Feeling Disillusioned About Teaching? Here's Why

Click the play bar below to listen to this week's show now:

Show Notes:

During your first year teaching, research shows you experience six different phases as a teacher. These phases can dramatically impact your feeling toward teaching and question your ability to teach. The third phase is disillusionment, which typically happens in the months of November and December.

Unfortunately, first year teachers typically have negative thoughts about not managing their classroom, chatty or disruptive kids, or uncertainty about handling behavior issues, and the disillusionment phase makes it seem that all those thoughts are true. However, you know they are not! So now it comes to learning how to navigate these negative thoughts during this phase.

Even though I’m not a beginning teacher anymore, I still remember when I too had negative thoughts and questioned my teaching ability. I learned how to handle these thoughts using three strategies, which I’m sharing with you in this episode. Each strategy asks you to change your mindset and language towards yourself during difficult situations. Additionally, they ask you to examine your teaching expectations versus the reality of your situation.

Your first year of teaching is definitely a roller coaster, but it's important to note that you're not alone in the feelings and negative thoughts that you have, and there's ways to get past these thoughts. With the right tools and strategies, I encourage first year teachers to focus on and celebrate your accomplishments and how far you’ve come rather than your negative and inaccurate thoughts in the disillusionment phase.

We know that classroom management is more than just managing students, so inside The Classroom Management Club, I also help you manage your mindset and encourage you with a supportive community. With countless resources and trainings to use in your classroom that are stress-free and effective, I want you to join the club that helps you manage all aspects of your life.

Inside this week's show, you'll learn:

• 3 strategies to help you navigate the disillusionment phase and how they change your mindset
• Characteristics of disillusionment and how they’re connected to teaching
• How to show self-love to yourself through expectations versus reality
• The importance of sleep and how it correlates with your response to situations

Links & resources mentioned inside this episode:

• “Phases of First-Year Teaching” by Ellen Moir
• Sleep and Mental Health: Harvard Health Publishing by Harvard Medical School
• Join the Classroom Management Club.  
• Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card by leaving a review for Beginning Teacher Talk on Apple Podcasts!
• Follow Dr. Lori on Instagram.
• NEW! Follow Beginning Teacher Talk on TikTok.    

I hope this information is helpful as you prepare for your first, second, or third year of teaching. Until next time, remember, just because you're a beginning elementary teacher, there's no need for you to struggle like one.

💛 Lori

Dr. Lori Friesen | Beginning Teacher Mentor

Creator of the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy, Dr. Lori Friesen has mentored thousands of beginning teachers across the country through her workshops and courses. Host of the popular podcast, Beginning Teacher Talk, and creator of the innovative literacy program for 1st and 2nd grade, Dogs Help Kids Read and Succeed, Dr. Lori is dedicated to serving educators and inspiring learners. Learn more at drlorifriesen.com and at howdogshelpkids.com.

Want to listen on a different platform? Here are the links:

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts.

Click here to listen on Spotify.

Click here to listen on Stitcher.

Click here to listen on iHeart Radio.

Related episodes you might enjoy:

• Episode 261, What to Do When You Have a Chatty Class: Part One
• Episode 145, The Disillusionment Phase: How to Get Relief Now
• Episode 143, The Phases of First-Year Teaching
• Episode 46, How to Stay Motivated and Focused When it Feels Hard

Follow:

Are you following my podcast? I release fresh, new content every single week and I don't want you to miss out! 💛  Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts.

Leave a Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you are loving the podcast, I would be so grateful if you would leave me a review over on Apple Podcasts. Each time you leave a review, Apple Podcasts recommends my podcast to other new teachers so they feel a little less alone as they navigate their first few years of teaching. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know how this podcast is helping you inside your classroom!