Teaching with Heart in a Challenging World – Finding Calm and Connection in a Broken System

LIZ BARTLETT
Aug 22
5 min read

A resilient, lone tree stands strong against a rocky, barren landscape beneath a moody, cloud-filled sky – a powerful symbol of strength, endurance, and quiet perseverance. — In a world of shifting expectations and relentless demands, it’s often the small, unspoken acts of care that make the biggest impact. Like a lone tree standing firm in harsh conditions, you’re making a difference each day, even when the ground beneath you feels uncertain.

Practical Ways to Teach with Heart, Build Resilience, and Thrive in a Challenging System

The bell rings, and the soft murmur of a new school day begins. Desks shift, bags rustle, and young voices fill the room with a familiar, hopeful energy. For a moment, you pause, feeling the weight of the day ahead. It’s a reminder of why you chose this path – the chance to make a difference, to shape young minds, to spark curiosity and connection. Yet, beneath this hopeful energy lies the unseen weight of a profession deeply impacted by systemic pressures.

Teaching with heart isn’t just about lesson plans and assessments – it’s about the subtle, often unseen acts of care that define the profession. It’s the whispered encouragements, the gentle redirections, the patient listening to small voices still learning to express themselves. These are the moments that matter, but they also add a cumulative weight to our work. When the broader system feels strained – with underfunded schools, overcrowded classrooms, and ever-changing policies – even the most dedicated teachers can find themselves struggling to stay afloat.

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” – Audre Lorde

Yet, within this challenging landscape, there is still space for hope, for connection, and for resilience. It’s about finding ways to reclaim your purpose, nurture your wellbeing, and create meaningful moments of calm, even amidst the chaos. This isn’t about ignoring the broken system – it’s about empowering yourself within it, remembering that even in the hardest moments, your small acts of care and connection matter.

Embracing the Power of Purpose

Teaching can be profoundly rewarding, but it’s also a profession uniquely vulnerable to emotional exhaustion. It’s not just about the hours spent in the classroom – it’s about the emotional and mental effort required to truly see and support each student, even when resources are limited and expectations are high. This is the deeper work of teaching, the part that goes beyond lesson plans and marking. It’s the weight of caring deeply in a profession where the challenges often feel unending. It’s a reminder that the emotional toll you feel is not a personal failing – it’s a reflection of the care you give and the difference you make, even in an imperfect system.

Small Ways to Reconnect with Your Purpose:

Pause for Perspective – In the rush of the day, it can be easy to lose sight of the ‘why’ behind your work. Take a breath. Remember that your presence, your patience, and your gentle acts of kindness are powerful forms of influence. They ripple out in ways you may never fully see.
Celebrate Small Wins – It’s easy to overlook the subtle victories – like when a student finally grasps a tricky maths concept after weeks of struggle, when a quiet student raises their hand for the first time, or when a challenging class finally clicks with a new topic. These moments are the heartbeat of your teaching life, often hidden but deeply significant.
Reflect on Your Impact – Consider keeping a small notebook or digital note where you jot down moments that remind you of your impact. A simple line – “Today, a student said thank you for helping them feel more confident in maths” – can serve as a gentle reminder of the influence you have each day.
Reconnect Through Personal Projects – Choose a small project or topic you’re genuinely passionate about and incorporate it into your teaching. Whether it’s introducing a creative writing exercise, designing a nature walk, or sharing a favourite piece of music, these moments of personal connection can reignite your passion and remind you why you chose this path.

Prompt for Reflection: As you reflect on your week, what small, meaningful moments stand out? Was there a time when a student’s progress or gratitude reminded you of your 'why'? Perhaps a quiet smile, a confident answer, or a simple 'thank you' that made the challenges feel a little lighter?

Invitation to Connect: Share one of these powerful moments on Instagram or in a supportive teacher community – your story might inspire another teacher to reconnect with their purpose.

Resilience Beyond the Buzzwords – Finding What Truly Sustains You

While self-care is important, resilience goes deeper than quick fixes. It’s about finding strength in your purpose, setting gentle boundaries, and choosing where to invest your energy. Research suggests that real, lasting resilience comes not just from individual acts of self-preservation, but from a sense of personal efficacy and meaningful connection (Reducing Teacher Stress and Burnout Through Self-Efficacy, 2024).

Simple Practices for Personal Resilience:

Let Go of Perfectionism – Perfectionism can be a heavy burden. Allow yourself to let go of the myth that every lesson needs to be flawless. Sometimes, a spontaneous, authentic moment with a student is more impactful than a perfectly polished lesson.
Set Gentle Boundaries – Learn to say no to extra responsibilities that don’t align with your core purpose, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Protect your energy for what truly matters – the relationships you build, the moments of connection, and the small wins that often go unnoticed.
Create Moments of Stillness – Whether it’s a slow sip of tea in the morning, a walk through a quiet part of the playground, or a few deep breaths before the next class, small, grounding pauses can create pockets of calm within a busy day.
Develop a Post-Work Transition Ritual – Find a simple, meaningful way to mark the end of your workday. This might be changing out of your work clothes, listening to a favourite podcast, or spending a few minutes outside to clear your mind. These small rituals help you mentally shift from ‘teacher mode’ to ‘personal time’ and reduce lingering work stress.

Prompt for Reflection: What if, just for today, you let go of the need to be perfect? What small, real moment this week brought you a sense of joy or connection – a shared laugh, a breakthrough in understanding, or a gentle nod of recognition?

Invitation to Connect: Share a small, imperfect teaching moment that brought you joy – your honesty could be a gentle reminder to others that perfection isn’t the goal.

Conclusion – Choosing Hope, Even in Uncertainty

Hope is not a passive thing – it’s a choice we make, even in the face of uncertainty. It’s the decision to keep caring, to keep showing up, and to keep believing in the power of small, meaningful moments. In those moments – when a struggling student finally gets it, when a simple act of kindness brightens a tough day, or when a lesson sparks genuine curiosity – lies the real impact of your work.

Never underestimate the difference you make, even on the hardest days. Your care, your patience, and your passion for teaching leave a lasting mark.

Wishing you strength, calm, and small moments of connection,

Liz 💛

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