How to Reignite Your Passion for Teaching | E7

Season #1

This episode of the PBL Simplified podcast is about how to reignite your passion for teaching. The host acknowledges that teaching is tough and can lead to burnout. He offers several tips to help you love teaching again.

  • Tip 1: Reflect on your "why." Remember why you became a teacher in the first place. What are the moments in teaching that have made you feel most alive? The host shares a personal story about a former student named Skyler, whose life was changed by Project Based Learning. He encourages listeners to journal about the moments in teaching that have made them feel most alive.
  • Tip 2: Find joy in the small wins. Celebrate the small victories in your day. The host recommends using a gratitude journal to write down five things you are thankful for each day.
  • Tip 3: Reconnect with your students. The host suggests forming a student voice team or rotating a small group of students to meet with you during lunch to discuss what they are enjoying.
  • Tip 4: Reignite creativity. Try something new in your classroom. The host shares an example of a handshake workshop he did with his students. He also encourages listeners to try new PBL moves and workshops.
  • Tip 5: Collaborate with your peers. Have a teacher support network and make time to connect with colleagues.
  • Tip 6: Seek out professional growth. Attend a conference or workshop, read a new book, or listen to a podcast.
  • Ryan encourages listeners to share their wins at pblshare.com and enter to win a gratitude journal. He also recommends listening to our interview with Hope Alexander, a former PBL student who is now a PBL teacher. The next episode will feature an interview with Kyle Anderson, a teacher in Michigan.

Key takeaways:

  • Reflect on your why.
  • Celebrate small wins.
  • Re-engage with your passion for teaching.

Call to action: