Vulnerability in teaching
Teachers are vulnerable under normal circumstances. Every day, we present ourselves through our lessons and are open and vulnerable to judgment from all of our students, parents, colleagues and administrators. I can think of no other profession where this is true, especially on a daily basis. Teachers have to always be “on” and moving. No privacy or protection from emotional exposure by working at a desk, in an office/ cubicle, behind closed doors or facing just the screen of a computer. If we are grappling with personal issues, health issues, family issues, financial issues…any issues, we throw them in our backpack and carry them to school with us. But then, when do we deal with them during our action-packed, always on, “keep moving so you don’t get behind and everyone will know it” day?
(more…)