A Letter to My Future Teacher Self
Dear Future Me,
When the days get busy and the pressure piles up—remember this: learning takes time. Not just for your students, but for you too.
FPPL #7 has grounded me more times than I can count during my teaching journey so far. It’s the principle I remind myself of when a student doesn’t “get it” right away, or when a lesson doesn’t land the way I hoped it would. Growth doesn’t always follow a straight line or happen on our schedule—and that’s okay. Learning is about becoming, and becoming takes time.
I’ve seen this in real ways during my practicums. I’ve watched students struggle with new concepts one day and then totally surprise me the next week. I’ve seen shy students slowly open up when given space and consistency. The best moments have always come after time, trust, and patience—not pressure.
You won’t always see progress right away. Sometimes, you’ll plant seeds that won’t grow until long after the lesson is over. That’s still success. Be patient—with them and with yourself.
Also, don’t forget that meaningful relationships take time too. Connection doesn’t happen overnight. Keep showing up, keep listening, and let things unfold at their own pace.
So Future Me—breathe. Make space for slow growth. Celebrate the small steps. And always, always believe in your students’ capacity to grow in their own time.
With care,
You (in your teacher-to-be era)