How I’ve Sustained a Long Teaching Career

Any seasoned teacher will tell you there are moments when they’ve questioned their decision to become an educator. While teaching is important and impactful, it’s undeniably challenging—and so is finding ways to make it sustainable for yourself.

This year, summer felt too short, and for a fleeting moment I considered becoming a day trader. But almost immediately after stepping back into my classroom, I was reminded of why I’ve stayed in this profession for so long, and why I still love it. Despite the cycle of new demands and curriculum changes, there are ways to thrive for the long haul. Here are strategies that sustain me and keep me proud to be an educator.

Don’t Wait for Joy, Make It

It’s easy to get bogged down by the endless to-do list that comes with teaching, but we also have the power to tap into and create joy in our classrooms. I’ve read that children laugh up to 400 times a day, while adults only laugh 15 to 20 times. If we allow ourselves to lean into the joy that students naturally bring, everyone benefits.

My son has recently become a budding comedian. He’s still figuring out his timing, but he brings many moments of laughter to those around him. Recently at school, he entertained his classmates by doing a theatrical reading of a book about laying eggs. This turned into an opportunity to both enjoy the moment and build questions around the story, exploring why the idea of laying eggs was so hilarious.

When we create space for these authentic moments of connection, the joy factor rises for both students and teachers. Giving students a chance to share a joke or tell a funny story doesn’t take away from learning—it adds to it. A joyful classroom is one where students feel safe, and when students feel safe, they can learn and grow.

As a newcomer English language teacher, I love introducing my students to different traditions and celebrations. Even middle school students get excited about the thrill of an egg hunt. Pausing to celebrate, laugh, and connect with our students doesn’t just make our jobs more worthwhile, it helps us build the meaningful relationships that are at the very heart of good teaching.

Stay Curious

The older I get, the more I believe that one of the secrets to life is staying curious. I’m constantly asking questions and trying new things; it keeps me engaged in life and ensures that I don’t turn into an old stick in the mud. For a teacher, being willing to try new things and learn about different techniques and strategies not only benefits you but can also have a big impact on students.

A few years ago, when new AI technology was emerging, I was very curious to see what all the hype was about, and that helped me become an early learner and user of ChatGPT and other AI programs, which in turn benefited my students. By learning about ChatGPT, I was able to create lessons that reflected the kids in my classroom without investing a huge amount of time re-creating lessons. I was able to use the bones of what I already had, and by using good prompts, I was able to tweak lessons so that my students related to what I was teaching. By being curious and leaning into new experiences, you create room for growth.

In the classroom, I’ll often ask my students about slang they use and where it comes from, which makes my students laugh when they hear me ask, “Is skibidi a good thing or bad?” or “Do you want to be in Ohio?” or “Is 6-7 something scandalous or something silly?”

By being curious about my students’ world, I learn new things, and it helps me connect with them. I don’t spend time on TikTok, BeReal, or any of the other apps my students use, but I do learn about them and stay aware of what they are. It’s not about trying to be the cool teacher; it’s about bringing genuine curiosity to the classroom, which helps me learn, grow, and avoid becoming stagnant.

Find Your Floor

When I mentor teachers, I always tell them teaching is a bottomless pit. No matter how much you do, there can always be more to do, so you have to decide what your bottom is going to be. When I first started teaching, my floor was much different from what it is now. There was rarely a night I would go home and not work, and I was often one of the first people in the building in the morning and one of the last to leave. I needed to put that time in so I could do a good job and be prepared for the day, but now that I’m more experienced and my life responsibilities have changed, so have my boundaries.

Now, when I go home, I don’t do work most nights. I will check my email to make sure I don’t have any surprises when I get to school, but I often choose not to respond until morning. Having boundaries and ensuring that you protect your time are essential to being able to thrive in education. You may know the expression, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Author Joline Godfrey takes it further: Without balance, we lose discovery, flexibility, and innovation.

For teachers just beginning to find your floor, it helps to be able to identify your priorities so you can set limits around those. For example, family, friends, and downtime to explore things I’m interested in are important to me. So I plan my week around those things. Each Sunday I review my week, making sure my schedule aligns with my priorities. I block time for family, friends, and fun, because those make it possible for me to do my job well. I also set aside focused work blocks so I can accomplish what matters most.

For me, my floor means whatever doesn’t get done at work waits until the next day, unless there’s a rare exception. To make this possible, I use my planning period with clear goals and minimize distractions—sometimes that means phone off, email closed, full focus. Everyone’s floor looks different, but defining it is essential to avoid burnout.

Teaching is a great profession, and while burnout is real, it’s not unavoidable if you keep things joyful, stay curious, and make sure you have boundaries so that you have time and space for a rich and full life. There are ways to stay, thrive, and continue to make the world a better place, one kid at a time.