Welcome, Transformational Teacher,
Today, I want to celebrate you for completing another school year. Before you rush into summer plans, let’s pause and reflect on how God has carried you through this season.
In this episode, you’ll be guided to reflect on:
Reflection Questions:
Encouragement: As you reflect, remember God’s faithfulness in every detail. Your impact this year was Kingdom-seeded, and the lives you’ve touched will carry your love and lessons forward.
Explore More: Visit TheTransformationalTeacher.com for Christian teacher prayers, reflections, and resources to help you rest, reset, and prepare for the upcoming year with clarity and peace.
Connect & Share: Instagram: @thetransformationalteacher I’d love to hear what you’re doing this summer. DM me or email me, and I may share your ideas to encourage our teacher community.
Subscribe & Share: Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of faith-filled teacher encouragement and reflection. Share this with a teacher friend who needs to pause and reflect on God’s faithfulness this year.
Hey Transformational Teacher and welcome to the Transformational Teacher Podcast.
Speaker A:I am your host Detoya and I am so thankful for you being a part of my community.
Speaker A:On this podcast we will talk about faith, mindset and self care.
Speaker A:Today I celebrate you for completing another school year.
Speaker A:And as this school year has come to an end, I encourage you to take some time to reflect over this year.
Speaker A:But what better way to do this than together?
Speaker A:We are going to do it right now on this episode.
Speaker A:And again to those teachers that are still inside the classroom know we are cheering you on.
Speaker A:We are praying for you.
Speaker A:Continue to trust God and allow him to lead and guide you along the right pathway and all will be well.
Speaker A:So we are going to get started.
Speaker A:Let's start by reflecting on this past school year.
Speaker A:Think about the moments that have touched your heart, the challenges that you have overcame, the victories you've celebrated.
Speaker A:On this school year.
Speaker A:Take a moment to recall that specific testimony or story that stands out to you.
Speaker A:Maybe it was a student who made significant progress or a lesson that went really well.
Speaker A:Or maybe a time where you used really great self control.
Speaker A:Maybe it was a time where you helped to de escalate a situation instead of making it worse.
Speaker A:Celebrate those things that went really well.
Speaker A:Reflect on how God has been present I along your teaching journey.
Speaker A:Yes, even on those challenging days.
Speaker A:The good thing about God is that he is always right there wanting to help you.
Speaker A:He is willing to help you.
Speaker A:We just have to receive his help, release control, allow him to take over and allow him to guide and direct our footsteps.
Speaker A:So again we're going to take time to reflect.
Speaker A:I'm going to share two testimonies with you.
Speaker A:One was about the curriculum we used this year.
Speaker A:This was our first year using the curriculum and in the beginning it was very challenging.
Speaker A:I've been teaching for about 16 years and this year I felt like a first year teacher because this curriculum, it had to be like.
Speaker A:It had me just like okay, what is this?
Speaker A:It was times where I would be teaching.
Speaker A:I felt like it wasn't effective because I felt like I didn't know what I was talking about.
Speaker A:But I had to trust the process.
Speaker A:I had to learn the curriculum.
Speaker A:I had to realize this is your first time doing this.
Speaker A:Give yourself some grace.
Speaker A:Give grace but also dig in and learn this curriculum as much as you can.
Speaker A:So as we went throughout the school year I got better and better and I'm actually looking forward to going into next year teaching this curriculum.
Speaker A:And even at the end of the year we had observation and and the pre K specialist that came in, she even noticed the growth that I had made and the growth that my students made.
Speaker A:The next testimony it is about my students.
Speaker A:They all made so much growth.
Speaker A:And this one student I believe, I'm sure I talked about him before but in the beginning, this little boy, he refused to come in.
Speaker A:Sometimes when we were outside, he would fall out on the floor, he would climb on the tables, he'd be under the tables, as we're trying to teach, he's running around the trying to prevent us from teaching.
Speaker A:So it was a mess.
Speaker A:And that little boy, he changed.
Speaker A:And in that little boy changing, I grew.
Speaker A:And the amazing thing was just the growth that took place in myself, the growth that took place in my co teacher, the growth that took place in our students.
Speaker A:Cuz there were things that we had to do behind the scenes.
Speaker A:So prayer played a vital role in the shift that took place inside of my classroom.
Speaker A:And God's guidance leading us to certain people to help us inside the classroom, getting certain things in place, you know, learning how to connect with this little boy and really take that time to build relationship with him.
Speaker A:Now he still has work that he needs to do, just like I still have work.
Speaker A:I'm a work in progress.
Speaker A:But this little boy, from the beginning of the year until the end made huge progress.
Speaker A:He was able to sit down during group time, he was learning and he was no longer climbing on the tables and doing some of those things that he did in the beginning of the year.
Speaker A:So I celebrate those things.
Speaker A:Now it's your turn.
Speaker A:I encourage you to either pause this episode, take time to reflect on those things, or you can do it later.
Speaker A:But I really encourage you, take that time to reflect even as I'm talking, think about those things that you went really well in your classroom.
Speaker A:We're going to keep going while things are still fresh.
Speaker A:I also encourage you to think about the strategies that helped you maintain your energy and enthusiasm throughout the school year.
Speaker A:What were your top two to three goals?
Speaker A:Go to.
Speaker A:Methods for staying motivated and effective.
Speaker A:Was it a particular teaching strategy?
Speaker A:A classroom management technique?
Speaker A:Was it something that you did outside of work that helped to, you know, help with your energy and help with your enthusiasm to go inside that classroom day after day?
Speaker A:Because we know that as teachers sometimes we may feel drained at the end of the day and how do you refill yourself?
Speaker A:One of the things that really helped me, it was taking those moments to where I just sit with God and allow him to minister to me, allow him to fill me back up from the day that I had listening to worship music, singing, you know, certain songs, going to and praying certain scriptures.
Speaker A:And one thing that helped me too was going to the gym.
Speaker A:Now I've never been a big fan of the gym.
Speaker A:I always, you know, had memberships here and there, but can't say I was always consistent.
Speaker A:But this year I, I was more consistent because I seen how it helped me because going to the gym, it was a way for me to get refilled.
Speaker A:And also it was a time where I was able to spend time with God even while I was walking on the treadmill because I would often read a book or I would listen to inspirational message, a podcast, a message from my pastor and things to that nature.
Speaker A:So again, jot those things down.
Speaker A:Now we're going to briefly talk about, since we're talking about stress a little bit already, we're going to talk about how did you manage stress that may have came from work or life in general?
Speaker A:I would say managing stress is a big part of your teaching journey because if you don't combat it and if you allow stress to overtake you, then you're not going to be as productive as you could be.
Speaker A:You're not going to be as present as you need to be.
Speaker A:So I encourage you, go ahead and reflect on the tools and strategies that helped you manage stress and the workload from this year.
Speaker A:Again, what worked for you?
Speaker A:Maybe it was setting boundaries, making sure you have your morning time with Jesus, seeking support from co workers.
Speaker A:Hey, even if you don't think you handled stress well this year, what do you think could help you this upcoming school year?
Speaker A:Take a moment, write down your thoughts and consider how you can implement or seek out those tools and resources this summer or when you are in the back to school planning mode.
Speaker A:Now we are going to talk about how you can rest, reset and recharge throughout the summer.
Speaker A:Now of course we're not going to spend that much time on it, but I want you to start thinking about these things because we are almost at July and we want to make sure we utilize our summer to the best that we can.
Speaker A:Consider these questions.
Speaker A:How can you rest and recharge this summer?
Speaker A:What activities help you feel rejuvenated?
Speaker A:Perhaps it's spending time with God, taking a walk, reading a good book, or simply taking time.
Speaker A:For you, it could be watching tv.
Speaker A:A lot of these things can also be combined together and I will talk about that a little later.
Speaker A:I encourage you to create a summer self care plan.
Speaker A:Write down a few activities that you can incorporate into your routine to help you rest, reset and recharge.
Speaker A:Some of the things that I have been doing is again, going to the gym.
Speaker A:I never would have thought that this would have been something that I would do as consistent as I'm doing it.
Speaker A:But I thank you God for helping me with it and helping me to see the need in it.
Speaker A:I have been for the last few weeks going to the gym at least five days out of the week in and then for 30 minutes.
Speaker A:And while I'm there, I've been reading, praying, listening to worship music, doing something that is going to help me physically by working out, but also that's going to help me spiritually and help my mindset.
Speaker A:And then again, spending more time with God, spending time with family and friends, going to my favorite coffee shops, I love a coffee shop, and watching TV are some of the things that I have been doing that has been very beneficial for me.
Speaker A:So again, take time out to write out those things that you desire to do.
Speaker A:If you desire to go on a trip, write that down, go ahead and plan it, pencil it in.
Speaker A:Even if it's a day trip, do something that you really want to do this summer.
Speaker A:Also, if there's some professional development classes that you feel you should take, take them.
Speaker A:Yes, we're on, you know, our summer break.
Speaker A:But also utilize this time to where you can grow, grow and be effective for that upcoming school year.
Speaker A:Again, I would love for you to share some of these things that you are doing with me so I can share with others.
Speaker A:So feel free to send me a message on Instagram, send me an email and be sure to join us for our next monthly prayer and encouragement chat that takes place in July.
Speaker A:All the information will be in the show notes and you can always, always head to teaching with Jesus.com to connect with me more because I am looking forward to connecting with you.
Speaker A:So let's wrap this episode up.
Speaker A:Again.
Speaker A:I want to thank you for the impact that you have made on another group of students and thank you for joining me and taking this time out to reflect over this past school year.
Speaker A:So let's pray.
Speaker A:Well, Heavenly Father, we thank you right now.
Speaker A:We thank you Lord just for who you are.
Speaker A:We thank you for being such a good, good father to us.
Speaker A:We thank you Lord for loving us the way that you love us.
Speaker A:We thank you Lord God for your faithfulness, Lord we thank you Lord God just for being who you are.
Speaker A:We thank you how you have helped us on this journey, Lord God, of this past school year.
Speaker A:Lord, we thank you that you never left our side, but you were always right there helping us throughout the year.
Speaker A:I pray, Lord God, reveal, Lord God, highlight those things, Lord God, that we need to take in, Lord God, to next year and reveal those things that we need to leave at your feet.
Speaker A:Those things that we need to lay at the cross.
Speaker A:I pray that we have the strength, Lord God, and we're disciplined enough to put it at your feet and not pick it back up, Lord.
Speaker A:So I thank you, Father for that.
Speaker A:I think as we journey throughout this summer that we will rest, we will reset, we will be recharged, Lord God, so we can enjoy our summer and also so we can be ready to go in to this next school year, Lord God, ready to fulfill the assignment that you have given unto us to fulfill.
Speaker A:I pray, Lord God, as they are placing students, Lord God, I pray that they place them, oh God, in the right classes.
Speaker A:I pray that teachers are placed in the right grade levels, Lord God, if there's any teachers, oh God, that need to be moved around, move them around, Lord I thank you, Lord God, that you have your way, Lord.
Speaker A:I pray, Lord God for your protection, Lord God, being upon every teacher, Lord God, every staff member, Lord God, I pray, Lord God for those who need health, healing and wholeness.
Speaker A:I pray, Lord God, that it springs forth now in the name of Jesus.
Speaker A:I pray, Lord God for those individuals, Lord God, that may be going through trauma, Lord God, may be dealing with something that's difficult, Lord God, for them, I pray, Lord God, they see that you are there to help them.
Speaker A:I pray, Lord God, they see seek out, Lord God, help, Lord God from the right individuals, Lord God, I pray, Lord God that they receive sound counseling, Lord God, I pray, Lord God that your perfect will be done, Lord God, in their lives.
Speaker A:Those that are grieving, Lord God, I pray that you will that they receive your comfort.
Speaker A:They receive your love, Father.
Speaker A:And I just pray, Lord God, that you just continue to have that we allow you to continue to have your way in our lives and we give you our honor and glory.
Speaker A:In Jesus name I pray.
Speaker A:Amen.