4 Ways to Disrupt the Teacher-As-A-Martyr Myth and Gain the Confidence to Thrive
By April Brown
As a teacher, you likely entered the profession to make a difference and inspire a love of learning. At Educator Forever, we believe teachers can (and will) change the world, but first, we must redefine what it means to be a teacher. Doing so requires disrupting the teacher-as-a-martyr myth.
All too often, teachers internalize the oppressive systems that they work in. This manifests in a multitude of ways, one of them being feeling unworthy to pursue dreams and educational careers beyond the classroom.
The burden of unrealistic expectations and self-sacrificing mindsets causes teachers to feel like they don’t have any skills or expertise to offer because they're constantly being pressured to prove themselves over and over again.
These working conditions have also led to the idea of a teacher martyr - that teachers must sacrifice their well-being, financial goals and family time to dedicate themselves to their students and their craft.
How the Teacher-As-A-Martyr Myth Keeps Educators from Thriving
When I was a classroom teacher, I’d often show up to work an hour before students arrived, prepping for the day. Then I’d stay at work an hour or two past when students left and bring paperwork, lesson plans, and behavioral data home with me to reflect on.
Because of the around-the-clock nature of a teacher’s life, and feeling pressured to feed into the “teacher-as-a-martyr” myth, I felt like I could never truly do enough for my students or please the administrators I worked under.
I was stuck in an unhealthy cycle of wanting to be praised for being the best teacher ever and being nervous that without this title, my worthiness decreased. But my confidence as a whole human who deserved to live a sustainable and happy life was lacking!
Once I became pregnant with my first child, I knew something had to give. It was no longer possible to pour from an empty cup and deal with the unrealistic demands of being “on” 24/7 for my administrators, colleagues, and parents of the children I taught. I needed to move on from teacher martyrdom and find a different way of working.
Since then, I’ve learned the importance of taking tiny steps forward to build my confidence. By embracing your value, prioritizing self-care, developing a growth mindset, and building a strong professional network, you can reimagine what it means to be a teacher and gain the confidence to thrive beyond the four walls of a classroom!
How to Disrupt the Myth of Teacher Martyrdom
Ready to move on from being a teacher martyr? There are some simple ways you can boost your confidence, improve your work-life balance and even prepare for alternative careers for teachers.
Embrace your educator expertise.
Our Educator Forever community is made up of a diverse network of educators from around the world. We are inspired every day to learn alongside folks with vast expertise, such as:
Multilingual/bilingual educators
Culturally responsive educators
Early childhood, elementary, and secondary teachers
University instructors
Special education teachers
Speech and language pathologists
Literacy specialists
Social and emotional learning experts
Nature-based and Waldorf educators
Project-based learning coaches
Trauma-informed consultants
Creativity consultants
Kid’s media specialists
When you read through the list above, it’s impossible not to feel impressed with all of the amazing skills our community possesses. We’re here to remind you that it's time to move beyond fear and recognize and appreciate your true value as an educator.
By understanding the immense impact you have on your students' and families’ lives (and the broader community), you can shift from a deficit perspective and begin to brainstorm the gifts you have to share with the world.
Additionally, stepping into your confidence will empower you to speak up about issues that negatively impact education and the well-being of students and teachers. At Educator Forever, we often speak about the things that frustrate us about education (e.g., banking education, teaching to the test, racist discipline policies, ableist beliefs that keep schools from promoting inclusion, lack of pay and respect for teachers, and so much more).
But we also encourage educators to take the things that frustrate them and develop resources, innovative businesses, and support networks that drive positive change. As you gain confidence, you’ll recognize that your voice matters, and by speaking up, you can make a meaningful impact on education beyond your own classroom.
Prioritize your wellness.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Put your oxygen mask on first” – but as teachers, we often don’t know where to begin. This is a big part of why the teacher-as-a-martyr myth exists today. Teachers are notorious for putting their (and their family’s) needs aside to prioritize their students. But it’s crucial to take care of yourself so you can stay rooted in hope and forward movement.
When we feel better about ourselves, physically, spiritually, and mentally, we gain the emotional capacity we need to set goals and take the necessary steps to create the life we dream about.
Some tips for prioritizing your wellness include prepping nourishing meals, spending five minutes each morning meditating, partaking in gentle pilates or yoga exercises, going for lunch with a friend each week, journaling about your dreams, or setting up a therapy session. Check out more wellness tips here and remember, one size doesn’t fit all. Find what works for you!
Take the time to develop a growth mindset.
Developing a growth mindset is key to embracing confidence as a teacher. American psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck first introduced the idea of a growth mindset after decades of research. She labeled individuals who believe their talents can be developed through hard work, learning, and feedback as having a growth mindset. Even more, Dweck found that people with these qualities often achieve more as opposed to people who believe that talents are innate.
Shifting to another career in education IS hard work. We would never tell you otherwise. But the power of positive self-talk, continuous self-reflection, and lifelong learning will support you in viewing setbacks as opportunities for continued growth. By cultivating a growth mindset, you'll unlock your full potential and inspire those in your circle to do the same.
Build a strong professional network.
One of the most important parts of disrupting the myth of teacher martyrdom and gaining the confidence to thrive is connecting with like-minded educators who are in different stages of exploring career pathways in education beyond the classroom.
Building a strong professional network allows you to strategize, share small wins and challenges, and create a plan of concrete steps to move forward to achieving your dreams. Not to mention the importance of receiving a funny meme on a hard day or hearing how valuable your skills are from someone in a similar situation to you.
Check out Educator Forever’s vast library of blogs and our podcast that highlights teachers who are expanding their impact beyond the classroom and innovating teaching and learning.
More Support to Help You Thrive as a Teacher
Step into your confidence by joining our foundational course Beyond the Classroom to get clear on your next steps, or enroll in our Curriculum Development Foundations Certification program or Business Accelerator to hone the skills you need to excel!
The Educator Forever community is full of incredible educators who are finding new ways to use their teaching skills outside of the classroom — and changing the future of education in the process!
Together we can shatter the teacher-as-a-martyr myth and embrace our worth as educators who deserve to share their brilliance with the world!
Have questions about our programs? Contact Educator Forever today to learn more.
About The Author
April Brown (M.Ed) is Educator Forever’s community facilitator and a curriculum coach for the Curriculum Development Foundations program. In 2015, April began designing curriculum and writing articles for an EdTech company as a side gig while she was teaching in Placencia, Belize. After having her daughter in 2016, April was eager to use her unique experience teaching and leading in mainstream and alternative settings in the United States and internationally to work remotely while still making a difference in education.
The Beyond the Classroom course empowered April to leverage her skills as a compassionate disruptor and out-of-the-box thinker to excel as an instructional/well-being coach, adjunct instructor of a Trauma Supportive Schools course, curriculum developer, and writer for publications such as PBS SoCal, Education.com, and Britannica for Parents. April is an advocate for teachers and students – inside and outside of the classroom. You can find April in rural Vermont spending time with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and charming rottweilers.