Transcript

Hey Teacher Friends. I'm Antoine McCoy and welcome to the Teacher Support Network podcast. Today I want to speak directly to the tired teacher, the overwhelmed teacher, and that educator who's not sure if they're making a difference anymore. If that's you and you're feeling a little worn down, then this episode is for you.

We're gonna talk about perseverance, especially when you're not seeing the results of your hard work yet. Today, I want to encourage you from the scripture that has been on my heart for a while during my quiet time with God. I've shared this with friends and family members recently who have been having a hard time, and I want to share it with you today the scripture from the Book of Galatians, chapter six, verse nine (Galatians 6:9).

And it reads, “Let us not grow weary in doing good for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!” Let me read that again. “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Even if you don't consider yourself religious or a person of faith this scripture verse really resonates on a human level. 

For anyone feeling weary and overwhelmed, it's a reminder that the good we do, especially the unseen,  patient, exhausting, kind- really matters. It builds something bigger than what we can see right now. So let's be honest. Teaching can feel like planting seeds and dry ground at times, especially when students struggle academically, socially, have challenging behaviors, or even trauma.

Sometimes we see big gains in students right away. But more often than not, progress in these areas is slow. Sometimes you may even feel like you're pouring from an empty cup with very little or nothing to give. But what if the small, intentional things you do every day in the classroom with your students like,  teaching new skills, setting up the proper procedures and routines, reviewing and reteaching them, active listening, and showing up with compassion and empathy for your students, are all planting something powerful in the hearts and minds of your students? 

What if the harvest results and growth isn't immediate, but will come with time and consistent action. Now, I wanna say that again. What if the harvest, the results, and the growth that we're looking to see isn't immediate, but it will come with time and consistent action?  

So here are a few ways you can carry this encouraging verse with you into your day-to-day routine.

First, start your day by reading Galatians 6:9 and even recite it out loud. Let the power of these words set the tone for the day and be a reminder that you're doing good work, even if you don't see all the results immediately. 

Second, change the way you view frustrations during the school day when things feel tough. Start asking yourself, what seeds am I planting at this moment that will have a positive impact on my students later? 

Third, model resilience for your students. Your students are watching how you respond to difficulty, so show them what perseverance can look like. By how you respond to challenges, help show them what it means to keep going and how to keep trying when they experience academic and social difficulties teaching them that productive struggle is something they all need to learn.  You can do that by how you model your own resilience in the classroom.

Finally, check in with your support system. Find a teacher friend or colleague and check in with each other regularly. Send each other encouraging text messages or emails throughout the week reminding each other to not grow weary and to continue to do the good works for your students. Those little reminders and the support you have with each other, holding each other accountable, can go a long way in changing the tone and mood of your day and their day as well.

I know you're tired, but you're not alone and your work is not wasted. Every lesson taught, every IEP meeting conducted, every moment of grace you extend..It's all sowing season to the future of your students. That harvest may not come this quarter, trimester, or semester, but it will come. 

The harvest may not look like big increases in test scores. Sometimes it's just a shift in the child's confidence, a breakthrough in behavior, a quick moment of connection, or…a student who finally gets it after weeks and weeks of struggle, or just a moment of calm on a chaotic day. Whatever it is, keep going.

So in closing, remember this scripture verse of encouragement from Galatians chapter six, verse nine. Let us not grow weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up! So my teacher friend, you're doing good. You may feel weary, but you're not alone. Like I said earlier, what you're planting now will grow. Just don't give up. 

If this resonated and encouraged you today, would you share this episode with another teacher/educator friend who could use a lift in their week and a little ray of hope as they go through their day-to-day responsibilities.

Before you go, make sure you visit the show notes page for this episode for resources and links to connect with me on my social media platforms.

That's it for now. Until next time, be encouraged and may God richly bless you in this week ahead. Bye for now.

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