How can we positively impact the lives of our students without exhausting ourselves?
There is a profound difference between making a difference and exhausting yourself. When we do not honor and care for ourselves, it will eventually negatively affect all those we are seeking to serve. The glorification of over-work, self-sacrifice and martyrdom is so deeply embedded in educational culture that most of us accept it as normal.
But what if that belief is incorrect? What if putting our own needs first is what’s best for everyone?
Here’s a list of common martyr behaviors:
- Making your needs subservient to others
- Downplaying our needs in relationships with others (“It’s all about the kids”)
- Being “Nice” in order to placate others or earn accolades
- Asking permission from others to take care of yourself
- Ignoring or delaying health issues to serve others
Why martyr behavior is damaging:
- It diminishes your self-worth and limits your authenticity and personal power
- It takes away opportunities for others to do the work and learn personal responsibility.(especially our students)
- It places stress and unreasonable expectations on your colleagues and the people who follow you
Reflection Questions:
- What beliefs (both personal and collective) could replace outdated models?
- Why have teachers accepted these beliefs as just “doing the job”?
- Where do these beliefs come from?
- How are these beliefs different from other helping/caring professions such as healthcare and counseling?
