It’s Not Business as Usual in Education
It’s a difficult time to be an educator. The entire world seems to be dealing with emotional issues, and as society works through the current chaos, educators are being asked to carry on as if it’s business as usual.
To my fellow educators, you know better.
To those outside the classroom who think they know what’s going on: I’ve got news for you—you don’t.
Students Are Living in a World Without Anchors
The students entering our classrooms are navigating a world that feels completely unanchored. And that’s from my perspective as a fairly grounded 40-something-year-old. I can’t imagine what this world must feel like to a 14-year-old.
What I can see are the effects of this reality on their emotions, learning, and everyday life. I also see the ripple effects on the educators tasked with guiding, teaching, and supporting these young people through the storm.
The Answer to Burnout Is Joy
I believe the solution to the stress, pressure, and hardship that educators are experiencing right now is simple, but powerful:
Find joy in everything we do.
If you just thought, “There’s no joy in what I do,” I challenge that belief. You’re in control of your space. You’re in control of your joy.
We can commit to making schools joyful, engaging places.
School should be fun.
Learning should be exciting.
And joy should be the rule, not the exception.
We Don’t Work for Politicians,We Work for Kids
I don’t care if some politician wants my job to be only about data, growth, and achievement.
I don’t work for them.
I work for kids.
I serve families.
And I know without a doubt that school can and should be fun.
I can have a blast at work. You can too. We all can.
Together, we can create incredible student and staff experiences.
It starts with a commitment to finding joy in the journey.
Joy Isn’t Optional—It’s Foundational
Educators, we are in direct control of the joy we and our students experience.
If we decide our classrooms are going to be amazing, they will be.
If focusing on joy means doing one less worksheet, so be it.
When students and staff feel joy, they thrive.
Emotional wellness fuels learning. Joy makes curiosity come alive. And when we center our classrooms on feeling and connection first, achievement follows.
It all begins with emotions.
Not the other way around.
Let’s Make School Joyful—Together
I’m for education.
I’m for teachers.
I’m for spreading the message that school can be an amazing, joy-filled experience. I know it’s possible, and I want to help and hear from anyone who shares this mission.
Join the Conversation
Please feel free to share your story in the comments below. How are you bringing joy to your school or classroom?
🎤 Conference Shoutout
I recently presented on this topic at the National Schools to Watch Conference, and I’d especially love to hear from those who attended the session. I would love for anyone to comment with their thoughts or the purposeful things that they are doing to bring joy to their journey.
🧑🏫 Let’s continue the journey together by sharing the wins, the stories, and the magic moments that remind us why we love this work.
Miles O'Shea 