This time of the year brings much notice to the toils of teaching.

As a first-year teacher, I struggled. I struggled a lot. I struggled with my students, figuring out expectations and navigating a new place, piecing together years of woven notes in teaching guides and curriculum, and simply decoding the masses of abbreviated educational terms and committee names within the school district. With my struggle came uncertainty. Teaching can be lonely, especially at the beginning.

Coupled with demands for perfection both from within and from (what seems to be) the perception of the world, the worries can be all encompassing. It is no wonder teachers have such hard jobs (but only teachers truly know the depth of this phrase).

But, teachers press on. While reflection is necessary, I quickly learned that there was really no time for reflection (unless I made time, and let’s face it — I didn’t). I didn’t know I was struggling until it was pointed out to me through the ever elusive, painfully brief observation known as a walk-through.

Me? I take a negative and let it fly. It leads my life for a number of days, weeks, maybe even months until I receive the next negative to dwell on. Sometimes I am even pretty good at balancing two negatives as driving insecurities.

And then I retreat. Standing up for myself, showcasing strengths, or waking up to a fresh start seems out of reach. I’m not worth it. I’m not good enough.

My first year as a teacher felt hard. But I knew it wasn’t supposed to be easy. This was just part of the struggle every teacher has.

Or was it?

In one of my darkest days, one of my previous supervisors who also had been a principal in the building where I taught stopped by. He saw me. I mean, he saw me. Although I was in the midst of scurrying to get ready for my students, he came over and looked at me, nodded, and gave me a hug. What he said next has resonated with me since. It impacted me more than I would know in that moment. He said,

“You are good enough.”

I broke into tears. I needed positive encouragement — something to replace the negatives that I felt blaring around me in that moment. I needed to be seen.

Teachers, can I encourage you?

When you…

• feel struck by negativity this year,
• crash land a lesson,
• forget it’s picture day,
• are new to a building,
• feel embarrassed to ask what an abbreviation stands for,
• struggle with the day-to-day balance of confidence and insecurities,
• have students who are equally struggling,
• jam the copier for the third time,
• have a door closed to a new opportunity,
• feel pulled between the guilt that comes with working and being a mom or dad,
• experience a personal struggle,
• see your students hurt,
• receive criticism, or
• simply feel at rock bottom juggling it all—

…you are good enough.

Maybe you worry this wasn’t the best fit. Maybe this year you don’t have the resources or support you need. Maybe you have a uniquely crafted class. Maybe you get pointed feedback or a gentle, yet misguided suggestion from a parent in your first week. Maybe you don’t have an encourager in your corner. And worse — maybe you don’t feel like you stack up.

You are good enough.

Genesis 50:20

“God untangled my need for approval with the challenge to live for an audience of One.” — Lysa TerKeurst

Meet Guest Blogger Leah Innis

I live in West Des Moines with my husband, Josh, and two sons — Luke, age 4, and Owen, age 1. We survived a 10-day trip to three locations this summer, which should earn an award for parents of young children. I have nine years experience teaching and working with students at the elementary level. Although I stay home with my children now, I have the opportunity to be involved in education from a new perspective. I hope that my words can encourage teachers beginning a new school year. There is so much to joy in teaching, even through the hard days.