The Great Teacher Resignation Is Here: How To Stay Motivated In 2022
As educators are transitioning to new fields and roles, the world can see a Great Teacher Resignation coming in 2022. Here are ways you can stay inspired and energized to continue teaching in your classrooms.
The year 2022 has brought in with it some bad news for teachers. With so many educational surveys and experts suggesting the Great Teacher Resignation in 2022, the educator community is feeling demotivated and pessimistic. The National Education Association 2021 conducted a survey amongst its teacher members. According to the survey, one of out three educators in the US is willing to take early retirement from their jobs. Some teachers are interested in leaving their jobs earlier than they had planned.
Another survey by the National Education Union 2021 has also reported similar results. One-third of the teachers in the UK want to quit their jobs within the next five years.
As an educator, you must already know the reason behind this. Lack of respect for the profession, lesser salaries, and increased workload are some of the top reasons why teachers want to leave their jobs and switch to other career options. While the latter two reasons are beyond the control of teachers, the former reason is very well under their control. Respect cannot be asked for but earned.
Teaching has always been a respectable profession. Their busy lives and extra workload just bring in so much stress in the lives of educators that they cannot find ways to keep themselves motivated. It is just the beginning of the year and teachers need as much motivation as the students.
If you are a teacher, then you must know various ways to uplift and encourage your students. It is time for you to keep your own spirits high with these useful tips. Here’s how you can stay a motivated teacher in 2022.
1. Become Best Friends With Technology
Everything has gone digital in 2022. Even schools and examinations. That means educators cannot escape technology. Educational technology tools not only make the lessons interesting for the students but also make teaching fun. You can use discussion boards and interactive whiteboards in your classrooms to engage your students. To increase your productivity, you can digitally organize your files and collaborate with your colleagues. There are tons of excellent digital teacher tools available. So how does technology motivate teachers? First of all, technology improves students’ performance because it generates interest in them. Better grades and student engagement motivate teachers. Secondly, the use of technology also increases teacher productivity. According to psychologist Rich Walker, learning new things makes us happy and healthy. Make technology your best friend to stay a happy teacher.
2. Listen To Inspiring Teacher Podcasts
Inspirational stories always motivate us, especially when they come from our peer group. Podcasts are the best on-the-go learning tools for teachers. There are so many excellent teacher podcasts that are great for your professional development. They freshen up your minds and teach you actionable classroom strategies and teacher productivity tricks. Three out of four people in the US listen to podcasts to learn novel things. Creativity fosters productivity and growth. Growth leads to motivation and that is what teachers need right now.
3. Look After Your Mental Health
RAND conducted the 2021 State of the U.S. Teacher Survey. More than 75% of the teachers reported mental breakdowns and job-related stress. Teachers need regular breaks and doses of positivity and happiness to keep themselves motivated. How can teachers look after their mental health? By regularly meditating, practicing mindfulness, involving themselves in productive activities like reading books, sports, book clubs, hobby classes, etc. Go for your morning walks/runs, book your tickets to the next stand-up comedy show, or just play your favorite dance song and tap to its tunes.
4. Follow Teacher Coaches and Bloggers
If you are thinking of switching to another profession, then hold on. You can do lots of other things while continuing to be a teacher. Follow and learn from successful teacher bloggers. You will find plenty of them on social media and YouTube. How do they help you? They motivate you and help you take pride in your profession. They also offer freebies and effective teaching materials like planners, lesson plans, and digital stickers. Subscribe to their newsletters and attend free workshops and webinars where experienced educators share their personal success stories with you. Follow motivational speakers on TED Talks or YouTube. There is motivation all around you. You just need to find it.
To sum it up
Teachers are some of the most creative professionals. They can design innovative ways to teach their students. Similarly, they can find umpteen ways to keep themselves motivated in these tough times too. Teachers need to leave their comfort zone instead of their jobs.
👉 Read more teacher tips and strategies:
🤔How To Make Effective Presentations For Your Students In A Few Clicks?
💻How To Make Your Digital Teaching Portfolio For Free- A Complete Guide?
👉 Thanks for making my words part of your day! Leave a comment below to share your experience or write me an email at manikapant18@gmail.com if you have any questions.
