Living (Teaching) in a Dead Environment

by Joe A. Martin, Jr. Ed.D.

A fellow teacher recently wrote me concerning her negative work environment. At her wits end, she asked for any suggestions on how she could keep herself motivated in spite of the “toxic environment” in which she found herself surrounded. Below is my response to her dilemma:

As for your concern about the work environment you're in, I can definitely relate. I too was in a similar environment. Unfortunately, you only have a few options -- either you can choose to leave the work environment for greener pastures; you can look to change the work environment from within; or you can sit back and wait for the work environment to change on its own.

Personally, if I can't physically leave (i.e., change environments), I concentrate on what I CAN control, which is my own attitude within the environment. Although it's easier said than done, you have to generate your own joy and inspire your own change. That task alone is a difficult one, but one you have to come to grips with. Waiting on others to change is futile and a waste of valuable energy on your part.

...continued

So, the question is how do you change yourself and your attitude, so you can survive a less than inspiring workplace? Here are some simple steps:

1. Find at least one other passionate person on your job whom you can rely on for moral and emotional support. And try to communicate with this person at least once a day (at the minimum -- once every other day). All it takes is one passionate partner to keep you going (i.e., give you a spark). Now, if you can't find at least one positive person on your at your school (he or she doesn't even have to be at the same school – though that’s preferable), then maybe you DO need to consider leaving that environment and finding another school. Even if you stay, you're going to die (emotionally) anyway – and it will be a slow death.

2. Keep track of your victories. Save letters, notes, email, or whatever you receive from others who have been touched by your work, service, and commitment. I call this "my medicine cabinet." Whenever I start feeling down -- yes, I DO get down, I pick up something out of my medicine cabinet (it's actually a file cabinet). I should change the name of it to "the miracle cabinet," because it’s truly a miracle on how it instantly changes my attitude.

3. Refuse to concede a victory. This may seem strange, but whenever I see my work environment and the people in it starting to get the best of me, I start talking to myself (we all do it). I say to myself, "Joe, if you give in to their negativity, and refuse to give anything but your best, then THEY win and your STUDENTS lose." I didn't say that "I" lose, but “my students” lose. I'm getting paid regardless of my work environment, but my students are depending on my attitude for survival. I can't afford to let my students down in or outside of the classroom. Don't let "them" (the negative people) win.

These three tips have served me well over the last nine years, and that's how I've been able to "keep the fire burning." You can do it too. The choice is up to you. And whether you choose to win, give in, or give up, students will ultimately be impacted (positively or negatively). The great poet, Maya Angelou once said , "If you don’t like something, then change it; and if you can't change it, then change your attitude." Ain’t that the truth?

I hope this helps. Know that your next decision will determine your destiny. And remember, students are depending on YOUR attitude. So choose a good one.

How to Motivate a Negative Teacher

Handling In-House School Conflict

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