Best Feelings as a Teacher

It’s no secret that teaching is hard, with an extremely high burnout rate coupled with low pay and respect – it can be hard to be motivated to do it every day. Over the years, I’ve found there are just some feelings that make it all worthwhile. Moments where my teacher heart swells. Some are kind of silly (looking at you number 4), but the majority of them focus on students and coworkers making teaching the best job in the world. Without any further ado, here are 13 of the best feelings as a teacher that I’ve experienced in my seven years of teaching. 

1. When a student tells you that you are their favorite teacher. Bonus fuzzy feelings if it’s in front of other staff members.
2. That one student you’ve been working on building a relationship with all day, week, month, YEAR, shows progress and that it’s working!
3. Being told by a colleague that you’re a good teacher. Just melt my heart and remind me I’m awesome, why don’t you?!
4. A canceled staff meeting. Let’s be honest – almost every single one could be an email!
5. Looking out at your classroom and every single student is working on the assignment. It doesn’t happen often, but gosh, it’s refreshing. 

6. Watching a student grow up over the years and graduate. Seriously, my advisory graduated this year and thinking back to what they were like as freshmen to graduates just makes me so happy. 
7. The genuine happiness from when students see you after a break.
8. A lesson just clicks. Everyone in class is engaged and participating. You use up every single minute of class time well. It all ends, you say your last word, and the bell rings to release the class – but you don’t even know because no one was packing up since they were invested in it. *chef’s kiss*
9. Hearing from students after they graduate and they tell you what they’re doing now. Just so much pride in them. 
10. Students telling you that you’re a good teacher. So often, I feel like I’m struggling, but then they say “nah, you’re great.” Thank you, now I have something in my eyes. 
11. When you’re teaching and every single student is paying attention. Doesn’t happen that often now with cell phones!
12. Meeting parents and families of students outside of school – and they’re happy to see me. Usually means that either the student talks positively about me or the family likes what I’m doing. Or both 🙂
13. Students are able to demonstrate what they’ve learned. Within my AP class, when I hear the academic language and solid explanations of why something is being done – my teacher heart gets so happy. 

These thirteen feelings fill my cup as a teacher – keep me going to be my best for my students. Are there feel-good stories or feelings you want to share? Share in the comments below so we can smile with you!