Teacher Talk Tuesday

Good Morning Y’all,

Every year, more and more responsibility is stacked on teachers’ shoulders—behavior tracking, data collection, parent communication, classroom management, curriculum alignment… and now, in many cases, the expectation to identify or monitor student mental health concerns.

Let me say this clearly and without hesitation: you were not trained to be a counselor. You were trained to teach. And that’s enough.

Students today are showing higher levels of anxiety, stress, depression, and emotional turbulence—sometimes because they’re truly struggling, and sometimes because adults are quick to label every behavior as a crisis. Either way, you shouldn’t be walking that road alone.

Lean on Your School Counselor

You need that school or grade-level counselor on speed dial.

Open communication between you and your counselor isn’t optional—it’s essential. When something doesn’t feel right, when a student’s behavior raises questions, when your gut tells you there might be more going on, you should never carry that alone.

That’s why counselors exist. That’s their training. That’s their lane.

Keep Parents in the Loop

Parents deserve to know when you’re concerned about their child.

Not because you’re diagnosing or labeling—not your job—but because you care and because you’re observing things during the school day they may not see at home.

And parents should be ready to answer questions and provide context when you reach out. This is a team effort. No one wins when communication breaks down.

Protect Your Boundaries—And Your Career

Now here’s the part nobody likes to talk about: sometimes administrators ask teachers to do things that cross the line.

If you ever feel like you’re being pushed into counseling territory…

If you’re asked to document or “monitor” mental health concerns you aren’t trained to evaluate…

If you feel underprepared, unqualified, or simply stretched too thin…

Bottom Line Y’all…

It is absolutely OK to say “No.”
Not disrespectfully. Not rebelliously. Simply truthfully:
“I don’t have the training or bandwidth to take this on responsibly.”

If pushback comes—if someone insists that you step into a role you are not equipped for—you have every right to protect your integrity and your license. That may even mean it’s time to walk away.

Harsh? Sure.
But being held responsible for something you were never trained to diagnose or treat is far harsher.
You are not the expert on a child’s mental health.
You are not the authority on their emotional disorders.
And you should not be expected to function as a counselor.

You teach.
You observe.
You communicate.
You care.
And that is enough.

Stand tall. Guard your boundaries. And don’t be afraid to say the word administrators rarely hear: “No.”

Your wellbeing matters, too. Always.

YOU ARE A ROCK STAR!

Blessings Y’all,
~ Mitch

🎵 November’s Playlist: A Little Light Learning Classical 🎵

Set the tone for focus, creativity, and calm with this hand-picked collection of classical pieces made for the classroom. Whether your students are journaling, creating art, working independently, or easing into the day, these gentle symphonies and piano works keep the atmosphere peaceful and productive. It’s the perfect soundtrack for light learning, deep thinking, and a classroom that feels both calm and inspired.