Teacher Talk Tuesday

Happy Tuesday Y’all,

Hey team, let’s talk about something we all know too well—stress. And I’m not talking about a little stress. I’m talking about that end-of-the-day, “I just need 10 minutes of silence before I collapse” kind of stress. Yeah, that kind.

As alwyas, if you find this info helpful, please share it with your teacher bestie!

We’re teachers. We’re wired to give. Our students, their parents, and even the administration rely on us daily, and let’s face it—sometimes it feels like too much. We love what we do, but there are days when the weight of teaching hits us hard. So today, I want to give you something real. Not the fluffy “take deep breaths and light a candle” kind of advice, but raw, practical strategies to help you manage the stress that creeps in, day in and day out.

1. Start Your Day with Intention, Not Urgency

We rush around so much that we often start the day in panic mode. I’ve been there. You get to school, open your inbox, and suddenly, your entire morning feels hijacked by 20 emails and three “urgent” requests. But here’s the thing: Your day belongs to you—not to your inbox, not to your to-do list, and definitely not to someone else’s idea of what’s “urgent.”

Instead of diving straight into the chaos, take just 5 minutes when you walk into your classroom to set an intention for the day. That doesn’t mean reciting a bunch of affirmations unless you’re into that. It’s just deciding what your focus is. Maybe your goal today is patience, or maybe it’s connection with your students. Setting an intention can ground you, remind you of why you’re here, and keep stress from taking over the moment your feet hit the classroom floor.

2. Don’t Just Teach—Create a Rhythm

We’re constantly planning lessons, managing the unpredictable, and adjusting to the ebb and flow of the day. It’s easy to feel like you're chasing the day, trying to survive until the bell rings. Here’s a trick I’ve found to be a game-changer: create a rhythm, not just a schedule.

Think of your day like music—there’s a natural flow, highs, and lows, and a pace that keeps you moving without rushing. Build in natural moments of pause throughout your day. Maybe that means a quiet start to first period or five minutes of silent reading before transitioning to a new topic. Rhythms reduce stress because they give your day a sense of flow and predictability, even when everything else feels chaotic. Stress thrives in chaos; rhythm brings calm.

3. The ‘Not My Circus, Not My Tigers' Mentality

Let me hit you with a simple truth: Not every problem is yours to solve. Sounds obvious, right? But how many of us feel the need to fix everything in our classroom, especially the things we can’t control? News flash: you’re not a magician.

If a student comes in with drama that’s out of your realm, or admin throws you a curveball that’s above your pay grade—don’t take it personally. It’s not your circus. It’s not your tigers. And that’s not to say we don’t care. Of course, we care deeply. But we also have to protect our mental space. Let the things that aren’t yours to fix float on by, and stay focused on what you can impact. You'll be amazed at how much mental clutter that clears up.

4. Set Your Boundaries, and Stick to Them

We hear a lot about boundaries these days, but how often do we actually respect our own? Setting boundaries means more than just saying, “I’ll leave by 4 p.m. today.” It’s about actually sticking to it. Here’s a rule I live by: Work will never love you back. It’s harsh, but it’s true. The more time and energy you pour into work after hours, the more it demands.

Give yourself permission to leave unfinished tasks at school. The work will still be there tomorrow, but your mental health might not be if you burn out. Trust me, I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. Don’t let that happen to you.

5. Create Moments of Joy

Y’all—there’s a lot about teaching that isn’t fun. The paperwork, the discipline, the endless meetings… but the beauty is that we do get to create pockets of joy throughout our day. And this is more than just making your classroom a “fun” place for the kids—it’s for you too.

Maybe it’s playing music during transitions, cracking a joke with your students, or sharing a laugh with a colleague in the hallway. It’s these moments of joy that can break up the stress and remind you of the things you love about this job. We’re here to make an impact, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the ride along the way.

6. Breathe, Pray, Reset

I’m not here to give you a lecture on mindfulness, but hear me out: sometimes we just need a second to breathe. Whether it’s deep breathing, prayer, or just stepping outside for a minute of fresh air—give yourself those moments to reset. I pray throughout the day—not in a formal way, but in little moments. Asking God for strength, for patience, or just thanking Him for a student who’s finally making progress.

Find what centers you, and do it often. The key to managing stress isn’t eliminating it—because let’s be honest, that’s never happening—it’s giving yourself the tools to handle it. Breathing, praying, or resetting gives you that mental reboot when things get overwhelming.

7. Remember Why You’re Here

We all have that “why.” The reason we became teachers. Some days it feels distant, but it’s still there. When the stress is heavy, lean on your why. For me, it’s knowing that I get to pour into the next generation. I get to teach them not just lessons, but life skills, resilience, and creativity. That’s a privilege not many get to experience. And even on the hardest days, that reminder of purpose brings me back to center.

Stay in the Fight

Teaching isn’t easy—far from it. In fact…most people can’t do it. But you’re not in it alone, and you don’t have to let stress define your experience. These simple strategies are meant to remind you that you have more control than you think. Take charge of what you can, let go of what you can’t, and find joy in the journey.

You’ve got this. Stay in the fight. One day at a time.

Until next time…Have A Terrific Tuesday,
~ Mitch