Reply

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