Good Morning Y’all,

Why Teachers Must Embrace Failure as a Tool for Growth

Michael Jordan, widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time, didn’t reach the pinnacle of success without failure. He missed over 9,000 shots, lost nearly 300 games, and missed 26 game-winning shots when his team trusted him most. Yet, through each missed shot and lost game, he learned, adjusted, and improved. His failures didn’t define him—they refined him.

As educators, we need that same mindset.

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

Far too often, teachers view failure as something to be ashamed of. A failed lesson, an engagement strategy that flops, or a classroom management plan that backfires can feel like personal defeats. But the truth is, failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of success! The very best teachers aren’t the ones who never fail; they’re the ones who learn from failure and grow because of it.

The Growth Mindset: What Sets Great Teachers Apart

Teaching is an ever-evolving profession. New technologies emerge, curriculum changes, and student needs shift. The greatest educators aren’t the ones who “get it right” the first time—they’re the ones who adapt, tweak, and improve with every setback.

What do you mean Mitch? I’m glad you asked…

• The first time you tried classroom discussions, they might have been awkward and filled with crickets. But you adjusted, asked better questions, and now your students engage.

• Your first attempt at using AI tools in the classroom may have been clunky, but now you’re finding ways to save time and increase productivity.

• You’ve had lessons that completely flopped—but instead of quitting, you reworked them, and now they’re some of your best!

Success is built on the foundation of failure. The difference between a good teacher and a great teacher is what they do when things don’t go as planned.

Failure as a Teaching Tool

Not only do we need to embrace failure for ourselves, but we must also model it for our students. Too many students fear failure because they think it means they aren’t smart or capable. Our job is to show them that failing is simply part of learning.

Here’s how you can normalize failure in your classroom:

✔ Celebrate mistakes – Highlight "failures" as valuable learning moments. Show students that every setback brings them closer to success.

✔ Share your own struggles – Let them know when you make mistakes and how you handle them. When students see that even their teacher isn’t perfect, it helps them develop resilience.

✔ Use failure as feedback – Instead of saying, “You got this wrong,” say, “Let’s figure out what we can learn from this.” Teach them that failure is data, not defeat.

The Bottom Line, Y’all...

Teaching is tough. Some days you’ll feel like a rockstar, and other days you’ll feel like you’re missing every shot you take. But remember: Michael Jordan didn’t stop shooting just because he missed.

Neither should you.

Every failed lesson, every difficult student interaction, and every challenging day is teaching you something. It’s making you stronger, more adaptable, and more effective. Great teachers aren’t the ones who never fail—they’re the ones who never stop learning.

So, the next time something doesn’t go as planned, don’t see it as a failure. See it as a step toward greatness. 💡🏆

What’s a teaching moment where failure helped you grow? Let me know—I’d love to hear your story!

~Mitch

🎵 Teacher Tunes Tuesday 🎶 

Crank up the nostalgia and rewind to the golden age of power chords and epic vocals! This playlist is your ultimate Gen-X time machine, packed with the legendary sounds of Night Ranger, Van Halen, Kenny Loggins, Journey, Skid Row, Heart, and so much more. Whether you're grading papers, cruising with the windows down, or just decompressing from a long day, these iconic anthems will take you back to a time when mixtapes were made with love (and maybe a little duct tape).

So, grab your Walkman (or, you know, your phone), hit play, and let the big hair, screaming guitars, and sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs choruses do the rest. 🤘🔥 #GenXForever

Share TCN, Earn Some Swag!

Would you like to unlock a fun and fancy membership to Homeroom Swag—our ever-growing inventory of 150+ fun, entertaining, and educational bulletin board letter and number sets?

Here’s how: share your personal subscription link (“Click To Share” button below) with your teacher tribe. When three of your teacher besties subscribe to The Classroom Newsletter, you’ll gain free access to Homeroom Swag’s treasure trove of designs! It’s our way of saying thank you for spreading the love—and for being part of this amazing community of educators. These resources are designed to make your classroom pop with creativity while encouraging student participation and interaction.

NOTE: This offer is for subscribers only. The link is in this issue’s email that was sent directly to subscribers. WANNA JOIN? Simply click on the “Subscribe” button at the top of the page, and BOOM…You’re In!