Power through with...reflecting

<p>There are few things more frustrating than working hard and not seeing a ton of results. <br />  <br /> It’s even worse when your hard work is unappreciated, and you’re criticized for not doing enough or for doing things wrong.<br />  <br /> <strong>When you’re trying your absolute best to teach well in a pandemic, the reality is that </strong><a href= "https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/best-isnt-good-enough/" data-cke-saved-href= "https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/best-isnt-good-enough/"><strong>your best might not always be good enough</strong></a><strong>. </strong><br />  <br /> Sometimes what you’re able to give really isn’t sufficient. <br />  <br /> Of course you feel inadequate, when you know what you’re capable of under optimal circumstances, and also know you’re not working with anything <em>even close</em> to optimal circumstances.<br />  <br /> So the only options are to try to single handedly compensate for all the adverse circumstances and perform at a superhuman level every day, or adjust our expectations.<br />  <br /> You know which choice I’m going to advocate for.<br />  <br /> <strong>I want you to let go of the “shoulds” and regrets about this school year. I want you to celebrate the small wins, instead of focusing on all the things that aren’t happening.</strong><br />  <br /> I’m going to talk more on that next week.<br />  <br /> <strong>For now, I want you to focus more on who you are becoming, instead of what you are able to do (or not do) for your students.</strong><br />  <br /> <strong>Ask yourself, <em>Who do I want to be on the other side of pandemic teaching? What kind of teacher — and what kind of human — do I want this experience to shape me into? </em></strong><br />  <br /> <strong>Because in our rush to figure out logistics and lessons and activities … we can’t forget that who we ARE is more impactful than what we DO.</strong><br />  <br /> Our beliefs, values, and worldview shape the way we interact with kids an