How to Survive as an Introverted Teacher
Confession time. I’m exhausted. At the end of each and every day, I’m exhausted. I’m not just tired. I’m exhausted, spent, and done.
I’m introverted. I always have been introverted and I always will be introverted.
And, yet, I chose to become a teacher.
Before I got married, I had a ton of energy for my classroom. I always went above and beyond, attended workshops, presented professional development on the weekends, and gave my all to my students and classroom.
I was able to tap into the extroverted part of myself, teaching my students during the day and restoring my energy each evening and weekend.
Now that I have two little people at home (currently ages 3 & 5), my ability to get alone time each evening is slim and possibly non-existent. I go home each day to boy energy. One of my boys is introverted, we can already tell, but he’s still a boy. He enjoys his quiet activities, but also wants to play and interact with me when I get home.
I am not getting any downtime in the evenings or weekends that recharges me. I need to start scheduling a setting aside intentional time to refocus, relax, and recharge. This downtime is not just something that is nice to have. I’m realizing that I need it to survive. Or at least survive with some sanity.
Here are nine tips on how to survive as a teacher when you’re introverted. I keep adding to the list, so I know there are more ideas out there that resonate with people. These are a few that have worked for me. Feel free to leave a comment about what works for you.
1. Get plenty of sleep
This has been a big one for me since having kids. I have been so drained for the past five years from a lack of sleep. Having two kiddos, one is generally up at night at some point. Two nights ago, no one woke up and I felt so much better that morning than I had in a long time, despite having to get up early for work. I know this is a somewhat temporary thing. There will be a time when I won’t be able to wake the boys up.
2. Decompress Each Evening to Meet Your Introverted Needs
I try to take about 20 minutes when I get home from work each day to unpack my stuff, go through the mail, and just settle into being home. I’m not met with that luxury every day, but a couple of days a week, it happens. It just helps me refocus and reframe my attention from work to school.
Each evening, I also sit in bed and read for a good 20 minutes before I go to sleep. I do this almost every night, despite how tired I am. Reading is an escape for me and it helps create a small moment of downtime.
3. Start Each Morning with Some Quiet Time
This one has been really hard since having kids and working full-time. Before kids, I used to wake up each morning, make coffee, and sit down with my Bible and journal. I haven’t done that too often in the past few years and I can see it taking a toll on my overall day and ability to handle life. This is one I need to re-implement into my daily routine. It just gives me time to reflect on the day before I start the business of it.
4. Exercise
Again, another element that I need to re-establish. Generally, exercise can be an isolating activity. If I can find some time during the day, I just need to lock myself away for 20 minutes or go for a 20-minute run. Despite the health benefits, exercising also gives me time to focus inward, think, and reflect.
5. Create an Ebb and Flow to the School Day
This is a key one for me. It took me a couple of years of teaching before I realized how important this was for me and my students. I intentionally create downtime during the day for my students to work on things independently, where I’m not teaching and talking to everyone.
I know that’s a shock, for a teacher not to be teaching all day long. However, what this allows me to do is observe my students. I can sit and watch how students are interacting with each other, who is getting along with whom, and who needs a bit more encouragement. This time also allows me to breathe a bit. I’m not talking about a lot of time, but ten minutes here and there throughout the day makes a big difference.
I also do a lot of small group work, rather than whole-class direct instruction. I don’t mean that I make student work in small groups, all the time, although they do work with partners some of the time, I mean that I meet with small groups more often than I do direct instruction. This allows me to better focus on individual students than I can when I see 24 bodies in front of me.
6. Take a Couple of Minutes at Lunch or Recess to be Alone
I am very conscious of my break times. I generally try not to keep students in at recess and lunch times. I’m a firm believer that children need to be outside playing as much as possible. I also eat my lunch quickly and go back to my room for the last 10 minutes of my lunch break in order to set up for the afternoon or just sit and think. It really helps me get through the afternoons.
7. Schedule Time with Friends
One, if I schedule it, I can mentally prepare for it. I know it’s going to happen and have time to set myself up for it. I can plan downtime around it.
Two, if it’s not scheduled I won’t do it. I’m not someone who seeks out friendships right now. I did earlier in my life, before marriage and kids. But now, I just don’t have it in me to be a good friend and give of myself to someone else. I don’t have the energy to create new deep friendships. But, I do try to maintain some of my old friendships. This takes purposeful scheduling, though.
8. Plan Your Day
This is echoed through some of the other suggestions. The more confident I am in what I’m teaching (i.e.: the more that I’ve planned something), the less mental energy it takes to present the lessons. I don’t have to mentally prepare for the delivery of lessons and teaching becomes second nature. This has gotten better as I’ve taught for more years. However, I still plan as well as possible, so I don’t have to think about what I’m going to teach at the moment.
9. Find a Friend at Your School
Being introverted, I need one-on-one connections way more than I need group connections. It has really helped me to connect with one or two people at my school site individually. Having a friend to decompress with, complain to, or just talk to has helped me feel not so alone, even though I consciously know that I need the alone time.
Have you seen this Ted Talk by Susan Cain? It’s not a new video, but really gives a good picture of introversion and how it is not valued in our society. However, 1/3 of our population is introverted, including students in our classroom.
Are you introverted and a teacher? How do you cope? What strategies have you found that work for you?
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Thank you so much for writing this article! I am always curious to know how other introverted teachers manage. I can definitely relate to the exhaustion at the end of the day and I’ve noticed that on days when I can’t get alone time on my break I feel much more tired later. One of my main coping mechanisms is getting lost in a good book that is unrelated to my everyday life. It forces me to slow down, concentrate on what I am doing plus provides a good cover story as to why I wasn’t at event x, y or z.
I love getting lost in good books. Often, when I read in the evenings, I stay up way too late getting to know the characters in the latest novel I’m reading. Before kids, I used to spend hours reading on the weekends. Maybe once my boys are reading, they’ll want to dive into good books, too!
Yes, I confess I am an introvert too! I am currently a math coach and it allows me time to think independently and plan more so that I did when a classroom teacher. I can relate though that I get lost in my job and don’t plan fun friend times. I have to schedule them. I tend to do this sort of planning on days when I’m on a break like spring break or summer etc.
I have to deliberately plan time with friends! I’d never see them, if I didn’t. Breaks are the perfect time for me to schedule that time, too. I can really focus on them without feeling overwhelmed.
This post could not have come at a better time! I am a pre-student teacher…and also a huge introvert! I love teaching but the more time I spend in the field the more I realize that I’m going to HAVE to develop some strategies to help me re-cooperate after those long days of extroverting. I was beginning to think that maybe I chose the wrong profession., but your words gave me hope. Thank you for your lovely post. 🙂 It’s nice to hear that I’m not alone and I don’t need to rethink my career choice!
Feel the same as you. Also a student teacher.
Did also felt maybe I am in the wrong profession.
Still do. Good to know I am not the only one that suffer as an introvert. Need to find strategies to help me cope. Maybe this is the way here. Extroverts probably will never understands us.
So true. I’m a teacher and also introverted. My extroverted colleague don’t understand me. They say I’m so quite and need to talk more. Not to mention some of them labelled me as strange and weird. I only have a few friends at the office and it’s killing me because some of them shun me away. Why is it so hard living as introvert?
This is the story of my life! Every detail- two boys (18 months and 4), husband, christian, everything! Like we need to talk. My husband is extraverted. He doesn’t understand me and how I have no energy to do anything. This article has helped me put into words truth and understanding about myself. I don’t have a lot of friends at work. I do have 2 that I can talk to, And one specifically that I can talk to about anything. I think one of my boys is introverted and the other like his dad. The introverted one is happy to play alone, cuddles, relaxes with me, but sometimes only wants me. So omg. I’m exhausted! Thank you for writing this and making me feel…. Normal. ( btw I reflected on a time I was in bootcamp and how good I felt. I told my husband I’m going back when I finish school next month) can’t wait!
This is great advice. I struggle with this daily, and my more naturally extroverted teacher friends just don’t understand. It is exhausting to be “on” all day long. I definitely agree with #5, and I think I’ve done this with my schedule without even realizing it! I’m a new follower. =)
This article came at just the right time for me! I’m a total introvert that also has anxiety, and both have seemed to be getting the best of me lately. It takes every bit of effort for me to be fully present for my students, and even they can tell when I’m drained at the end of the day. I’d say at least 75% of the time I come home and immediately take a nap, which is something I’m only able to do because I don’t have kids of my own yet.
I had been feeling discouraged as a first year teacher because I wasn’t sure that an introvert like myself was truly meant for this job, but it’s nice to see that I’m not alone. I know God puts things like this right in my face to remind me that I need to stay on my current path, so thank you for providing this wonderful encouragement!
Love! This is totally me. A few ways I cope:
1. Leave work at work- I have a very sweet hubby that lets me stay one late night a week so that I can prep and work without friendly interruptions from other teachers. Being able to work without interruptions really helps my creativity to flow and I get more done in 5 hours on a Thursday night then staying until 5 each day. Added bonus, when I am home I am home and I don’t stress about work.
2. Drive to work in silence- I have time to think and mentally prepare for the day’s noise.
3. Consider your lunchtime-Choose days to eat by myself and days to eat in the lounge with other teachers. I need both so I find balance.
4. Schedule fun time- I get energy from dinner out with a couple of gal pals or a date with my hubby. I also get energy from crafting by my self for a few hours late at night. What ever it is that makes you happy to be alive, do it!
Great article. However, why do moms of
only boys always need to say things like ‘boy energy’ and ‘he’s still a boy’ – I have four children (2 of each) and they are all energetic.
I find this is a tendency amongst mothers of only boys. Girls can be off the wall too….this form of gender stereotyping should be in the past by now.
I agree. Gender stereotyping – especially by other teachers and parents is outdated. Both genders can be rambunctious!
Aside from that this is an excellent article! I concur with the staying late one night and also with limiting staff room time (sometimes us introverts just need quiet!)
I agree!
I am a high school teacher, and this still really applies. Building in independent or partner work really helps, as does having very consistent routines. I have three kids, pregnant with #4, so I am really drained by the end of the day. My kids have a routine, too, which involves them having a snack and a tv show after school while I have a break in the other room. It is just enough for me to get my head back in the game for all our evening things going on.
It’s amazing to me that, at the ripe old age of 30-something, I am still learning things about myself! I knew I was an introvert, and obviously I know I’m a teacher, but I did not connect those two to explain why I feel the way I do at the end of the day. Thank you for writing this and for helping me to understand that I’m not, in fact, crazy. 🙂
This article really made me feel so much better! I feel like the teacher-world is full of blogs where they seem to have it all together – the most creative ideas, smiling children, perfect data. They all seem like superwomen and I give them so much credit, but every one I read makes me feel like I just don’t stack up. However, I realized that I have amazing things going on in my classroom every day, I am just more of an introvert and try keep things quietly running smoothly as much as I can. After seven years in the classroom, I thought I would be 100% confident! Your tips for an introverted teacher are ones that I will definitely try to incorporate each day.
You said that you meet with small groups more than whole-group instruction, and I love the idea! I feel that would really help me be more in tune to what each student needs…can you please share what you have the rest of the class doing while you are in small groups throughout the day? I have center time once a day, but I wonder if I could keep my first graders learning if I did more.
Thank you so much for your time and article!
Dear Jessica, Don’t for get to” schedule” time with your little boys. Long after they are grown, you will still have the teaching and reading and everything else you want to do. But you will miss them being little. When they say, “Mom, look at this!”, stop what you’re doing and be with them for a while. I remember those days when it seemed like I was always tired, but now that my children are grown, the only thing I miss about those days is my children when they were small. I can remember saying, “in a minute”, or “not right now”. Now I have time for reading and exercising all I want.
I am an introverted first year teacher. I have a few friends at school, but a lot of the others find me different. I am friendly in passing, but I do not reach out to socialize with the others. I have always been an introvert and I can definitely relate to the exhaustion part of it. My fiance enjoys weight lifting and he is more extroverted…he usually gets to talking at the gym and the introvert in me just wants to go home and decompress. Exercising certainly does clear my mind and help me to reset for the next day.
This is something I absolutely relate to! I don’t have kids which I imagine would just exhaust me to no end. I’ve moved away from my home province a few months ago and am struggling with being away from that one great friend you talk about. I’m introvert but I miss having that person around who truly gets me. My boyfriend is amazing but doesn’t understand why I get so cranky when I don’t get me time.
I have a different schedule because I work for a private school, but in my long tiring days I schedule in a Yin Yoga class for just me. I love Yin because it really allows you to settle into each pose. Exercise is a big one for me, if I don’t take the time to workout, in very am
Ooopsie! I pressed send too quickly!
Exercise is a big one for me, if I don’t take the time to workout, I’m very anxious and short with people.
Another big one is organization! I’ve made my students a schedule of what we do every day and since I’ve made that I’ve felt a weight lift off my shoulders.
Finally I Love a good book, but I also love a mindless movie that I can just get lost in. I love not having to think about anything and juat being able to enjoy the film.
“Quiet” by Susan Cain is a GREAT book, both for introverts and teachers / parents of introverts. It was insightful into my very soul. Thanks for this article – helpful, as another of those introverted teachers 🙂
I can 100 % relate to this article. I too have been teaching for a while and now have a 2 and 4 year old. However I do not think this is about extrovert vs. introvert. I am an introvert too, but not very profoundly. But I think that even as an extrovert I would still be tired, is just the nature of the job, we are on our feet, we talk all day (with the occasional movie clip and independent work we have kids do) then we come home to our second job. I do feel that my life before kids was a different life,and today I am at peace with my much crazier, busier and more tired life. But I treasure all time off we have as teachers and I suck every minute of it with my family.
Jessica,
I just loved your post! My favorite one was creating an ebb and flow to your day. After I discovered how valuable this was it has made a huge difference to my teaching and stress and the learning that the children are experiencing. :0
Shelley
I can relate to most of what you you shared, Jessica. I tend to stay in my quiet classroom during recess and lunch to recharge a bit, with the lights off and only natural sunlight. This is year I am teaching 3rd grade (a change from K and 1st) and I found myself not so exhausted at the end of the day because they are able to work a bit more independently, which gives me that down time, to just observe or work 1-on1 or with small groups. I definitely need to get back to exercise and yoga, but hard to fit that in with a 4 and 5 year old at home. And I must confess that at this point working full-time is too much for me, so I work part-time. Maybe when my kids are older I’ll figure out how to balance full-time teaching with everything else. Thanks for the article and I loved reading all the comments.
Great article! Totally resonates with me. I am definitely an introvert! In my last job, I had a 25 minute drive to and from work and I loved that time. It was just that little bit of stillness before the chaos of the day, to prepare for my lessons and get in the zone. Then the journey home was invaluable for calming down and making the transition to leaving work at work and getting home. I never realised how valuable this time was until we sold my car and my husband would drop me off and pick me up. I mean, I love the man but I really noticed how much I missed my alone-time commute. Thanks for sharing all this so eloquently!
Hi! It was nice to read your post! I’ve been reconsidering my choice to become a teacher as someone pointed out that I couldn’t be a teacher “with THAT quiet voice”. I began to seriously question if I ever could be a teacher, like I have always dreamed. I know that Introverted doesn’t always mean quiet, but can you relate? Did you ever doubt you’d be able to teach?
I am introverted and finished the teaching program 5 years ago and never taught. Still at my manual labour job, I’m considering giving it another go. I was so beat in the program practicum. Thanks for the posts!
I absolutely loved this article. I could have written it myself. I concur with everything you wrote. I was just talking to my husband about the ebb and flow to my day. If I didn’t have my classroom set up so that it ebbs and flows I would be absolutely exhausted at the end of the day. Even though everyday is a struggle, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love that I’ve discovered ways to recharge and use my weaknesses as strengths. Since I know that I do NOT like being around a lot people, I teach Special Education which has smaller class sizes. Having only a small group of students gives me the chance to get to know them on a deeper level. I am going to re-blog this (with full credit, of course). Thank you for writing this post.
Hi Leila! I’m a very introverted student majoring in Special Education (for now). Smaller class sizes sounds like a giant plus, along with many other factors, but what about dealing with the students’ parents? There’s a lot more concern in this field compared to regular education. Is dealing with parents a problem for you being an introvert? I do not mind dealing with people as long as it’s academic and not small talk :p
I know this is a late response, but am very curious about the field. Thanks!
No, parents haven’t been an issue for me in relation to being an introvert. It’s more about finding strategic ways to have downtime on a daily basis.
Cameron, the student’s parents can be an issue. I’ve had parents from hell and I’ve had wonderful parents. It’s all about building relationships. I’m sorry to inform you that there is sometimes much small talk involved. It’s sometimes draining but it makes your job easier. When the parents are on your side and you have their support, you find that the students behave better. I have a lot to tell you. I’ll have to email you personally.
Wooooo. I thought I was just crazy. I’m called “antisocial” and “loner”. I never have energy which makes me grumpy. I really need to work on my ebb and flow!
I have been teaching middle school for nearly 20 years, and like you, I used to put so much time and energy into it–even ran a hiking club on weekends as a volunteer. Now I am a mom of two (adopted at ages 6 & 8), and I have been moved from teaching ELD to teaching language arts, which means my class sizes have gone up 10-15 kids. I am really struggling with the lack of down time, and I find it much harder to connect to 35 students than I did with 22, so after all this time I am losing confidence in my professional skills. I need to implement more of your ideas. It does help me a lot to have a great working partnership with my teammate next door. I also often take a half hour or so when I’m done with work to do some vegging out or me stuff BEFORE I go home to the kids–which is exactly what I’m doing right now, actually! I also make a conscious decision each day whether I will have music or silence in the car, depending on which will be more helpful. Thank you for an illuminating post!
Thank you for writing this article! I can completely identify! No wonder I have been so exhausted all these years. I have been teaching for almost eight years and have been married and with kids for 5-6 of those years. We live and work in New York City, so there is lots of noise, constant activity, little space and little privacy! Wow! What a setting for an introvert, huh? Like you, I miss my books and I especially miss quiet time journaling with the Bible, I live in a house where everyone else is an energetic extrovert and I’m the mommy and wife who has to keep up with them. I’m always sleep-deprived, find little time to exercise and find myself overwhelmed by ever increasing demands at work. I find great pleasure in my interactions with the kids and social interactions outside of work because I know that people and relationships are of great value. However,as much as I might enjoy them, these interactions do not recharge me — only quiet alone time can do that. Being that I do not yet feel that my family is complete and am hoping to have another baby . . . when will that chance to recharge ever come around again? Crazy! Anyway, thanks for giving me someone to identify with and realize that I am not alone.
I’ve been teaching in Japan for 4 years.
The language barrier used to be an issue when I worked at a school. But now, even where my lessons are mostly one-on-one I still feel drained.
I also moved into a sharehouse.
I didn’t really see myself as an introvert but I’m starting to realise that’s definitely what I am. I feel quite anxious about making conversation and feel like I’m never good or exciting enough. And it takes me a while to build up a good, comfortable level with people.
I read your article at a time where I felt like something was wrong with me and I felt quite down. But in reality I just need to understand, respect and try to balance my needs!
Thank you so much for writing this!
You’re welcome! I wrote it at an especially draining time last spring. I know I’m not the only introverted teacher. It has definitely gotten harder to balance it all as I’ve gotten older and now have a family. We so need it, though!
thanks! I am definitely an introvert, but I was afraid my Multiple Sclerosis was slowing me down too much until I read your post. It’s nice to know that others need down time to recharge, and I’m not THAT different. Being introverted and having MS is often difficult for my husband (an extrovert!) to understand
You just saved my dreams! I’m a 36 yo mom in Holland wanting to become a teacher. In a couple of days I have an admission exam. But, I still worry about my choice, being the introverted-ADD-livingalonewithkids-mom I am. A friend of mine, also an introvert, is a kindergarten teacher. She gave me some tips and told me about her experiences but your post really helps me a lot. I can do this. I just need to know and learn how to handle (and use!) my ADD and introverted personality!
Oh, and the ebb & flow part just made my day. My kids summer vacation started yesterday, today I talked to hem about dividing our time and energy the next 6 weeks: we do fun stuff together BUT we have personal time as well when we just do something for ourselves (also know as leave mommy alone-time, but they don’t know that haha). Tomorrow I will talk to them again (a daily reminder is needed) and I will call it ebb-time and flow-time, they’re gonna love that and it’s a very good reminder for me why we do things like that, especially in a long vacation with hardly any alone time for me. I love them but I love being alone a LOT as well.
What I am wondering is – how do you “deal” with all the social activities of the staff? All the “sharing” at meetings? All the conferences where there is SO much mingling? How do you go to and participate in all these things as a introvert when all ‘you’ want to do is stay at home and recharge (or be with family)??
I didn’t have much of that at my school, which I was kinda thankful for and kinda disappointed about. We met as a grade level once a month and had a staff meeting once a month. There was no money for conferences. I wish we had collaborated more, but at the same time, I was glad we didn’t. It’s never gonna be perfect. You just do what you can.
You’re lucky. At my school we have grade level meetings every week. Add to these meetings for individualized education plans, faculty meetings, book fair night, McDonald’s fundraiser nights, etc. and you can see why my work (lesson plans, grading) falls behind. My energy level is low during the week. I get home drained. Recharging involves a nap, reading yahoo.com, a snack, exercise–then I’m me again!
I feel so connected to this article and to you! I feel I could have written this. I also have two boys, am a teacher, christian, have an extroverted husband, and I am a total introvert. I used to think I was just a weird person. Why do I enjoy alone time so much? Now I understand it is just the person I am and will always be. I get my ME time at 4:30 in the morning. I purposely wake up 1 1/2 hours before I leave my house for work just to enjoy a cup of coffee alone! It recharges me and without this time I wouldn’t have the energy I need for the day. I hate big group gatherings and have had the same small group of friends since high school. I don’t have time or energy to make new friends and I am totally OK with that!
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for this! I totally relate. Recently I’ve been thinking quite a bit about what it looks like to be a great teacher as an introvert. I want to be totally engaged in the classroom but I see myself going through cycles of being “on” and then burning out quickly. The “ebb and flow” is important. I will definitely try out these ideas!
OH MY GOSH! I had never connected the two things until now… and now I’m shouting “DUH!” I teach preschool at an early learning center for 8 hours each day and I am utterly exhausted. I always thought it was just the kids and having to get up early, but now that I’ve read this, it makes so much more sense, because at the end of the day, I’m like “OMG don’t talk to me, leave me alone, stop fighting!” (Obviously not saying that to children…) So yeah. This was immensely helpful!
Thank you for this blog! I’m an anxious introvert & always feel like the odd one out. I hate staff room chit chat & find talking in large groups (of adults) daunting & embarrassing. I’m exhausted every day & my mind never switches off. My self confidence is extremely low & battle with feelings of inadequacy even though I’m told daily that I’m good at what I do. It would be so much easier being an extrovert!
Sometimes I think that, too, but I’m not sure the grass is always greener on the other side. I often think it is, but it just holds a different kind of stress that I don’t see until I get there. I know I have to learn to live wherever I’m at to the best of my ability. It’s a constant struggle.
I am an introvert who was moved from 3rd and 4th graders down to 1st. I am miserable, grumpy, and anxious because of this switch. It’s amazing how just a couple of grade levels can really make such a difference in my energy and happiness levels.
Great article. I am an introvert who teaches middle school math. The 30 minutes of alone time at lunch is so important for my sanity. It took me a while as a new teacher to get over the feeling that I had to go socialize with all the other teachers in the lounge at lunch.
I love the suggestions and especially the quiet time in the morning… I’ve been struggling with that especially because I have no energy to wake up 🙁 I wanted to suggest an app for you called First 5. It’s an alarm clock and a daily devotional. Allows you to start off your day with God and I find that it really sets the tone for the rest of the day!
What a great idea! Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll take a look at that app!
Hello. I just wanted to say that writing this post was a very good idea. It gives hope to other teachers with the same personality. I’m supposed to be a CSE teacher but the only job I ever got was with a group of children from 3 to 12 years of age. It seems that the younger they are the more they focus their attention on the teacher. They even wanted to dress like me. Well, it was just 2 months and I managed to complete that period somehow. Some “teachers” I had at university would never believe it. According to them teachers can’t be shy and/or introvert. Ha!
Hi, I just wanted to say that I have found this article to be a really interesting read. I am currently looking into becoming a Teacher and the only thing that keeps pulling me back is the fact that I am an Introvert. I didn’t know if you could be a good teacher as well as being introverted but this article has really helped me so thank you.
Wow! I was browsing the net about “Teaching as a profession” when I randomly came across this article. And am glad I did! I didn’t know what’s weird; being an introvert lawyer in the corporate world or an introvert teacher. But coming across your article and reading various comments from fellow introverts, I realised Teaching best suits me. Speaking from experience because I once had the opportunity to teach albeit for a very brief time and currently working in the corporate field, I often feel weird and with no sense of belonging because of having to deal with different people often times! But I totally feel comfortable and myself the moment I am teaching and many people told me am good with teaching kids! So, thanks to this article and learning about how to cope as an introverted teacher, I intend to go into full time teaching soon and hopefully still be my introverted self.
Thank you for your honest input on your article. I am in my 18th year, and feel more tired than I ever have in my teaching career. I strive to do all that you talked about, but somehow each week my focus gets lost. I am going to really try to A. get more sleep B. Exercise each day C. Incorporate some me time!
Thanks for sharing your ideas Jessica. For me some days can be really stressful since I teach and also do administrative duties. I am happy when the weekend comes. I can get more sleep time. Luckily for me my children are all grown up.
However I need to create some more me time since I spend a lot of hours marking or preparing children’s work.
NB I enjoy my own company most times.
I cannot thank you enough for this post. It absolutely explained my life to me and made me feel like you were my best friend having a chat and making me feel so much better! It was so empowering to realise that there are others out there who feel the same as me. After reading your post, I already feel much happier – especially since I love my job more than any other – but all jobs have aspects that need to be managed. I’ve never commented on a blog before, but this one was so outstanding and has changed the way I see myself that I had to say ‘thankyou’! So glad I follow you.
Hi! I referenced this post in one I just wrote about being an introverted teacher: https://thosewhocanteachblog.com/2016/04/09/being-an-introverted-teacher-in-an-overwhelmingly-extroverted-profession/
Thanks for writing about this topic! It helps to know there are so many of us who exist 🙂
Thank you so much for this! Wow! A friend sent it to me. I have felt for years that something is wrong with me because I don’t have the desires to socialize every break and after school with my colleagues. Literally, I dread the “Lets get drinks and Happy Hour” on Fridays. So nice to be invited, but I need down time. Just to decompress and collect my thoughts. It’s so hard to set boundaries while working with all extroverts. They get upset. So I constantly feel I need justify my down time or make excuse. Plan and simple … I need to recharge to be the best me I can be to my students at work and of course my family.
I am a full time teacher and a single parent to a six year old son. I’m also naturally introverted. It’s a daily challenge to stay in balance and I loved your article. I do all of those things you mentioned and also do a lot of small group work with my Year One students. I am perpetually weary but it is getting gradually easier as my son gets older and he rarely wakes at night now. I am thankful for my ten years of teaching before I had him to fall back on when times get tough and there is silly not enough time to get everything done as you’d like it to be ideally done. Your article was encouraging and helpful, man thanks!
Hi Jessica! I am a childhood education grad student who just completed my research study / thesis on introverted teachers before coming across this post! It’s incredible how perfectly your comments and strategies paralleled those of the introverted teacher participants in my study. I’m so glad to have come across your site! I too am an introvert soon to be entering the world of teaching, which is what piqued my interest in my study. I’d be happy to share my final study if interested.
Thank you for writing this. I am preparing to student teach next year and I am an introvert. I’ve been wondering how I will handle the fast-paced, communication-based career of a teacher. It is so wonderful to know there are so many other introverted teachers out there. It makes me feel less intimidated by the prospect of always being surrounded by people!
I have read this article at least twice, but I NEEDED it tonight. I have a student teacher this year, and I looove her, but I need an alone recharge mid day and again after school before heading home to my lovelies. I love mentoring the next generation of teachers, but I will need to step away next year so that I can have that introvert time.
I agree with all of your tips. As an introverted teacher I have to say it has gotten easier with experience.