The Many Hats of Teaching

By. Meredith Biesinger

Do you remember the children’s book “Go Dog Go?” It’s a childhood favorite of mine! In this book, one of the female dogs keeps popping up every few pages and asks the other dogs, “Do you like my hat?” Sometimes they like her hat, and sometimes they don’t.

Teachers wear many different hats each day. Often there are hats we enjoy wearing, and other times we wish we could put a different type of hat on.

Educators plan and teach curriculum every day. They are also actively invested in their students’ lives, from academic skills to basic needs, such as ensuring that their students are appropriately clothed. Many teachers keep a “warm clothes closet” based on donations for students who might not have winter coats or long pants to wear. Or, making sure their students have breakfast and lunch, as those might be the only meals they have this week—and if their school has the funds and supplies, they discreetly stuff backpacks on Friday afternoons to make sure those students have some extra food for the weekend too.

Teachers listen to their students share happy thoughts and sad thoughts. They accommodate different learning styles while ensuring good behavior and trying to meet academic or IEP goals. Teachers often help colleagues with their curriculum and students. Due to technology, teachers are constantly communicating with parents or trying to connect with parents who won’t communicate at all.

Teachers advocate for their students, not only academically but their overall well-being. Sometimes the only place a student feels loved or wanted is at school. Many hats are being put on and taken off during the day, but a teacher’s “caring hat” is constant.

So, how do we connect with our students and help them feel loved while teaching them everything they need to know while also maintaining a level of professionalism? Consider journaling.

Journaling for any age is a way for students to express emotion while allowing you to get to know them better. Other benefits of journaling include:

Improves Mental Health

Encourages Self-Confidence

Boosts Emotional Intelligence

Helps with Achieving Goals

Inspires Creativity

Boosts Memory

Enhances Critical Thinking Skills Whatever hat you might have on right now, please know that it is appreciated!