superteacher

Schools are not exempt to the poor economy and unemployment.  Public schools are paid for by your taxes, but private schools must raise their own money.  This is usually done by charging enrollment fees and hosting fundraisers.  Sadly, if the school does not attract enough students or raise enough money they are forced to close.  Such is the fate of the school I worked at this past year. 

Once again I am unemployed and forced back into the teacher job fairs I wrote about last time.  During unsure and frustrating times such as this I must calm myself before getting too upset.  I accomplish this a number of ways. 

1. I think of all the struggles I have overcome in the past.  I made it through six years of college with three majors, I survived a serious car crash, and have taught well for four years so far.  If I can make it through all of that in the past I can make it through whatever the future has in store for me.

2. I have a lot for which to be grateful.  Even though I might have lost my teaching job I have a supportive extended family, a few very close friends from college, a nice apartment, and a wonderful girlfriend.  It may be a cliche claim but I also have my health.  When I begin feeling sorry for myself I remember these things and I make my way through the day with a smile.

3.  I help others less fortunate.  There are thousands of people who do not have those things I listed under number two.  Rather than just thinking, “At least I’m not like them,” I take time out to help others.  Most recently I have signed up for a fundraising walk for hunger.  This way, even though I am not currently teaching I am making a positive difference in the world.  This sure beats vegging on the couch watching daytime television like some of my other unemployed friends.

4. There are hundreds of people who seem to have everything but are still unhappy.  Every day I see stories of lottery winners who’s personal lives fall apart because of the money.  Celebraties are rich and famous but they need to deal with the press and the pressure.  This often ends with drug abuse, rehab, and sometimes even poverty.

5. I remain healthy.  Some people tend to overeat or eat poorly when they are depressed.  They are sad so they seek out “comfort foods” such as things that have been deep fried or covered in salt & sugar.  Then they crash in front of the television like some of my jobless friends because they feel helpless.  This ends up with them having less energy, gaining more weight, and becoming even more helpless and pathetic.  When I feel sad about the job situation I take out an hour to exercise and eat fruit.  At the end of that hour I may still not have another teaching job but I have more energy and look better.

6.  Become Zen and appreciate simple things.  Don’t coop yourself up in your messy house or apartment.  Get out and enjoy the sun, or walk through the forest preserves.  Nature has an amazing power to calm you and lift your emotions back up.

Even though I am going through a tough time I hope that I can help others going through their own tough times.  So let me be that voice in your head that says, “You can make it.  Things aren’t so bad.  This too shall pass.”

Trackback URI | Comments RSS