Let’s face it – all we are hearing about right now is having a positive mindset. And that’s why today I’m sharing with you my top 5 tips for how you can build a positive teacher mindset.
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll have seen lately on my stories where I’ve been opening up a lot more and showing everyday truths and how people can have this illusion that peoples lives are as perfect as they look on Instagram – and that can really play on your mindset, and make it become negative.
And I want to squash those feelings. I want to help you see that what you see on Instagram isn’t the be all and end all. And just because you don’t have any perfectly amazing photos to share on Instagram and you feel intimidated by those picture perfect ones – it doesn’t mean you are any less of a teacher or homeschooler than they are. Instagram is just a quick snapshot into someone’s day. Not a true reflection.
And that’s why I wanted to share some tips with you today for how you can help to build a positive teacher mindset for yourself.
Tip #1 Don’t Focus on the Bad
I know that’s really hard if you’re having a hard day, maybe your students have been struggling with transition back to school after a break, maybe you feel like all of your students are having a tough day and you don’t know what to do to help them. At times like this, it’s easily to become overwhelmed and feel not-so-great about yourself and your teaching skills.
Take a step back, breathe and look around you. Start thinking about the positives about your students, your classroom and your teaching. Are you students happy to come to school? Do you provide them with a safe envioronment? Do you feel like you’ve built positive relationships with them and that they trust you? What about your team of staff? Do they compliment your teaching style? What ways do they support you? What strengths do they bring to your classroom?
Look at your classroom. Think of some fun memories you have of your students there. For me, I always laugh at the time when we first brought water balloons outside one summer. The kids went crazy, they loved them. They were all laughing, playing with each other, running around outside. Thinking of a memory like that, it’s hard not to smile or laugh to myself and remember the good times. And those positive memories, really do help to squash the negative place you may find yourself in at the moment.
Tip #2 Compliments
Have a quick meeting with your staff and talk to them about improving the positive mindset of everyone in the classroom – students and staff. Throughout the day, make an effort to compliment each other. If it feels awkward, you can do it in round-about ways like. “Hey Lucy, wasn’t Miss Evans so great at reading that story?” You’ll be surprised how much giving little compliments – and receiving them can help build a positive mindset for you and everyone around you.
Tip #3 Remember the Positives
Start recording positive or happy moments or things you’re grateful for. For me, it’s my Mrs Hinch Activity Journal. (Affiliate link.) Each week I record things that I’m grateful for, what I enjoyed most about that week, what I’d like to do again. It really helps me put things into perspective and see all the great things I did that week.
But, you can also do this as a team with your staff. Keep a little jar in the classroom, and when something makes you all smile, laugh, feel proud or just have fun, write about it on a piece of paper and place it into the jar. Then at the end of each week or month, pull the pieces of paper out and read them. This is a great way for you all to reflect and think about the good times and positive things that have happened.
Tip #4 Debbie-Downers
Avoid Debbie-downers. This is real life, and you’re going to have some wonderful Positive-Polly’s around you. But you’re also going to have some real Debbie-downers. You know the people who are always having the worst day? Everything going wrong.. they’re never happy.
It’s very easy for us to pick up on moods around us. And hanging around with Debbie-Downer can have a negative effect on your and your mindset. Instead, hang around with some Positive-Polly’s and make a pact with some of your teacher friends that if someone is having a down-day, you’ll all find a way to help them turn it around and become more positive.
Then, if you’re feeling down or negative, go and talk with them about it. Sometimes, when something negative happens, all you can feel are negative thoughts about it. But talking about it to someone else can help you see the positive positions and help turn your mood around too.
Tip #5 Start Your Day Positive
Start every morning upbeat, excited and ready for the day ahead. Feel blessed that you’ve woken up another morning. And look around you for things that you feel blessed for. That student who’s screaming and crying in the corner?
You can look at it 2 ways, I like to look at it in the way that I’m blessed to be able to help this student, provide them with the tools they need to help calm themselves down and feel safe and happy again.
Look around at your team of staff, feel thankful that you have a team who have your back. They’re here to help your students with you. They’re here to help you do your job. And together you’re a team. And team work makes the dream work.
What are some ways that you help keep a positive mindset? Let me know in the comments down below and share your best tips with us.
If you prefer to listen to podcasts rather than read blog posts, you can listen to this one here.
If you found this positive teacher mindset tips blog post helpful, please consider sharing it on your social media with your friends and colleagues.
