To the teacher who everyone thinks has it all together...

I have debated about posting this for awhile because it makes me more vulnerable, but it has been weighing heavy on my heart and I felt I needed to share. So many times in our teaching culture, we look at the room across the hall and say they must have it all together. We hear phrases like "her room is perfect," "she always is dressed in magazine worthy outfits," "you can go to her for the right answer," or "she is always so organized." My favorite question that everyone asks is, "how do you do it?" My answer to that question is, "I don't know." Do I really have it all together? No! Does anyone have it all together? No!

To the teacher who everyone thinks has it all together...it is okay to fall apart. It is okay to admit you don't have it all together. And you need to know that you are not the only one out there.

The teacher that seems to have it all together is often broken inside. She struggles some days to keep it all together.

The teacher that seems to have it all together is actually stressing about what everyone else thinks of her. She knows her value, but always worries about her appearance to others.

The teacher that seems to have it all together stays up late at night wondering what she could do differently. How could she meet more of her students' needs? How can she improve her craft?

The teacher that seems to have it all together wishes more people would check in on her. She thinks that since everyone else views her as "all together" they don't realize she needs encouragement too.

The teacher that seems to have it all together can sometimes seem distant. She is afraid that if she opens up to others, they might judge her work.

The teacher that seems to have it all together is often quiet and reserved. She is concerned that if she shares her thoughts, she might have the wrong answer or ask the wrong question.

But...

The teacher that seems to have it all together loves her job. She is passionate about creating the most amazing experience for her students.

The teacher that seems to have it all together reflects a lot. She is always looking to improve her teaching skills and best meet student needs.

The teacher that seems to have it all together needs support just as much as any other teacher. The job can still get to her, the stress can wear her down, and the constant "you've got it all together" can often do more harm than good.

So to the rest of the teaching world, if you think a teacher has it all together, please check in on them. They may be having a harder time than you think. They may be organized, manage their time well, and have some amazing lessons, but they still worry that they are not good enough. They still wonder if others really care about them or value their work. They sometimes feel as though they are floundering in a lonely world of what everyone else believes is teacher ease, but is actually a daily struggle to fit in.